US : Novatel Wireless announced it has secured its twenty-fifth patent, which supports intelligent inter-system roaming on multiple wireless networks, including W-WAN, W-LAN and W-PAN. Previously, Novatel Wireless announced that it had filed for several patent protections in connection with the Ovation™ 3G Multimedia Application Console portfolio and Conversa™ software suite.

The issuance of this patent reflects one of the unique elements conceived in that product portfolio. Novatel Wireless' development efforts on Ovation and Conversa have been underway in collaboration with operator customers, and the company expects the Ovation product family to significantly expand its addressable market and diversify its product portfolio upon commercial deployment, which is currently expected in mid-2005.

Novatel Wireless' latest patent encompasses a method for enabling wireless devices to efficiently discover the most ideal wireless connection possible, facilitating seamless roaming between Wi-Fi connections and other wireless broadband networks, such as 2.5G or 3G. This ultimately provides subscribers with the most cost effective connection and the best quality of service in any given geographic area. For example, if a laptop modem discovers Wi-Fi connectivity, the computer can automatically switch from W-WAN to the higher speed W-LAN or W-PAN alternative.

Currently, W-WAN/W-LAN multi-mode roaming devices are constantly scanning to find a higher-speed connection, an inefficient process which drains battery power. The new Novatel Wireless patent uses an innovative technique to conserve battery resources of any device by performing a conditional scan, rather than a continuous background scan.

The intelligent inter-system handoff patent also unveils smart technology that tracks the regular usage patterns of the subscriber by memorizing periodic modem usage activities and geographic locations. In a small office / home office setting, Ovation 3G Multimedia Application Console, integrated with the new technology, will allow peripheral devices to efficiently connect to the preferred network while minimizing device battery consumption by intelligently scanning for the optimal network.

"Novatel Wireless has always encouraged innovative thinking and placed a great deal of effort into wireless research and development activities," said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer of Novatel Wireless. "We are honored to have received our twenty-fifth patent, fueling industry-wide advancement."

The intelligent inter-system handoff patent was developed by Novatel Wireless' chief technology officer, Dr. Slim Souissi, who recently was appointed an Edwin Armstrong Fellow of Novatel Research Labs. Novatel Research Labs is an unincorporated research arm and honorarium of Novatel Wireless which promotes inventions at Novatel Wireless and in the telecommunications industry, administers Novatel Wireless' intellectual property rights, and sponsors technical publications and white papers. Novatel Research Labs is authorized to award fellowships in connection with Novatel Wireless' intellectual property program, and on December 10, 2004, Dr. Souissi was the first to be awarded an Edwin Armstrong Fellowship of Novatel Research Labs.

The Ovation Family of 3G Multimedia Application Consoles is a portfolio of stand-alone desktop consoles that unifies WWAN, WLAN and/or VoIP to provide cost-effective high speed wireless broadband access, optimal call routing and the delivery of multimedia applications. Ovation is powered by Conversa, a software suite developed by Novatel Wireless that will enable access to advanced software applications resulting from an innovative convergence of high-speed WWAN and WLAN technologies.
The Cutting Edge of Convergence...

Wireless Wide Area Networking * Wireless Local Area Networking * Voice & Data
The Conversa software suite will support innovative features that will allow Ovation to intelligently route voice and data communications, providing a rich end-user multimedia experience. Features and benefits of the Ovation portfolio powered by Conversa will include:

Features Benefits
Broadband WWAN Internet Access Wireless broadband access to the Internet, email, corporate networks and virtual private networks (VPNs)
Advanced WLAN Networking Connect multiple devices such as desktop PCs, laptops, landline phones and emerging WLAN-enabled devices to wireless broadband Internet access, printers, scanners and other peripheral devices from every office or room
Analog Voice Calling and Intelligent Routing Optimal routing of voice calls from landline or cordless telephones, depending on quality of service, at less than long distance landline rates
Multimedia Application Support Video conferencing, video streaming, voice recognition, video and cordless telephony, and video monitoring
Advanced Security Firewalls Safely and securely access email, the Internet and company documents and conduct secure teleconferencing
Protocol Flexibility Conversa software will support the Ovation platform operating on various network protocols such as UMTS, EDGE, EV-DO, HSDPA and WiMax
Devices Supported Landline telephones
Cordless telephones
Desktop PCs
WiFi enabled laptops
WLAN-enabled handsets and smartphones
Printers
Scanners
Other peripheral devices

Portability Multimedia access where you need it

Specifications for First Generation Ovation
Technology/Bands UMTS 2100 MHz
802.11b/g 2.4 GHz
Data Rates UMTS - 384 kbps downlink / 64 kbps uplink
802.11b/g - 11 Mbps / 54 Mbps
Dimensions 269 H x 203 W x 121 D mm with stand
256 H x 146 W x 39 D mm w/o stand
Weight 600 g
Form Factor Attractive injection molded plastic
Wall-mountable or convenient stand for desktop use
Antenna Built-in (integrated)
High efficiency UMTS broadband antenna
802.11 diversity antenna
Visual Indicator (LCD) 128x64 pixel backlit LCD
Connection Status
Message Notification
Time - 24 hour clock
Signal strength
Power Consumption Voltage 100-230v ~ 50-60Hz
15 Watts
Always On (user controlled)
Power Adapter: 5Vdc@3A
Environmental Operating temperature: 0 to +50oC
Humidity range 10% to 80% non-condensing
EMI shielding
Browsers Supported (sample list) Internet Explorer (version 6)
Netscape
Mozilla Firefox
Apple Safari
Network Related Over the air provisioning
VPN compatible
Always Connected
Automatic re-boot and network re-connect
User Interface Browser accessible interface for user configuration and status information
Timers/Counters Time based counter
Data byte counter
Security 128-bit WEP
Natural "NAT" firewall
Port and URL filtering
Standards/Specification 3GPP Release 99 specification
IEE 802.3/u 10BaseT/100BaseTx
IEEE 802.11g
Approvals/Certifications CE
System Requirements 10BaseT/100BaseT Ethernet port or
802.11b/g Wireless Ethernet
Internet browser software
TCP/IP protocol stack
Standard Package Contents Ovation Device
AC Adapter
Support stand
USIM card slot
Quick Start Guide
User Guide
3 meter Ethernet Cable