Symmetricom Delivers Industry's First Small Cell Synchronization Solutions

LONDON and SAN JOSE, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Symmetricom®, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYMM), a worldwide leader in precision time and frequency technologies, today introduced new embedded timing and synchronization solutions for residential and enterprise small cells. Available in two versions, the SCr (residential) and SCe (enterprise) SoftClocks support multiple timing protocols including IEEE 1588 (PTP), network time protocol (NTP) and softGPS. This unprecedented software synchronization solution for small cells leverages existing hardware resources in the system design to support a variety of backhaul types and associated requirements. 

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Small cells are increasingly an essential element of the wireless infrastructure, injecting increased capacity and coverage in high bandwidth consumption areas where end-users reside and/or congregate. Synchronization of these small cells along with macro base stations is crucial to maintaining seamless end-user experience. Services such as voice call hand-off, video reception and location-based services are negatively impacted when synchronization parameters are not adhered to as set forth by the 3GPP.

The software based SoftClock offerings from Symmetricom allow small cell designers to execute a single base design with options to integrate one or more synchronization protocols for deployment in varied network topologies. Network operators benefit with this multi-standard timing and synchronization flexibility of the SoftClock by having a solution that can be deployed with multiple types of backhaul and quality of service, enhancing the end-user experience and minimizing customer churn. This approach reduces overall costs, enhances time to market, and provides execution flexibility.

"As small cells are rolled out in the different home, enterprise and public access domains, different synchronization solutions will be required to support them," said Patrick Donegan, senior analyst, Heavy Reading. "Anything that can be done to simplify the deployment and operation of those different solutions provides a significant value proposition to the network operator."

Symmetricom's SCr and SCe Small Cell SoftClock solutions have been integrated and proven with leading processors, system software, and oscillators from prominent vendors such as Broadcom, Mindspeed, Qualcomm Atheros, Node-H, and Rakon, demonstrating solid market demand. This integration enables network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs) to complete their small cell system designs with lower risk and faster time to market.
Arcadyan, a Taiwan based global supplier of communications equipment, is the first ODM to have selected Symmetricom's timing solution for their small cell offering.

"Symmetricom is uniquely positioned to offer the industry's most comprehensive timing and synchronization offering specifically tailored for small cells in support of 3G and 4G/LTE rollouts," said Manish Gupta, vice president of marketing and business development for Symmetricom. "The SCr and SCe are the industry's only software-based timing and synchronization solutions that flexibly meet the demands of all network topologies, thus preparing operators for any future network upgrades."

This addition to Symmetricom's portfolio complements the existing SoftClock offering which provides multi-sync capabilities to support IEEE-1588, SyncE, GNSS and T1/E1 for networking infrastructure including, metro small cells, macro base stations, routers, switches and microwave backhaul. Symmetricom has the industry's broadest portfolio of timing and synchronization solutions representing all timing protocols, both embedded and systems based solutions that support the timing needs of all elements in the communications network. Symmetricom's newest small cell SoftClock offering now extends Symmetricom's reach beyond the core to the edge and the premise of the network.

For more information about Symmetricom's SCr and SCe Small Cell SoftClock solutions, please visit: http://www.symmetricom.com/products/softclocks/SoftClocks-for-Residential-and-Enterprise-Small-Cells/

About Symmetricom, Inc.

Symmetricom (NASDAQ:SYMM), a world leader in precise time solutions, sets the world's standard for time. The company generates, distributes and applies precise time for the communications, aerospace/defense, IT infrastructure and metrology industries. Symmetricom's customers, from communications service providers and network equipment manufacturers to governments and their suppliers worldwide, are able to build more reliable networks and systems by using the company's advanced timing technologies, atomic clocks, services and solutions. All products support today's precise timing standards, including GPS-based timing, IEEE 1588 (PTP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Synchronous Ethernet and DOCSIS® timing. Symmetricom is based in San Jose, Calif., with offices worldwide. For more information, visit: http://www.symmetricom.com or join the dialogue at http://www.twitter.com/symmetricom.

Symmetricom Small Cells Release Partner Quotes

Arcadyan
"Arcadyan selected Symmetricom's NTP software for our small cell products because of the company's leadership in timing solutions," said Hong-Yuh Lee, CEO of Arcadyan. "With a full range of wireless technologies and work with leading vendors like Symmetricom, we're equipped to accommodate the growth and demand for small cells. We see this as an important emerging market and realize the need for synchronization will be critical to its success."

Node-H
"We have been actively engaged with Symmetricom on the integration of our 3G stack in the context of various small cell designs and are very happy with the quality of the packet timing solution provided by Symmetricom," said Mike Cronin, CEO of Node-H. "Small cell vendors expect a complete software solution by combining our software with timing and synchronization from Symmetricom; we are delivering on that promise."

Mindspeed
"Timing and synchronization are key challenges for small cell base stations", said Rupert Baines, vice president of Marketing at Mindspeed, "As the recognized industry leaders in this space, we have worked closely with Symmetricom for some years now. Together we have integrated and optimized their solutions for both 3G and 4G, including the more challenging TD-LTE systems, to deliver the industry's highest-performing and most cost-optimized solutions. We look forward to building on current success to further co-operation in the future."

Rakon
"Oscillator characteristics and timing sync software need to be very tightly coupled to perform optimally and Symmetricom understands the key role  oscillators play in timing and sync solutions for small cells," said  Sinan Altug, director of Global Business Development and Applications of Rakon. "We selected Symmetricom because of the company's expertise in the field and after testing other offerings we found that its packet timing and soft GPS solution set for the small cell market best performs with our Pluto, Triton and Mercury oscillators."

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Symmetricom Contact:
Tracy Schriver
Symmetricom, Inc.
t: 707-636-1908
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Liam Rose
GolinHarris for Symmetricom
t:  415-318-4380
[email protected]

SOURCE Symmetricom, Inc.