wireless usb

ALSO NOTED: 3G iPhone watch: AT&T discourages vacations; Google vs. Verizon, round 2; and much more...

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:59:51 -0400

> 3G iPhone watch: AT&T discourages vacations Article

> On the Hot Seat with T-Mobile USA's Neville Ray on its 3G rollout Article

> The market for wireless USB could reach $1 billion by 2013 with chip prices down to $2, said IMS Research. Article

And Finally... Google versus Verizon, round 2. Article

Wireless startups garner $515.5M in February

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

It looks like we're seeing a shift in the tide in terms of where the VC money is going in the wireless industry. For so long, the bulk of investments were going to start-up mobile application-type companies. Rutberg & Co., however, indicates that some 30 companies, primarily device, semiconductor and carrier infrastructure sectors, in February received a combined $515.5 million in VC money.

Leading the way was TerreStar Networks, the satellite firm that is developing an integrated satellite and terrestrial broadband network that will incorporate what it calls "4G technology." The company pulled in $300 million. WiMAX chipmaker Sequans received $28 million while wireless USB chip vendor took home $24 million.

To read more about VC money in the wireless industry:
- take a look at this article from Unstrung

Related articles:
- TerreStar mulls 700 MHz bid Report
- TerreStar picks Accenture for 4G network Report
- Telsima, Sequans capitalizing on Indian WiMAX market Editorial

CradlePoint offers WiFi hotspot to go

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:59:53 -0500

CradlePoint has introduced what it calls a Personal Hotspot that enables a 1xEV-DO USB modem or handset to create a WiFi hotspot to extend Internet access to any WiFi-enabled device and share connectivity. The device, called the PHS300, uses patent-pending technology called WiPipe and is highly intuitive, requiring no special software to enable broadband access via WiFi on PCs, PDAs, MP3 players, game devices and more.

The Personal Hotspot will be available with support for a number of USB Modems from Sierra Wireless, Novatel Wireless and Franklin Wireless. In addition, select mobile phones, PDA and Blackberry devices can also be linked to the PHS300 to provide instant Internet access, provided that a phone-as-a-modem plan is activated.

For a look at the PHS300:
- check out the company's web site
- read this article from MobileTechNews

First UWB devices certified

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

The WiMedia Alliance, the group behind the ultrawideband high speed wireless technology, has certified the first chipsets for UWB. UWB will bring about wireless USB and next-gen Bluetooth. UWB is designed to deliver 480 Mbps over a few meters, making short range data transfer quicker. Not only is UWB faster, but proponents say it will help conserve battery life. The group certified chipsets from 12 vendors, including Intel, Alereon and Staccato.

For more on the new chipsets and UWB:
- read this article from PC World

Related articles:
UWB shows signs of life
UWB to pass WiFi

Staccato shows single-chip, all-CMOS UWB solution

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 19:01:37 -0500

UWB came on the scene with much fanfare, but the words "rousing success" would not be the first ones to leap to mind when trying to describe the technology's market success to date. Still, there is movement on the UWB front. Staccato Communications is introducing its Ripcord family of products. Ripcord is the industry's first true single-chip, all-CMOS solution based on the WiMedia Alliance's UWB common radio platform and the Certified Wireless USB specification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). Ripcord is implemented in a complete System-In-Package (SiP) using 110nm digital CMOS process technology.

The Ripcord products include specific devices targeted for Host Wire Adapter (HWA), Device Wire Adapter (DWA), Native SDIO, a PHY-only solution, and three production-ready reference designs. The cost catches our eye: The company says that Ripcord provides a complete, fully integrated solution for the first commercial applications of high-speed UWB at 480 Mbps at less than $10 per node in volume. Ripcord consolidates all hardware and software components necessary to implement a solution based on Certified Wireless USB into a single 12x14.5mm package in a 120 LGA Pb-free SiP. In most product designs, customers would not need more than an external antenna for a complete node based on Certified Wireless USB.

"Staccato's choice of a single-chip, all CMOS-based design is important because, as history has shown, lowering cost and increasing levels of integration can significantly accelerate the adoption curve of new technologies," says In-Stat's Brian O'Rourke. "We expect the Certified Wireless USB market to begin in late 2006 with significant growth in 2007 and 2008. Overall, we anticipate the shipment of Wireless USB-enabled products will grow 193% annually from 2006 through 2009. We expect Staccato to be well-positioned in the market for Certified Wireless USB products."

Read more about Staccato's new design:
- in this press release

ALSO: At Macworld this week, Belkin, Gefen and Delphi show products based on UWB. Report

SPOTLIGHT: See mom, no cables

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 19:01:33 -0500

Freescale yesterday unveiled its strategy for a wireless version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) using UWB technology, backed by the first UWB products from Belkin and Gefen. The two peripheral manufacturers backed Freescale's new CableFree USB initiative, Freescale's response to the Wireless USB moniker adopted by the competing and incompatible Intel-backed UWB initiative. The Wireless USB coalition will use this year's CES to announce new products, but Belkin and Gefen moved first with UWB-based USB hubs. Article