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Wireless pact sets stage for higher speeds
4 May, 2005
by Steve Wexler
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced
its intent to work with the developers of the wireless technology
commonly known as Ultra-Wideband (UWB) to combine strengths
of both technologies. This decision will allow Bluetooth technology
to extend its long-term roadmap to meet the high-speed demands
of synchronizing and transferring large amounts of data as
well as enabling high quality video applications for portable
devices. UWB will benefit from Bluetooth technology's manifested
maturity, qualification program, brand equity and comprehensive
application layer.
While details are still being worked out, the goal is to work
towards an architecture that allows devices to take advantage
of UWB data rates for scenarios that require high speed. Bluetooth
will still be important to maintain backward compatibly with
existing devices on the market and future products not requiring
the higher data rate.
"It has been apparent that members of the Bluetooth
SIG would like to enable products with higher data rates.
I feel that it is the responsibility of the industry to recognize
synergies and limit fragmentation as much as possible,"
said Michael Foley, Ph. D., executive director of the Bluetooth
SIG. "Joint development between Bluetooth technology
and UWB is the fastest and most economical pathway for both
technologies to meet the future demands of companies and end
users. At the same time it is important to understand that
Bluetooth is a global standard to a great extent driven by
the adoption into mobile consumer devices like mobile phones,
so not only is it a requirement that worldwide regulation
is achieved, but also that it is done in a way so co- existence
with future mobile standards is realized."
The Bluetooth SIG decision was welcomed by UWB proponents
as a very positive step in allowing consumers to connect seamlessly
between PCs, phones and consumer electronics equipment. "This
is an extremely positive move," said Stephen Wood, UWB
technology strategist, Intel.
"Aligning the evolution of Bluetooth technology with
UWB supports seamless mobility by enabling consumers to acquire
and share media within the home, the auto, at work and on
the go," said Miguel Pellon, vice president, technology
standards, Motorola, Inc. "The Bluetooth SIG has set
a clear direction for addressing future consumer needs."
Members of the UWB Forum meeting in Las Vegas on Wednesday
have already begun defining how UWB technologies will work
and be interoperable with future Bluetooth wireless enabled
products.
"We know product designers today are growing overwhelmed
by the continued proliferation of wireless standards,"
said Mike McCamon executive director of the UWB Forum. "By
working closely with leaders in the wireless market, we intend
to simplify the playing field with scalable interoperable
standards. No one should want to invent an entirely new radio
design for every single use case."
With this collaborative approach, it will be possible to
maintain existing Bluetooth core values like low power, low
cost and unique ad hoc connectivity while enabling future
usage scenarios requiring higher data throughput. UWB will
benefit from Bluetooth technology's brand equity, market penetration
and technical and organizational maturity.
"The collaboration of both groups is a natural and necessary
evolution of the market," said Celeste Crystal, senior
research analyst, semiconductors, at IDC. "As consumers
continue to increase the use of portable and digital media
devices, the need for standardized, higher performance, low
power connectivity solutions becomes integral. Leveraging
Bluetooth technology's established brand and traction in the
consumer space with the higher data rate, lower power UWB
technology should enable a faster time to market for next
generation devices, and compliment the growing demand for
connectivity."
Before bringing products to the global market some fundamental
issues of UWB need to be resolved like interference issues
for Wireless LAN, WiMax and new Cellular bands, in addition
to the lack of a worldwide spectrum allocation for UWB.
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