Terms of the funding deal were not revealed, but it is thought to be less than $10m. All that was revealed is that the Siemens Communications Group will now evaluate Tropos MetroMesh systems for use in new geographic and vertical markets.
We look forward to teaming with Tropos to facilitate adoption of their fast, low-cost and simple MetroMesh systems in new geographic markets, as well as in vertical markets such as carriers, intelligent transportation systems and energy production and distribution, said Louis Rajczi, vice president & investment partner, Siemens Venture Capital.
Metro-scale mesh networks deliver city-wide fixed and mobile broadband access via a secure Wi-Fi infrastructure. Mesh routers form a self-configuring wireless broadband data network that self-organizes as routers are added or subtracted, backhaul supplied or removed, and interference comes and goes.
The network forwards client data from mesh router to mesh router to a wired internet connection. The result is a large-scale Wi-Fi deployment with high throughput that does not require wired backhaul to each access point, install truck rolls or expensive and complex client devices and software.
Tropos MetroMesh routers use the intelligent Tropos Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol to provide coverage over metropolitan areas. Network support costs are minimized via the central management capabilities of the Tropos Control element manager, a configuration, monitoring and maintenance tool. Metro-scale Wi-Fi mesh networks implemented with Tropos MetroMesh routers allow public safety agencies, municipalities, and service providers to deliver city-wide fixed and mobile multi-megabit connectivity for IP-based voice, video, and data applications.
It is thought that in the past the Sunnyvale, California-based Tropos has gained approximately $40m in funding in total. Funding rounds include $13.5m, as well as an undisclosed investment from Intel Capital. It received its first round of funding, $1m, back in May 2003, when the company used to be known as FHP Wireless.
