INDUSTRY LEADERS DEVELOPING FIRST HIGH-SPEED PERSONAL WIRELESS INTERCONNECT
Announcement posted by Intel 20 Feb 2004
Formation of Wireless USB Promoter Group Announced
Focused on delivering the first high-speed personal wireless interconnect, Intel Corporation and other technology industry leaders have formed the Wireless USB Promoter Group. Other members include Agere Systems, HP, Microsoft Corporation, NEC, Philips Semiconductors and Samsung Electronics.
Wireless USB personal connectivity will bring the convenience and mobility of wireless communications to high-speed interconnects for multimedia consumer electronics, PC peripherals and mobile devices.
The promoter group has already begun defining the Wireless USB specification with a targeted bandwidth of 480 Mbps that maintains the same usage and architecture as wired USB as a high-speed host-to-device connection. This will enable an easy migration path for todays wired USB solutions.
The spec will be based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio efforts by the MultiBand OFDM Alliance (MBOA) and WiMedia Alliance, both open industry associations that promote personal-area range wireless connectivity and interoperability among multimedia devices in a networked environment.
The 480 Mbps initial target bandwidth of Wireless USB is comparable to the current wired USB 2.0 standard, and will feature wireless high-data throughput with low power consumption for distances under 10 meters. The Wireless USB interface will deliver the benefits of high-speed wireless connectivity, security, ease-of-use and backward compatibility to customers.
Intel led the formation of the Wireless USB Promoter Group with the understanding that the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) would act as the trade association for the Wireless USB specification. Intel will continue to drive this initiative into the marketplace as the first commercial application to run on top of the Common UWB Radio platform. A completed Wireless USB spec is expected by years end.
The Wireless USB Promoter Group is committed to preserving the existing USB device and class driver infrastructure and investment, look-and-feel and ease-of-use of wired USB, said Jeff Ravencraft, Intel technology strategist and USB-IF chairman. Wireless USB will preserve the functionality of wired USB while also unwiring the cable connection and providing enhanced support for streaming media CE devices and peripherals.
Added Microsoft Corp.s Tom Phillips, general manager of Windows* Hardware: The Wireless USB Promoter Group is at the forefront of developing wireless USB specifications that will have widespread benefits for both our customers and the industry. Microsoft is pleased to be a part of this organisation and we look forward to the solutions wireless USB interfaces will deliver.
The first Wireless USB implementations are expected to be in the form of discrete silicon that will be introduced in a number of form factors. These include add-in cards and dongles along with embedded solutions to support the technologys introduction and subsequent rapid ramp-up.
Joining the seven promoter group companies as key contributors are Appairent Technologies, Alereon Inc., STMicroelectronics and Wisair.
About IDF
The Intel Developer Forum is the technology industry's premier event for hardware and software developers. Held worldwide throughout the year, IDF brings together key industry players to discuss cutting-edge technology and products for PCs, servers, communications equipment, and handheld clients. For more information on IDF and Intel technology, visit http://developer.intel.com.
About Intel Corporation
Intel, the worlds largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Quote Sheet
FORMATION OF WIRELESS USB PROMOTER GROUP ANNOUNCED
From Agere Systems:
"Agere Systems sees wireless USB as a logical extension of high-speed connectivity technologies currently driving PCs, peripherals and portable consumer electronics products," said Dave Thompson, technical manager of high-speed I/O development at Agere Systems. "As a founding member of the Wireless USB Promoter Group, Agere will leverage its expertise in I/O and wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and mobile telephony to help develop a strong specification that can be easily implemented across multiple consumer and enterprise applications."
From Intel Corporation:
Wireless USB is off to a great start in 2004. Intel leadership and broad industry support will provide the first industry standard high-speed wireless personal interconnect application. said Dr. Kevin C. Kahn, Intel Senior Fellow and director, Communications Technology Lab. Wireless USB will support the convergence of multimedia consumer electronics, PC peripherals and mobile devices while preserving the functionality of wired USB.
From Microsoft Corporation:
The Wireless USB Promoter Group is at the forefront of developing wireless USB specifications that will have widespread benefits for both our customers and the industry, said Tom Phillips, general manager of Windows Hardware. Microsoft is pleased to be a part of this organization and we look forward to the solutions wireless USB interfaces will deliver.
From NEC Group:
The USB 2.0 technology experienced a great success in the industry, and NEC Electronics played a significant role in its rapid expansion as the leading provider of USB 2.0 semiconductor solutions, said Yuichi Kawakami, vice president of NEC Electronics Corporation. We intend to capitalize on our expertise and contribute to expansion of the Wireless USB market through early introduction of related products.
From Philips Semiconductors:
"The explosion of digital content and connectivity solutions has consumers wanting information, services and entertainment anytime, anywhere and Wireless USB will help make that a reality," said Paul Marino, vice president and general manager of connectivity, Philips Semiconductors. "With over 1.5 billion USB-equipped devices in the market worldwide, Wireless USB technology is a natural extension to bring fast, seamless connectivity for the transfer of music, photos and data."
Wireless USB personal connectivity will bring the convenience and mobility of wireless communications to high-speed interconnects for multimedia consumer electronics, PC peripherals and mobile devices.
The promoter group has already begun defining the Wireless USB specification with a targeted bandwidth of 480 Mbps that maintains the same usage and architecture as wired USB as a high-speed host-to-device connection. This will enable an easy migration path for todays wired USB solutions.
The spec will be based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio efforts by the MultiBand OFDM Alliance (MBOA) and WiMedia Alliance, both open industry associations that promote personal-area range wireless connectivity and interoperability among multimedia devices in a networked environment.
The 480 Mbps initial target bandwidth of Wireless USB is comparable to the current wired USB 2.0 standard, and will feature wireless high-data throughput with low power consumption for distances under 10 meters. The Wireless USB interface will deliver the benefits of high-speed wireless connectivity, security, ease-of-use and backward compatibility to customers.
Intel led the formation of the Wireless USB Promoter Group with the understanding that the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) would act as the trade association for the Wireless USB specification. Intel will continue to drive this initiative into the marketplace as the first commercial application to run on top of the Common UWB Radio platform. A completed Wireless USB spec is expected by years end.
The Wireless USB Promoter Group is committed to preserving the existing USB device and class driver infrastructure and investment, look-and-feel and ease-of-use of wired USB, said Jeff Ravencraft, Intel technology strategist and USB-IF chairman. Wireless USB will preserve the functionality of wired USB while also unwiring the cable connection and providing enhanced support for streaming media CE devices and peripherals.
Added Microsoft Corp.s Tom Phillips, general manager of Windows* Hardware: The Wireless USB Promoter Group is at the forefront of developing wireless USB specifications that will have widespread benefits for both our customers and the industry. Microsoft is pleased to be a part of this organisation and we look forward to the solutions wireless USB interfaces will deliver.
The first Wireless USB implementations are expected to be in the form of discrete silicon that will be introduced in a number of form factors. These include add-in cards and dongles along with embedded solutions to support the technologys introduction and subsequent rapid ramp-up.
Joining the seven promoter group companies as key contributors are Appairent Technologies, Alereon Inc., STMicroelectronics and Wisair.
About IDF
The Intel Developer Forum is the technology industry's premier event for hardware and software developers. Held worldwide throughout the year, IDF brings together key industry players to discuss cutting-edge technology and products for PCs, servers, communications equipment, and handheld clients. For more information on IDF and Intel technology, visit http://developer.intel.com.
About Intel Corporation
Intel, the worlds largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Quote Sheet
FORMATION OF WIRELESS USB PROMOTER GROUP ANNOUNCED
From Agere Systems:
"Agere Systems sees wireless USB as a logical extension of high-speed connectivity technologies currently driving PCs, peripherals and portable consumer electronics products," said Dave Thompson, technical manager of high-speed I/O development at Agere Systems. "As a founding member of the Wireless USB Promoter Group, Agere will leverage its expertise in I/O and wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and mobile telephony to help develop a strong specification that can be easily implemented across multiple consumer and enterprise applications."
From Intel Corporation:
Wireless USB is off to a great start in 2004. Intel leadership and broad industry support will provide the first industry standard high-speed wireless personal interconnect application. said Dr. Kevin C. Kahn, Intel Senior Fellow and director, Communications Technology Lab. Wireless USB will support the convergence of multimedia consumer electronics, PC peripherals and mobile devices while preserving the functionality of wired USB.
From Microsoft Corporation:
The Wireless USB Promoter Group is at the forefront of developing wireless USB specifications that will have widespread benefits for both our customers and the industry, said Tom Phillips, general manager of Windows Hardware. Microsoft is pleased to be a part of this organization and we look forward to the solutions wireless USB interfaces will deliver.
From NEC Group:
The USB 2.0 technology experienced a great success in the industry, and NEC Electronics played a significant role in its rapid expansion as the leading provider of USB 2.0 semiconductor solutions, said Yuichi Kawakami, vice president of NEC Electronics Corporation. We intend to capitalize on our expertise and contribute to expansion of the Wireless USB market through early introduction of related products.
From Philips Semiconductors:
"The explosion of digital content and connectivity solutions has consumers wanting information, services and entertainment anytime, anywhere and Wireless USB will help make that a reality," said Paul Marino, vice president and general manager of connectivity, Philips Semiconductors. "With over 1.5 billion USB-equipped devices in the market worldwide, Wireless USB technology is a natural extension to bring fast, seamless connectivity for the transfer of music, photos and data."