White Paper:

xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits

for Wireless Operators
February, 2014

xG Technology, Inc. proprietary and confidential, copyright

20042014. Patents are pending on portions of this system.
No part of this document may be disclosed, copied, or used
for any other purpose without prior written consent from xG
Technology, Inc.

xG Technology, Inc.
7771 West Oakland Park Blvd.
Suite 231
Sunrise, FL 33351
www.xgtechnology.com

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CURRENT SITUATION .............................................................................................................................................. 3
XMAX MOBILE VOICE AND DATA OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................... 4
XMAX NETWORK COMPONENTS ............................................................................................................................ 4
KEY XMAX CAPABILITIES AND SUPPORTING FEATURES ......................................................................................... 5
CAPABILITY: INTEGRATED IP-BASED CELLULAR NETWORK FOR VOICE, DATA, CHAT AND VIDEO .................................................. 5
Supporting xMax Feature: End-to-end IP architecture and shared spectrum optimization ........................... 5
CAPABILITY: COGNITIVE OPERATION INCLUDING DSA AND INTERFERENCE MITIGATION ........................................................... 6
Supporting xMax Feature: Advanced cognitive sensing, signal and multi-spatial processing ....................... 6
CAPABILITY: EXTENDED RANGE, RELIABILITY AND THROUGHPUT WITH LOW POWER CONSUMPTION .......................................... 6
Supporting xMax Feature: Advanced antenna, PHY layer and software radio design ................................... 6
CAPABILITY: INTERFERENCE TOLERANCE, FREQUENCY REUSE AND HIGH LINK RELIABILITY ......................................................... 7
Supporting xMax Feature: MIMO, powerful DSP processing and advanced software design ....................... 7
CAPABILITY: XMAX SUPPORTS COTS END USER DEVICES .................................................................................................. 8
Supporting xMax Feature: xMod protocol bridge ........................................................................................... 8
CAPABILITY: NETWORK SCALABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY ....................................................................................................... 9
Supporting xMax Feature: xAP clusters, transmit/receive synchronization and DSA .................................... 9
SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................... 9
ABOUT XG TECHNOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................... 10

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

Current Situation
Wireless operators today are facing a dilemma. Customers are demanding more and more data applications to
be delivered on the go. However, the operator is using scarce expensive licensed spectrum that is
overburdened with delivering core voice services. Support for voice, data, location awareness, chat and other
applications are required for customers that are very mobile. The operator is facing a choice of acquiring
more licensed spectrum (if any is available) or losing customers due to demand for advanced services. xG
Technology has a solution to this dilemma of overwhelming demand for advanced applications versus lack of
spectrum.
xG Technology is developing an affordable mobile voice and data cellular system that operates in free
unlicensed bands using what is known as cognitive radio technology. Using cognitive (i.e., smart) radios and
advanced system and signal processing capabilities, the xG system makes unlicensed spectrum
communications as reliable as licensed band communications. This is made possible by effectively mitigating
the interference in the congested and chaotic unlicensed bands. Another advantage of xGs cognitive radio
approach is the reduction of the RF engineering the operator needs to deploy and maintain the system. A third
benefit of this system is the ability to reuse all the engineering going into smartphones, tablets and laptops
today. The xG system is designed to support these devices through a physical or WiFi connection. Finally, the
xG system is all-IP protocol based so that it can utilize COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) infrastructure
components for network connectivity, standard applications and established management interfaces.

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

xMax Mobile Voice and Data Overview

xMax is a mobile voice and data solution from xG Technology that has been designed to address the issues
raised above and more. In particular, it was designed with the following requirements in mind:
Leverages COTS end user devices including 3G and 4G smartphones, tablets and netbooks without
requiring licensed commercial frequencies.
Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and advanced interference mitigation to increase operational and
deployment flexibility.
Full cognitive networking capabilities including dynamic access and optimization of available spectrum
resources, as well as self-Radio Frequency (RF) planning and self-organizing.
A single end-to-end IP network architecture supporting mobile voice, wideband data, real time video, chat
and other apps.

xMax Network Components

Figure 1 xMax Mobile Cellular Network

The xMax mobile cellular solution leverages a standard cellular architecture with some notable
enhancements. The following are the major components of the system:
xMod: the xMod is a small radio that bridges the COTS end user device to the
wideband transport layer of the xMax system. Devices may be physically
tethered or connected via secure WiFi links to the xMod. The xMod can deliver
up to 1 to 2 Mbps to the connected end user device(s) under real world
conditions

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

xAP: the xAP acts as a compact, high-performance base station and wirelessly
connects to the xMod using the xMax cognitive networking waveform. Each xAP
can deliver up to 2 Mbps of total user bandwidth to its associated xMods. xAPs
may be deployed individually or in clusters of up to 9 xAPs to increase total
throughput.

xMSC: the xMSC acts as both a base station controller and aggregation point for the connected
xAPs. It performs routing and security functions, as well as proprietary mobile VoIP optimization
and compression. The xMSC is typically connected to the worldwide Internet and one or more
VoIP soft switches.

xMonitor/xDrive: these software tools provide

integrated and comprehensive network and element
management for the xMax network, as well as mobile
network throughput and coverage optimization.

Key xMax Capabilities and Supporting Features

Capability: Integrated IP-based cellular network for voice, data, chat and video
All voice, video, data (including geo-location info) is carried on a single integrated xMax network. Unlike other
4G networks that require separate networks for voice and data, xMax delivers a truly unified transport layer.
Its all-IP architecture leverages COTS routers and switches in place of proprietary, expensive network
infrastructure used in other mobile networks. Common IP-based apps (all smartphone and computer apps)
are supported over the network, while integration with legacy systems is greatly simplified.
Supporting xMax Feature: End-to-end IP architecture and shared spectrum optimization

All the components of the xMax system are IP based. COTS routers and switches are used as network
components. The xMax xAP supports both Ethernet and Fiber interfaces. Voice is transported as
mobile-optimized Voice over IP (VoIP), enabling the entire system to operate as a data packet network

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

but with full voice calling features. Standard SIP signaling supports integrated COTS voice switches
and gateways, or an external (cloud-based) switch/gateway service may be utilized.
The air interface between the xMod and xAP is an advanced Physical Layer (PHY) featuring OFDM
modulation and MIMO transmit and receive. This interface, combined with other xG innovations, was
optimized to provide licensed quality service in free, unlicensed spectrum. Since this is a shared
spectrum resource, implementing interference immunity and spectral efficiency was paramount for
commercial applications.

Capability: Cognitive operation including DSA and interference mitigation

xMax employs advanced cognitive radio and networking techniques, including Dynamic Spectrum Access to
provide reliable operation in unlicensed but interference prone spectrum. xMaxs Dynamic Spectrum Access
technology is frequency agnostic and can be re-tuned to operate in TV white spaces, unlicensed or licensed
commercial bands. Another benefit of xMaxs cognitive technology is that the network has the ability to selfconfigure and self-organize. This is planned to be further enhanced to support full meshing capabilities in
future xMax product releases.
Supporting xMax Feature: Advanced cognitive sensing, signal and multi-spatial processing

Real time RF sensing and dynamic spectrum access are the

cornerstones of xMax radio technology. The commercial xMax system
utilizes the 902-928 MHz band for license free operation. Using this
freely available band allows the xMax system to scan over 16 channels
for interference-free operation. Both the xAP and xMod devices are
frequency agile and have several built-in capabilities to mitigate
interference by first employing advanced signal/spatial processing as
well as dynamically switching channels to avoid overwhelming
interference or jamming.
Figure 2 Dynamic channel selection

Capability: Extended range, reliability and throughput with low power consumption
xMax uses a state-of-the-art Physical Layer implementation that maximizes range and reliability while
minimizing power consumption. The system continually self-adjusts to optimize the wireless communications
link. It was also designed so that end users and network infrastructure are capable of high mobility. The
patented technologies incorporated to support these capabilities also enable xMax to minimize power
consumption and maximize battery life while maintaining robust and secure connectivity.
Supporting xMax Feature: Advanced antenna, PHY layer and software radio design

The xMax PHY layer is designed with a proprietary 2x4 (two transmitters, four receivers per link)
multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna and radio configuration. This MIMO system enables
longer range, higher throughput and is a key enabler of the xMax interference mitigation technology.

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) and multi-spatial receive diversity is utilized over the 4
receivers/antennas to provide over 5 dB gain over non-MRC receivers.
The system uses orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) which is found in other state-ofthe-art wireless systems such as LTE, WiMAX, WiFi and other 4G+ solutions. The OFDM carrier spacing
and channel bandwidth are designed so that end user mobility is supported to over 65 mph. The xMax
system utilizes proprietary long OFDM symbols, which allow longer cyclic prefixes. This results in low
overhead and high usable throughput (as a percentage of total over the air bandwidth). The long prefix
design increases immunity to multipath interference found in harsh terrain and urban canyons.
The xMax PHY supports adaptive modulation with BPSK, QPSK, QAM16 and QAM64 modes that allow
the system to dynamically self-configure for the optimal combination of range, throughput and
interference rejection.
This combination of capabilities enables increased performance under dynamic conditions, in addition
to minimizing power consumption for extended battery life and remote operation.

Capability: Interference tolerance, frequency reuse and high link reliability

By applying cognitive capabilities to enhance active interference mitigation (in addition to DSA), xMax can
operate effectively under higher interference and jamming levels than competing solutions. This is critical for
maximizing reliability as well as increasing the utilization of scarce spectrum resources. By enabling xMax to
tolerate high levels of interference before requiring the radios to switch channels, more gray spectrum
(spectrum containing interference or jamming) can be used in place of white spectrum (clean and
interference-free spectrum). This capability increases the networks total throughput and capacity greatly
without consuming additional scarce spectrum resources. Since the technique is primarily implemented within
the receiver chain, the RF environment is not made noisier as would be the case for mitigation techniques that
rely on raising the transmitter power to overcome the interferer. This technique significantly increases the
system capacity of an xMax network.
Supporting xMax Feature: MIMO, powerful DSP processing and advanced software design

The xMax system employs a new and powerful parallel processing DSP/CPU unit that supports speeds
up to 50 GOPS (billion operations per second) for signal processing. This capable processor, combined
with the 2x4 MIMO antenna configurations, enables the xMax system to use patent-pending spatial
processing software to remove unwanted interference from the target signal. Each xMax cognitive
radio can simultaneously mitigate interference from up to 24 mobile sources of interference or
jamming.

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

Figure 3- Spatial Processing to mitigate jamming and interference

Capability: xMax supports COTS end user Devices

xMax uses a unique approach to integrate (COTS) devices into its all IP network via the xMod wireless bridging
device. By being device agnostic, platforms, OS (operating system) and apps can be refreshed and sourced
from third party vendors quickly with no additional integration or software development required. Training
and complexity are also reduced since familiar devices and interfaces can be seamlessly incorporated into the
xMax network.
Due to the systems inherent scalability and affordability, xMax and connected COTS devices can be widely
deployed. The same smartphone can be used in office or campus networks or in cellular mobile wide area
networks.
Supporting xMax Feature: xMod protocol bridge

xMod
Wi-Fi
network or
USB tether

Figure 4- xMod protocol bridge

The xMod is a WiFi (or USB tether) to xMax protocol bridge. Using an
advanced signal processor, xMod provides the DSA and interference
mitigation capabilities of the xMax wideband transport layer at the
network edge. This approach not only makes the system device agnostic,
but also operating system OS agnostic as well. The xMod supports
voice, data, video, chat and other applications on any WiFi or USB
capable device.

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

Capability: Network scalability and flexibility

The xMax system offers cost-effective scalability for capacity, performance and uplink/downlink bandwidth
shaping. By employing a building blocks approach to network configuration xMax network nodes can be
configured from 2 Mbps to 32 Mbps of capacity. The system also uses a flexible TDD time slotted MAC layer.
This MAC has configurable uplink and downlink areas so that network uplink and downlink bandwidth ratios
can be set for specific applications such as web surfing, video conferencing and or voice/text conversations.
The xMax system is designed with size, weight and power & cost (SWAP-C) in mind. Network access points
can be mounted on non-optimal sites for easier network deployment due to their small size and weight.
Ethernet or fiber interfaces are provided to connect the infrastructure to the operators backhaul network of
choice.
Supporting xMax Feature: xAP clusters, transmit/receive synchronization and DSA

Network node capacity can be scaled from one xAP (up to 2 Mbps) up to a cluster of 16 co-located
xAPs (32 Mbps). All xMax xAPs are time synchronized either by GPS or NTP. This enables co-location of
multiple xAPs and the ability to use all available channels without causing adjacent channel
interference, unlike non-synchronized systems. All radios transmit and then receive in unison, which
reduces or eliminates self-interference in the network. This enables xMax to utilize 100% of available
channel capacity within the network. The xAPs scan and use the best channels out of the pool of over
16 channels in release 3.0, with more spectrum bands can be added in future releases. Each radio does
this continuously and automatically to maximize throughput.
Having 16 accessible channels allows neighboring network nodes (made up of one or more xAPs) to
utilize non-interfering channels automatically. This allows the system to grow and scale easily without
redesigning the network RF plan each time a device moves or when xAPs or users are added or
removed from the network.

Summary
The xMax cognitive radio cellular system from xG Technology represents a complete, scalable mobile
wideband solution that is capable of supporting a wide range of smartphones, tablets, netbooks and other
end-user devices. The coverage and capacity of the network can be tailored to the market and business model
at hand and can be rapidly reconfigured to support new or expanded applications or territories.
The system has been deployed and demonstrated in disparate settings including a military environment at
Fort Bliss and at rural cellular operator sites in Florida and Arkansas. This flexibility to serve disparate markets
stems from the xG Technology affordable and rapidly deployable all-IP architecture.
While xMax incorporates several state-of-the-art and proprietary technologies such as dynamic spectrum
access and multi-spatial interference mitigation, it also leverages COTS end user devices including 3G and 4G
smartphones, tablets, netbooks, etc. These advanced features increase operational and deployment flexibility

xG White Paper: xMax OverviewApplications, Technology and Benefits for Wireless Operators

while also improving the utilization of scarce spectrum resources. xMaxs cognitive networking technology is
frequency agnostic and can be adapted to a wide array of TV white spaces, unlicensed and licensed frequency
bands.
The xMax systems cognitive networking capability allows it to dynamically access and optimize available
spectrum resources, while also enabling it to optimize its own RF plan. Future software releases will enable an
automatically self-organizing network (SON) in direct support of xMaxs operation as a mobile ad hoc network
(MANET and MESH).
Finally, its end-to-end IP network architecture supports mobile voice, wideband data, real time video, chat and
other apps over a single integrated network, unlike typical 3G and 4G networks that require separate voice
and data network equipment and transport layers.
For all these reasons, operators seeking to enter the mobile business either domestically or internationally will
find that xMax represents a practical and attractive technical solution.

About xG Technology
xG Technology is a leading developer of innovative and disruptive communications technologies for wireless
networks. Its extensive patented intellectual property portfolio covers a broad range of applications including
cognitive radio networks. The company has commercialized some of these technologies to create xMax, the
worlds first carrier-class cognitive radio network.
xMaxs standards-based IP architecture minimizes network deployment, management and operational costs
while simplifying the delivery of fixed and mobile services. Using field-proven cognitive radio technology, xMax
enables the delivery of mobile services in both licensed and unlicensed bands.
xMax offers unique capabilities to enterprises, utilities, government agencies and others who require
advanced wireless communications to support business operations and mission critical applications.
xG Technology offers turnkey xMax network solutions including base stations, mobile switching centers,
network management systems, deployment tools, handsets and customer support.
xG has deployed four networks in the field that showcase xMaxs cognitive radio, mobile VoIP, and dynamic
interference mitigation capabilities. These include a trial network at the US Armys base at Fort Bliss, Texas
and White Sands Missile Range; two rural deployment trial networks with Townes Tele-Communications, Inc.;
and a 32 square mile urban/suburban xMax network in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Based in Florida, xG Technology has 60 US and more than 120 international patents and pending patent
applications. For more information, please visit www.xgtechnology.com.

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