The UWB industry continues to make significant strides forward with certifications now under way 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.
The following is a list of companies offering UWB solutions. Included 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.
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.
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.
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:
WiMedia Alliance — In an effort to expand the global presence of the WiMedia Alliance (www.wimedia.org), WiMedia has opened the China Chapter. WiMedia China engages Chinese regulators and Chinese-based consumer electronic corporations.
Belkin and Intel — Belkin Corporation (www.belkin.com) will implement the Intel (www.intel.com) Wireless UWB link 1480 MAC silicon in its upcoming USB adapter based on WiNet and Certified Wireless USB technology. The adapter will be available in the first quarter of 2007.
USB-IF — USB-IF (www.usb.org) has announced the availability of the Certified Wireless USB Compliance and Certification program. It is the only way for manufacturers to achieve certification and qualify to use the Certified Wireless USB logo.
Staccato Communications — Staccato Communications (www.staccatocommunications.com) is prepared to submit six reference designs based on Certified Wireless USB for certification by the USB-IF, U.S. FCC certification, and Japan TELEC regulatory approval. These reference design kits are production-ready for the retrofit market of dongle and hub adapter products.
Intel, Eastman Kodak and Alereon — In collaboration with Intel (www.intel.com) and Eastman Kodak (www.kodak.com), Alereon (www.alereon.com) demonstrated wireless transmission of photos from a digital camera to a PC. For the demonstration, photos were taken using a Kodak digital camera embedded with Alereon's AL4000 wireless USB solution. The photos were downloaded to a PC via an Intel wireless USB host dongle solution containing the Intel wireless UWB link 1480 media access controller and Alereon's AL4000 PHY.
WiQuest Communications — WiQuest Communications (www.WiQuest.com) has earned FCC certification for its external USB adapter solution. Designed using WiQuest's multichip solution, it includes the SiGe-based RF front-end (WQST101) and CMOS-based baseband PHY, MAC engine, processor, and a variety of host interfaces (WQST110).
Agilent Technologies — Agilent Technologies (www.agilent.com) is shipping key test equipment and software necessary to verify operation of devices based on Certified Wireless USB technology from the USB Implementer's Forum.
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