Digi, Qualcomm to Promote Wireless M2M Designs Incorporating Gobi Technology

(Business News & Technology News, 10 Dec 2009)

Digi International's wireless consulting group and embedded cellular integrator Spectrum Design Solutions is developing machine-to-machine (M2M) designs using Qualcomm's Gobi modules and working with Qualcomm to promote such M2M designs and Qualcomm's Gobi technology. Gobi technology provides global, multi-mode 3G connectivity for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) networks in a single module. This enables a device such as an embedded gateway to support multiple cellular networks for data connectivity throughout the world and minimizes risk by allowing customers to support a different standard in the future than initially selected. Spectrum expects to help customers reduce time-to-market of Gobi-enabled wireless M2M products by up to 50 percent.

"Gobi modules enable a device to access virtually any leading 3G cellular network," said Mike Fette, Vice President of Business Development, Spectrum Design Solutions. "There is strong demand from M2M device manufacturers for multi-network support. This relationship makes Gobi technology more accessible for the M2M space. Spectrum's experience and know how of the intricate certification process guarantees one of the fastest and most efficient paths to market for device manufacturers."

"We find that M2M device manufacturers aren't necessarily wireless experts," said Bruce York, Business Development Manager of 7 layers, an accredited laboratory for cellular certification. "They often need a lot of support from us during the complex certification process. So it can be extremely valuable to have a center of excellence such as Spectrum leveraging Qualcomm technology to assist manufacturers before they come to the stage of final product certification."

Gobi modules provide affordable 3G connectivity for numerous applications including energy, industrial, agriculture, retail, financial and building automation. With more than 50 engineers and 500 collective years of embedded hardware, software and RF design experience, Spectrum has successfully enabled customers to build millions of cellular devices. Spectrum has the lab facilities, experience and equipment necessary to pre-scan custom cellular designs to make cellular certification easier, faster and more efficient.

"Gobi is the first embedded mobile wireless solution to allow multi-network support," said Beau Beck, Senior Director, Wireless Connectivity at Qualcomm. "This provides global connectivity for the enterprise and greater flexibility for device deployment. Spectrum's extensive cellular certification expertise will help organizations more rapidly deploy this technology for M2M applications."