Ultra Wide Band (UWB) is ready to add a new dimension to the world of wireless technologies. Looking at its capabilities, there are people who believe that UWB will eventually replace all wireless technologies. But the developers and propagators of this technology still feel that all wireless technologies will co-exist.

Wireless hot spots are mushrooming every where and yet we see a lot of wires even in a WiFi zone! We have just got rid of one wire in a network. What about all those wires that still hang around all digital entertainment and communication devices in a home or office? Wires that connect a PC to the monitor, wires that connect the home theater to a television, wires that connect a camcorder to a flat screen, wires that connect to a printer, scanner, headset and so on have still remained and not having them have remained aspirations.

Exhibits at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas proved that all these are no more aspirations. Vendors demonstrated the best use of a specific type of radio signal called Ultra Wide Band to make this aspiration in to a reality.

Ultra Wideband (UWB) brings us one step closer to wireless freedom. UWB is not a new technology. Originally developed for secure military communications and radar in the late 1960's, it is now free for general use.

While many claim the honor of inventing UWB, Dr Gerald F Ross first demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing UWB waveforms for radar and communications applications back in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Gerry was recognized by the National Academy of Engineering for his efforts in ultra wideband technology, and elected a member in 1995.

What is UWB?
Ultra Wide Band (UWB) is a wireless communications technology that transmits data in short pulses, which are spread out over a wide spectrum. Because the technology does not use a single frequency, UWB enjoys several potential advantages over single-frequency transmissions. For one, it can transmit data in large bursts because data is moving on several channels at once. Another advantage is that it can share frequencies that are used by other applications because it transmits only for extremely short periods, which do not last long enough to cause interference with other signals.

UWB applications
The very nature of UWB indicates wide possibilities with the kind of bandwidth that it supports. It has the ability to penetrate walls and transmit data at rates up to one gigabit per second. It could be an ideal technology for all communications within a single location, such as a home or small office environment. That means the same devices could contain the data to support high-speed Internet traffic, streaming video, and phone.

However, how much can be actually put to use will depend on what the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will allow. The FCC regulates all use of radio-emitting devices within the United States. Currently, FCC has relaxed the rules to allow research and development on Automotive collision-detection systems; medical imaging; law-enforcement or rescue applications; construction applications; high-speed home or office networking (indoor use); and outdoor use is restricted to handheld devices engaged only in peer-to-peer operation.

Wireless freedom
UWB offers great opportunities for short-range wireless multimedia networking. It is ideally suited for transmitting data between consumer electronics, PC peripherals, and mobile devices within short range (up to 10 meters) at very high speeds while consuming little power. The current rules limit communications devices to low-power use that prevents them from working beyond a relatively short distance (about 30 feet). However, it is believed that if the current rules prove UWB will not cause interference with existing RF devices, higher power devices could be approved.

Today, most computer and consumer electronic devices, everything from a digital camcorder and DVD player to a mobile PC and a high-definition TV (HDTV) require wires to record, play or exchange data. UWB could eliminate these wires.

A user could put a mobile PC on a desk and instantly be connected to a printer or scanner wirelessly. A laptop user could wirelessly connect to a digital projector in a conference room to deliver a presentation. An entire home entertainment center could be connected to each other without wires. Digital pictures could be transferred to a photo print kiosk for instant printing without the need of a cable. A digital camcorder could play a just-recorded video on a friend's HDTV without anyone having to attach wires. A portable MP3 player could stream audio to high-quality surround-sound speakers anywhere in the room.

Device developers
Time Domain is one of the early developers in the field of UWB. Xtreme, Intel, Lucent and AT&T are among the companies who have expressed interest in developing UWB devices capable of carrying voice, data and possibly video. The recent CES had over half a dozen companies
already demonstrating devices with UWB capabilities. These companies included: FOCUS Enhancements, TZero Technologies, silex technology america, Wisair, Intellon, WiQuest Communications, and iAnywhere others.

Standards promoters
While UWB hopes to create a revolution in high-speed wireless technology, the groups finalizing the standards for this technology are marred by internal conflicts. The IEEE 802.15 Task Group 3a, which was supposed to create the standard for a high data rate, wireless personal area network (WPAN) technology called UWB, however, had a faction moving out in 2004 to form the MBOA Group. MBOA Group later merged with WiMedia. Meanwhile, another faction led by Motorola and its offshoot Freescale Semiconductor went on to form the UWB Forum.

Just a month ago, the TG3a was voted to dissolve. This has however brought the other two groups together. On January 19, 2006, the UWB Forum and WiMedia Alliance issued a joint statement to say they would continue to grow the UWB market, despite the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.3a Task Group (TG3a) will soon be history.

The WiMedia Alliance is a non-profit open industry association that promotes and enables the rapid adoption, regulation, standardization and multi-vendor interoperability of ultra wideband (UWB) worldwide. WiMedia-based UWB specifications have been architected and optimized for wireless personal-area networks. They deliver high-speed (480 Mbps and beyond), low-power multimedia capabilities for the PC, CE, mobile and automotive market segments. Emphasizing peaceful coexistence with other wireless services, WiMedia's UWB common platform is designed to operate with application stacks developed by the 1394 Trade Association Wireless Working Group, the Wireless USB Promoter Group and the Bluetooth-SIG.

The UWB Forum is another industry organization comprised of leading semiconductor, software, OEM/ODM and consumer product companies dedicated to ensuring that UWB products from multiple vendors are truly interoperable, from mobile phones to set-top boxes, from computers to televisions to digital camcorders and more.

NELSON JOHNY

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