The UWB industry continues to make significant strides forward with certifications now underway and a range of products (e.g., components, semiconductors, software and test equipment) based on the technology either already announced or on the verge of being announced. For those engineers interested in obtaining more information about this exciting technology, and the industry that it is helping to define, resources are just a mouse click away. Following is a roundup of excellent sources of information on UWB, WiMedia Alliance, Certified Wireless USB, industry players and products.

• WiMedia Alliance — www.wimedia.org

  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 specifications, regulatory, marketing, logo, compliance and interoperability for the WiMedia PHY/MAC. Also available is information on delivering Internet protocol (WiNET) over the WiMedia common radio platform.

• Ecma International — http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-368.htm

  Ecma International is an industry association dedicated to the standardization of information and communication technology (ICT) and consumer electronics (CE). Go here for information on WiMedia UWB specifications as well as to obtain a free download of published PHY/MAC specifications.

• USB Implementers Forum — http://www.usborg/developers/wusb

  The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) is a non-profit group of companies that developed the USB specification. USB-IF supports the adoption of USB technology, including Certified Wireless USB — the new wireless extension to USB that combines the speed and security of wired technology with the ease-of-use of wireless technology. Go here for more information on specifications & certification for Certified Wireless USB, based on the WiMedia Common Radio Platform.

• Bluetooth SIG — http://www.bluetooth.com

  The Bluetooth Special Interest Group 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. Go here for more information on specifications and certification for Bluetooth 3.0, based on the WiMedia Common Radio Platform.

• Allied Business Intelligence — www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Ultrawideband (Q2, 2006)

• IMS Research — http://www.imsresearch.com/members/pr.asp?X=270 (July 2006)

• In-Stat/MDR Market Research — www.instat.com/r/uwb/ (May 2006)

• Market Research — www.marketresearch.com/map/prod/1267676.html (March 2006)

• UWB University — http://www.uwb-u.com

• Articles, presentations, white papers — http://staccatocommunications.com/press/articles_presentations

• Technical books — http://staccatocommunications.com/books?title=uwbsystems

The following is a list of companies offering UWB solutions. Included in this list are companies that provide the PHY-only, as well as those that provide only the MAC and upper layers. Several other companies, which offer complete solutions, are also listed along with a few who have yet to announce solutions, but are on the verge of doing so.

• Alereon — www.alereon.com

• Artimi — www.artimi.com/

• Broadcom — http://www.broadcom.com/careers/wireless_design_center.php

• Cambridge Silicon Radio — http://www.csr.com/pr/pr193.htm

• Focus Enhancements — http://www.focussemi.com/products/uwb_radio_module.html

• Fujitsu — http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/edevices/components/input/uwb.html

• General Atomics — www.ga.com/uwb

• Infineon — http://www.infineon.com/cgi-bin/ifx/portal/ep/channelView.do?channelId=-79492&pageTypeId=17099

• Intel Corporation — http://www.intel.com/technology/comms/uwb/

• Mindtree Consulting — www.mindtree.com/

• NEC Electronics — http://www.necel.com/usb/en/wusb/uwb.html

• NXP Semiconductor — www.nxp.com/products/connectivity/uwb/index.html

• Realtek Semiconductor (Wionics) — http://www.wionics.com/

• Staccato Communications — www.staccatocommunications.com

• Synopsys — http://www.synopsys.com/products/designware/wiusb_solutions.html

• Texas Instruments — http://focus.ti.com/docs/solution/folders/print/302.html

• Tzero — www.tzerotech.com

• Wipro — http://embedded.wipro.com/reusablframe-works/uwb/

• Wisair — www.wisair.com/

• WiQuest Communications — www.wiquest.com

The following companies and organizations are involved in operating system (OS) efforts related to UWB technology. Many third-party companies as well as initiatives have yet to be officially announced.

• IAnywhere — www.ianywhere.com/

• Linux — linuxuwb.org/

• Microsoft — www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/bus/uwb/default.mspx

• StonestreetOne — www.stonestreetone.com/

This list includes those companies who are developing UWB components such as filters, diplexers, antennas, balun and crystal components. Note that this list is not comprehensive as there are many other vendors working in this area who have not yet made any announcements.

• FDK Corporation — www.fdk.com/

• Fractus — www.fractus.com/news_details.php?id=52

• Fujitsu Components Ltd. — http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/edevices/components/

• Murata — www.murata.com/

• Omron — www.omron.com/ecb/products/whfd/

• Skycross — www.skycross.com/Products/uwb.asp

• Taiyo Yuden — www.ty-top.com/

• TDK — www.component.tdk.com/

Test equipment and services for UWB technology include things like regulatory and compliance test, protocol certification, and bench test and automated test equipment. The following companies are involved in these efforts:

• Agilent — www.agilent.com/find/UWB

• Anritsu — www.anritsu.com/

• CETECOM — http://www.cetecom.es/web/es/pag/24112415.htm

• Ellisys — www.ellisys.com/

• LeCroy — www.lecroy.com/tm/products/ProtocolAnalyzers/UltraWideband/UWB

• LTX — http://www.ltx.com/ltxxweb.nsf/published/WirelessRF?Open

• Tektronix — www.tek.com/Measurement/applications/rf/uwb.html

• Teradyne — www.teradyne.com/

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