Westell Announces New Wireless Gateway With Smart Antenna Technology

Aurora, IL -- Westell Technologies, Inc. announces the development of the new VersaLink ADSL2+ wireless gateway featuring SmartBeam technology. The patented beam technology typically doubles signal strength over traditional antenna solutions while minimizing interference between other wireless devices. The announcement marks Westell's continued focus on IP-enabled devices to support the delivery of advanced carrier services such as wireless home networking, VoIP, IPTV and advanced IMS-based services. Westell will showcase the VersaLink Gateway with SmartBeam technology at Westell's Booth #21025 at the Telecommunications Industry Association's (TIA) GLOBALCOMM 2006 to be held at Chicago's McCormick Place, June 5-7.

Westell's SmartBeam is a system of virtual antennas that automatically steer signal strength for the best connection with every wireless device in the home. Whereas conventional wireless antennas send and receive signals equally in every direction, SmartBeam monitors the network connection and redirects antenna power for maximum performance and minimum interference. When SmartBeam senses a change in the wireless network, it adapts to the new environment by automatically selecting the ideal antenna combination.

Westell's VersaLink Gateway, which has been shipping to major U.S. carriers since 2004, has also received the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Quality of Service (QoS) certification, which is a set of features for Wi-Fi networks that improve the user experience for audio, video and voice applications by prioritizing data traffic. The new VersaLink can now combine Ethernet QoS and Wi-Fi QoS to assure prioritization of multimedia traffic over best effort data traffic regardless of having a wired or wireless connection to the broadband network. By using an integrated, standards-based system, the new VersaLink is an extremely reliable and flexible gateway that will accommodate a broad range of carrier requirements for triple play service delivery.

"We are excited to announce the additions of SmartBeam technology and WMM multimedia QoS certification to our VersaLink wireless gateway product line," said Scott Voegele, Westell's Product Line Director. "The combination of a smart antenna and integrated wired and wireless QoS makes the new VersaLink an extremely dependable gateway that increases the reach, throughput and dependability of data, voice and video transmission," he said.

SOURCE: Westell Technologies, Inc.