2001

PA Consulting Group develops all-software solution for UMTS base stations - 08 October 2001

PA Consulting Group, the leading management, systems and technology consulting firm, today announced it is developing an all-software solution for the core digital processing required within a Third Generation (3G) mobile communication base station.

The solution is targeted at UMTS - the dominant 3G standard - and is designed for the TigerSHARC^™ family of digital signal processor from Analog Devices Inc.,a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications.

Currently, a complex arrangement of dedicated electronics is used to implement most of the digital processing required within the core baseband section of the basestation using dedicated electronic components such as ASICs or FPGAs. Such systems are expensive and time consuming to develop, leading to high development costs and extended time to market. Flexibility is also very limited - a real problem because of the immaturity of the market and emerging standards.

By implementing the entire processing chain in software, PA's solution will reduce development costs, speed time to market and provide far more flexibility.

Alan Carr, a member of PA's Management Group, comments:

"We have implemented the software solution using advanced digital processing techniques, including new thinking on how to realise the baseband processing. Key to this is the utilisation of very high performance digital signal processors with an architecture designed specifically for this type of application. We have targeted our software solution at Analog Devices' newly released TigerSHARC^™ processor family."

PA's solution is also highly scalable, to suit large so-called macro-base stations right though to small shoebox sized microcell and picocell solutions, and it provides opportunities for better performance than can be achieved with conventional base stations.

This new technology will be available to base station manufacturers, network operators and all others interested in making a radical improvement to tomorrow's 3G performance.

-ends-

For more information, please contact:

Beverley Adams PA Consulting Group Cambridge Technology Centre Melbourn Royston SG8 6DP Tel: +44 1763 285260 E-mail: beverley.adams@paconsulting.com

Alan Carr PA Consulting Group Cambridge Technology Centre Melbourn Royston SG8 6DP Tel: +44 1763 267866 E-mail: alan.carr@paconsulting.com

Notes to editors

PA Consulting Group is a leading management, systems and technology consulting firm, with a unique combination of these capabilities. Established almost 60 years ago, and operating worldwide from over 40 offices in more than 20 countries, PA draws on the knowledge and experience of around 4,000 people, whose skills span the initial generation of ideas and insights all the way through to detailed implementation.

PA builds strategies for the creation and capture of shareholder and customer value, and helps clients accelerate business growth through innovation and the application of technology. PA works with clients to improve performance, mobilize human resources and deliver change effectively, including managing major projects, and designing and implementing enterprise-wide systems and full e-business solutions.

PA focuses on creating benefits for clients rather than merely proposing them, and this focus is supported by an outstanding implementation track record in every major industry and for governments around the world. PA also develops leading-edge technology both for its clients and within its own portfolio of venture companies in areas ranging from software to wireless technology to life sciences.

PA distinguishes itself from its competitors through the range and quality of its people, the depth of its industry insight, its development and use of technology, and also its independence and culture of respect, collaboration and flexibility in working with clients.

We are proud that our clients say 'PA makes it happen'.

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