Combining a multiband OFDM alliance (MBOA) ultrawideband (UWB) hardware, software and consumer product development platform, Staccato Communications has introduced the Ripcord UWB development kit SC3100D. The 10 × 15 cm Ripcord DVK was unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum in Tokyo, Japan. Staccato and Fujitsu Ltd. have also developed the industry's first wireless USB-enabled digital still camera (DSC) development platform using the Ripcord UWB development kit. This system will be the first demonstration to show wireless USB connectivity to DSCs, one of the most popular applications of wireless USB.

The Ripcord DVK incorporates a complete single-chip all-CMOS MBOA-compliant PHY module, MBOA MAC, WiMedia convergence architecture (WiMCA), integrated 32-bit ARM9 RISC processor, and interfaces including SDIO 1.1, and USB 2.0 host and device. The DVK includes software and drivers for wireless USB and supports wireless IP. The DVK is extensible to support possible future plug-ins such as Wireless 1394 and higher-speed Bluetooth. Staccato's implementation of the MBOA MAC provides rapid device discovery, fast-stream establishment, high-quality service and efficient use of spare capacity by a periodic traffic in a secure decentralized architecture.

Staccato's silicon is implemented in Fujitsu Ltd.'s 0.11micron generic CMOS process and then further integrated into a 10 mm × 10 mm LTCC module inclusive of all additional components to complete the system with the exception of the antenna. This form factor provides for low-cost and high-volume commercially viable products with minimal design-in effort and minimal risk. This integrated solution enables a sub-$10 per node implementation for wireless USB and wireless IP connectivity at 480 Mbps.

For more information, visit www.staccatocommunications.com