UM gets only US lab for WiMAX next generation wireless apps

The MAXWell Lab is being established jointly with the university's Office of Information Technology (OIT). The University of Maryland's outside partners in the lab are the Laboratory for Telecommunication Sciences (LTS), the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Fujitsu. The Lab was established to conduct research and development in a variety of WiMAX and other wireless communications technologies.

WiMAX and MyeVyu Poised for Breakout

According to a new report from Sidecut Reports (www.sidecutreports.com), an "independent editorial research firm," 2008 could be a record year for WiMAX technology. "A mature technology, a growing product ecosystem and economic opportunity based on a growing demand for mobile Internet access make 2008 a potential breakout year in the U.S….," says the report published in Marketwire.

One new WiMAX application that will get additional development and testing in the MAXWell Lab is a social networking application for cell phone/PDAs developed by Agrawala and some of his graduate students. Known as MyeVyu, it is designed to enhance the safety of the user, make getting around easier and facilitate networking with friends. Currently MyeVyu is designed to use data from the more than 3000 Wi-Fi stations scattered across the campus. Working through the MAXWell lab, Agrawala and his students will integrate their MyeVyu application to run on WiMAX wireless technology later this year.

The MyeVyu system is being developed in collaboration with OIT, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Facilities. It will pinpoint a user's position on the campus within about 10 feet. This information will be able to be integrated with map graphics, campus construction and transportation information and shared with friends. In an emergency, the users can, which the touch of a button, alert campus police of their ID and location, and transmit audio and video of what's happening using the phone's camera and microphone. In addition, it will be possible to make a variety of other information readily available to the user, such as real-time locations of the shuttle buses, parking location of a user's car, current weather, campus events, class or meeting times and locations, location of vending machines, and information on handicapped accessible buildings, paths etc.

Contacts: Lee Tune, University Communications, University of Maryland 301-405-4679,

Ashok Agrawala, CS Prof., Dir. MAXWell Lab, University of Maryland 301-405-2525,

Becca Harpham, GolinHarris for WiMAX Forum, 972-341-2527,