While the attempt by IEEE 802.15.3a to provide a higher-speed ultrawideband (UWB) physical layer (PHY) enhancement amendment to IEEE 802.15.3 failed to culminate in a standard, it did succeed in consolidating more than 20 specifications into two proposals. These proposals — multiband orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) UWB and direct sequence — UWB (DS-UWB), represent the two approaches to UWB being espoused by the WiMedia Alliance and UWB Forum, respectively. With no single standard for the industry to rally behind though, and multiple organizations promoting different technologies, there exists a great deal of confusion over the different approaches, technology uses, and even basic terminology and acronyms.

Regardless of the confusion, the UWB industry is making significant strides forward. In fact, commercialization of products is expected to begin in the second half of this year. Interoperability of initial MB-OFDM-based UWB silicon has already begun. And the European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) is working to help fast-track the MB-OFDM solution into the International Standards Organization (ISO). Key to keeping this momentum going is for all parties to have a clear understanding of the proposed UWB solutions and their implementation.

Following are some resources for accomplishing that goal:

The UWB Forum is dedicated to ensuring that standards-based UWB products from multiple vendors are truly interoperable — from mobile phones to set-top boxes, from computers to televisions to digital camcorders and more.

It facilitates the worldwide regulatory approval process for UWB systems along with the market educational efforts for future customers of these technologies. The UWB Forum favors the use of DS-UWB.

Go here for information on DS-UWB and topics like:

• What is UWB?
  www.uwbforum.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=48

  This page provides details on UWB technology, its applications and the benefits that it provides.

• Use cases
  www.uwbforum.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=58

  This page details various uses of UWB, such as home entertainment systems, DVR and conference rooms.

• Technical FAQ
  www.uwbforum.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=50

  Here you'll find information on why another wireless technology is needed and interference concerns.

• Regulatory history
  www.uwbforum.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=61

  Go here for information on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its approval of UWB for commercial use.

The mission of the WiMedia Alliance is to promote and enable the rapid adoption and standardization of UWB worldwide for high-speed wireless, multimedia-capable personal-area connectivity in the PC, CE and mobile market segments.

Go to this site for information on:

• ECMA international standards
  www.wimedia.org/en/resources/eis.asp?id=contact

  This page discusses ECAM International's approval of two standards for UWB technology, based on the WiMedia UWB common radio platform.

• Resource library
  www.wimedia.org/en/resources/resourcelibrary.asp?id=res

  Go here for a list of useful industry links, and access to presentations and white papers like “The Role of Interoperability in the Market for Connectivity Technologies.”

• MBOA presentation and white paper archive
  www.wimedia.org/en/resources/mboa_archives.asp?id=contact

  Go here for presentations and white papers from the Multiband OFDM Alliance (MBOA) UWB group.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a non-profit group of companies that developed the USB specification, sponsors this site. USB-IF supports the adoption of USB technology, including Certified Wireless USB — the wireless extension to USB that combines the speed and security of wired technology with the ease-of-use of wireless technology.

Certified Wireless USB supports robust high-speed wireless connectivity by using the common WiMedia MB-OFDM UWB radio platform.

Go here for more information on the technology, USB-IF developers and compliance, as well as products certified to carry the USB-IF logo.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is a privately held, not-for-profit trade association. SIG members drive the development of Bluetooth wireless technology, and implement and market the technology in their products.

Bluetooth SIG selected the WiMedia Alliance MB-OFDM version of UWB for integration with the current Bluetooth wireless technology. It is expected to help create a high-speed/high data rate version of the globally popular Bluetooth wireless technology.

Go here for more information on this ongoing development.