Novatel Wireless Expands PDA Efforts

Novatel PDA Offers Communication Solutions

For some, nothing could be more natural than the integration of wireless communications and mobile computing. High among this list is Novatel Wireless Inc. (NWI), a Phoenix, Arizona-based developer of cellular radios and CDPD modems. Recently, the company announced the launch of a new division chartered to develop and integrate two-way wireless data communication systems with handheld computers and PDAs.

“The company will launch a new division to develop and integrate two-way wireless data communication with handheld computers”

Sanjay Singhal, director of marketing for Novatel Wireless, will head the new division whose home will be in San Diego, California. The division will initially concentrate on developing products that enable people using palmtop computers to access important resources including electronic mail, USENET-style news, and information on the World Wide Web.

The goal, as stated by the company, is to provide turn-key solutions for handheld systems. Earlier, the company was selected by Digital Ocean to integrate NWI’s NRM-6812 CDPD modem into the Seahorse handheld computer. As you may recall, Seahorse is Digital Ocean’s ruggedized pen computer based on the Newton architecture.

Using CDPD’s ability to transmit short data bursts over the existing AMPS infrastructure, Seahorse with CDPD offers a TCP/IP-based wireless handheld solution retailing for under $2,200. The NRM-6812 itself offers full-duplex CDPD communications capability with built-in error correction, operating at the cellular standard 600 milliwatts.