The Evolution of WiLAN
/Est. 1990s
Pioneering the Future of Wireless
In the early 1990s, while many researchers were racing to find a wireless technology that would overcome the many problems that plagued wireless data communication, WiLAN envisioned a world of high-speed wireless.
To make this vision a reality, WiLAN developed Wideband Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, or W-OFDM, a wireless communication modulation technique that is now ubiquitous in broadband wireless applications.
Over A Decade of
Advanced Wireless Products
In October 1993, WiLAN launched its first commercial product, the 902-20 wireless modem which delivered 20 Mb/s data throughput. In July 1994 WiLAN launched the Hopper DS, a 19 kb/s wireless modem with a range of 10 km.
WiLAN followed with a series of wireless Ethernet Bridge products, under the names Hopper Plus and AWE, which entered the market from 1995 through 2002.
The capabilities of W-OFDM technology did not go unnoticed. Members of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) pursued W-OFDM in developing 802.11a standard and, in September 1999, the 802.11a standard, utilizing W-OFDM technology, was approved.
With W-OFDM an industry-accepted technology, WiLAN pushed forward with activities to further its commercialization.
In June 2001, the FCC authorized the sale of WiLAN’s BWS 300-24, a W-OFDM product that operated in the 2.4 GHz band.
This laid the groundwork for a future multi-billion dollar market for Wi-Fi products and services based on the W-OFDM technology.
WiLAN continued further research and product development in W-OFDM technology. W-OFDM technology was adopted as the method of choice to drive future Wi-Fi standards.
The IEEE selected W-OFDM as the basis for its 802.11g and 802.11n standards. With these standards came a wave of low cost, high-speed Wi-Fi products, all driven by W-OFDM.
The success of WiLAN’s products was recognized.
WiLAN shifted its focus to protecting and monetizing patented inventions, first focusing on its own internally developed intellectual property and eventually beginning to work with partners to acquire and then license intellectual property developed by those partners.
For the next 20 years, WiLAN concluded patent licensing agreements with over 400 of the world’s technology companies worth more than $1.5 Billion USD.
Today: Driving Innovation Through Partnerships
Today, the company focusses on partnering with companies to monetize their patent portfolios.
Ready to unlock the value of your patents?
Whether you’re seeking a licensing partner, looking to sell a portfolio, or want to explore a revenue-sharing arrangement, our team is ready to have a direct, no-obligation conversation.