MCCI Corp., a developer of USB drivers and firmware for the high-volume personal computer and portable device markets, has released Mobile Broadband Interface Model (MBIM) USB host function drivers for Mac OS X.

"MBIM is the new industry standard architecture for wireless broadband modems," says Terry Moore, CEO, MCCI. "It replaces AT commands with a modern message-based API. Data transfer is accelerated by replacing PPP data encapsulation with direct transport of IP packets, so the data going over USB matches the data going over the cellular network. Our MBIM drivers for Mac OS X let modem manufacturers use exactly the same firmware that they use for Windows platforms, increasing the throughput and decreasing the test and validation time."

The data-transport architecture used in MBIM was first developed for the USB NCM specification. The driver package, suitable for LTE-Advanced modems, supports high throughput, demonstrating up to 180 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink with a compliant modem over the air.

It includes advance multifunction device support, allowing one set of device descriptors to support both Mac OS X and Windows. Applications and installation software can be delivered to the end user via a virtual CD-ROM image embedded in the modem. Installer and uninstaller are included. For more info go to www.mcci.com/mcci-v5/index.html .