EXata is based on emulation technology that speeds the development and deployment of mobile wireless systems and makes it possible to exercise both equipment-in-the-loop and humans-in-the-loop using software virtual networks (SVNs).

Much like the flight simulators used to train pilots, SVNs provide a platform to conduct network testing and operations training with an unprecedented level of realism, according to the company.

To do this theye capable of interfacing with actual networks, running actual applications in real time, thus enabling the evaluation of new technologies rapidly and at much lower cost than previously possible.

The technology that enables EXata to deliver this realism is true or real-time emulation, an exact digital replication of a physical wireless network. Any hardware, software, or human user connected to an EXata SVN is not able to discern a difference between real networks and components and their virtual (emulated) replacements.

What makes real-time emulation possible is that the underlying computer code, or kernel, is built with patent-pending computationally efficient code that dramatically increases speed and accuracy on any computing platform.

According to the company, EXata is the only emulation system that can use advanced parallel processing to digitally represent every layer in the wireless communications protocol stack. The company claims that EXata produces superior predictability of actual performance. As a result, many more potential solutions can be tested and evaluated, allowing engineers to solve more problems with fewer technical compromises.

Network testing is complex and costly because scientifically rigorous studies require repeated trials. Being able to start and stop trials, as well as pause and modify parameters on the fly, is necessary to efficiently conduct such experiments.

EXata SVNs displace the traditional model of physical testbed evaluation by leveraging the flexibility and low cost of simulation to produce the highly accurate, highly detailed results of a testbed. The EXata SVN can stay in service throughout the lifecycle of the system to provide increasing levels of detail and realism as the project demands.

The EXata product family consists of EXata and a collection of add-on libraries that model various communication protocols. The power of additional processors can be added with a license upgrade. A visual development environment allows users to set up models quickly and then run models that present real-time statistics and helpful packet-level debugging insight.

EXata provides out-of-the-box support for quad-core processor systems. It is possible to achieve real-time emulation with the base EXata product. For additional speed-up and scalability through parallel execution, users can upgrade EXata to run on multiples of four processors.

A free demo version of EXata is available for download on the company website, along with technical specifications on the product and free white papers. The product can be ordered immediately and is available for delivery in January 2009.

To learn more, go to www.scalable-networks.com .