| Intel leads the way in providing a new version of USB, called Certified Wireless USB, that strives to eliminate wire clutter and provide the convenience of high speed wireless technology for consumers.
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Universal Serial Bus, or USB, is the most successful interconnect in computing history. Originally released in 1995 at 12 megabits per second (Mbps), USB today operates at 480 Mbps and can be found in billions of PC, CE, and mobile devices. In addition to high performance and ubiquity, USB enjoys strong consumer brand recognition and a reputation for ease-of-use.
USB success has not been without a price: We now have wires that clutter the areas behind our PCs, entertainment centers, and mobile devices. In addition to being unsightly, these cables can be burdensome to connect and limit mobility in an increasingly connected world.
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Recent regulatory changes make it possible to combine the benefits of wired USB with the convenience of wireless technology. By using an Ultra–Wideband (UWB) radio defined by the WiMedia Alliance, Certified Wireless USB will deliver speeds up to 480 Mbps at three meters (and up to 110 Mbps at 10 meters). By broadcasting at low power over an extremely wide spectrum (3.1 to 10.5 GHz), Certified Wireless USB devices consume very little power and will coexist peacefully with other wireless technologies such as 802.11 and Bluetooth.
As a personal area wireless technology, Certified Wireless USB has been designed for high-throughput, short–range communication. It is not a networking technology: Certified Wireless USB continues the hub–and–spoke model used by wired USB in which a single host manages all data traffic–up to 127 devices. A host–centric model reduces complexity on the device side and enables significant cost savings.
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Certified Wireless USB has many significant advantages compared to other personal area wireless technologies. Foremost is the existing strength of the certified USB brand among consumers and the investment that manufacturers have in the USB architecture. Certified Wireless USB extends this existing and well–understood infrastructure rather than completely uprooting it and replacing it with something new.
The Certified Wireless USB specification was developed by seven promoter companies-Agere Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, Philips Semiconductors, and Samsung. Over 150 other companies have since become contributors to the Certified Wireless USB specification. Close involvement in the WiMedia Alliance will help ensure maximal industry coexistence and interoperability.
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The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a nonprofit industry trade association for USB standards, currently manages the Certified Wireless USB specification. The USB-IF delivers compliance and certification testing, provides trademark license agreements, and certifies products for the use of the Certified Wireless USB logo and brand.
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Consumers have indicated a strong preference for wireless technology: Manufacturers of personal computer, consumer electronic, and mobile devices should plan now to add Certified Wireless USB support to their product roadmaps.
For more information or to become involved, consider becoming a Certified Wireless USB adopter.
The Certified Wireless USB Specification is available from the USB–IF web site. |
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| Get Involved |
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Hear from the creators of Certified Wireless USB and learn how to incorporate Certified Wireless USB into your product roadmaps:
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| Intel Chairman Discusses UWB/Certified Wireless USB |
Today, wireless technologies are unwiring people everywhere. Watch a video clip of Intel Chairman Craig Barrett to learn what he has to say about UWB and Certified Wireless USB technologies. [Windows* Media 4.4MB] |
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| Related Links |
Industry Organizations:
Intel Web Pages:
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