Sequans Introduces LTE Interference Rejection Technology

New technology implemented on Sequans’ LTE chips can double network capacity

NEW ORLEANS — May 8, 2012 — 4G chipmaker Sequans Communications (NYSE: SQNS) has added new technology to its LTE chip platforms called Sequans AIR™ — Active Interference Rejection. Sequans AIR is an innovative interference mitigation algorithm implemented on Sequans’ chips for LTE end user devices. Sequans AIR can increase throughput up to 3.5 times for users at the cell edge and can increase network capacity up to 2 times if all user terminals are equipped with Sequans AIR. Sequans AIR was co-developed with technology partner ArrayComm, an industry leader in multi-antenna signal processing.

“LTE spectrum is limited and interference is becoming an issue for operators as network traffic increases,” said Bertrand Debray, Sequans CTO. “Although network-based interference mitigation techniques are specified in future releases of the LTE standard, these are not available today plus these are limited in how much interference they can remove. We designed Sequans AIR in response to this, and have developed a powerful interference solution that can be implemented on today’s LTE networks for significant benefits to end users and network operators.”

Sequans AIR is designed to work in any LTE network (TDD or FDD), regardless of eNode B, carrier frequency, or channel bandwidth. It works today on LTE Release 8 and 9 networks and will work on future Release 10 and 11 networks. Sequans AIR is designed into Sequans’ latest LTE platforms: Andromeda for LTE handsets and tablets and Mont Blanc for hostless USB dongles, CPE, M2M devices, and mobile hotspots. Sequans AIR represents the latest advances in interference mitigation techniques and works by forming a receive beam toward the useful signal, and spatial nulls in the direction of interfering signals.

“Sequans AIR has been tested and proven at the system level and at the link level,” said Debray. “It has been tested in numerous interference scenarios, using the various transmission modes of LTE, and even in the most challenging situations where there are numerous interfering signals to be rejected by only two UE antennas, the Sequans AIR receiver shows a significant gain, rejecting in some cases twice as much interference as the default receiver.”

Sequans has published a white paper detailing performance results and describing the full benefits of the Sequans AIR technology. Click here to download Mitigating Interference in LTE Networks with Sequans AIR – Active Interference Rejection.

See Sequans at International CTIA Wireless in New Orleans, May 8-10, booth 3110.

About Sequans Communications

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a 4G chipmaker, supplying LTE and WiMAX chips to original equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers worldwide. Founded in 2003 to address the WiMAX market, the company expanded in early 2009 to address the LTE market. Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices throughout the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. www.sequans.com;