Microwave Bypass (company)

Microwave Bypass, Inc. pioneered the world's first wireless Ethernet solution (WWAN) in 1987, dubbed the "EtherWave Transceiver." It enabled 802.3 Ethernet networks to connect at the then full speed of 10 megabits per second, and for initial distances up to 4.3 miles.[1]

The company was founded in March 1986 by David S. Theodore (24), and had its offices at One Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its wireless Ethernet solution consisted of an FCC licensed, wide band microwave radio (23 GHz) from International Microwave, modified from video and coupled with Microwave Bypass' EtherWave Transceiver. The system met the then highest Ethernet throughput, was protocol independent, and could transmit 4.3 miles (6.9 km), the limit being set by the 802.3 propagation delay allowance (46.4µs).

Beta testing of Microwave Bypass tech occurred at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1987, at the invitation of network manager, David Murphy, and with Network World's Laura DiDio and representatives of Harvard University and Boston University's Dr. Mikhail Orlov in attendance. After a successful demo the first two production links were installed in parallel between Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Harvard's Cardiac Computer Center, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) across the Charles River. This also marked the first wireless transmission of MR images.

In 1988, Microwave Bypass collaborated with Cisco Systems on a full-duplex EtherWave Transceiver to eliminate 802.3 collision detection and permit longer distance connections as far as the microwave could reach. This first full-duplex design was developed for an application at MIT, between its main campus and Lincoln Laboratories. Later that year Microwave Bypass completed an exclusive deal, announced by Motorola,[2] for the transfer of its EtherWave Transceiver and LAN-LINK 1000 Bridge technologies.

Company Highlights:

• Microwave Bypass built a wireless triangle between Harvard, MIT and Boston University, which became the New England Academic and Research Network with over 40 nodes (NEARnet).[3]

• Designed a Smithsonian Award winning K-12 network for Desert Sands Unified School District (CA), built the network for the Space Shuttle Project (Edwards AFB), provided the first internet access to Interop, and installed the first residential fixed wireless connection, notably for Bill Joy of Sun Microsystems.

• Microwave Bypass was selected one of the top ten industry leaders by "LAN Times," in 1990 [4] and was highly regarded by analysts, including the Aberdeen Group, which estimated the company's market share at 70%.[5]

Notes

  1. ↑ DiDio, Laura 2008, pg. 8
  2. ↑ Motorola Press Release
  3. ↑ Nearnet Microwave Backbone 1992
  4. ↑ Charting the '90s Top LAN Contenders 1991, vol. 8, issue 2
  5. ↑ Untethered Opportunities

References

  • "LAN Extension Using Microwave". DataPro Research. September 1986.
  • Swartz, Jon (September 1986). "An Unlikely Couple Form Company to Sell Microwave Ethernet Link". Communications Week.
  • Swartz, Jon (September 1986). "Unlikely Pair Makes Waves at Microwave Bypass". Computer Systems News: 49–50.
  • "First Wireless WAN Announcement" (PDF). Communications Week (full page ad). Smagorinski Graphic Design. January 1987.
  • DiDio, Laura (February 1988). "Networking Strategies: LAN Users Look to Microwave Links" (PDF). Network World. 5 (9): 1, 8.
  • Schnaidt, Patricia (May 1988). "Harvard and Boston University are Cooking with Microwave LAN Extensions" (PDF). LAN Magazine: 128–131.
  • Darrow, Barbara (August 1989). "Microwave Link Runs at Ethernet Speed" (PDF). InfoWorld.
  • DiDio, Laura (August 21, 1989). "Microwave Technique Extends E-net Links". Network World.
  • James Bruce; Kent England; Laura Breeden; David S. Theodore (June 1990). "NEARnet Profile" (PDF). ConneXions, "The Interoperability Report": 2–5.
  • DiDio, Laura (January 21, 1991). "Charting the '90s Top LAN Contenders". LAN Times. VIII (2).
  • Theodore, David S. (March 1992). "NEARnet Microwave Backbone" (PDF).
  • Pat Schod (13 June 1988). "Motorola Press Release" (PDF): 1.
  • The Aberdeen Group (1994). "Untethered Opportunities" (PDF). Wireless Industry Profile.
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