============================== Wireless Systems Design UPDATE PlanetEE - www.planetee.com WSD - www.wsdmag.com May 3, 2005 ==============================

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Today's Table of Contents: 1. The Future Of Wi-Fi 2. One Network Supports 2G And 3G 3. HDTV Streams Through Walls 4. Open-Source Configuration Comes To WLANs 5. WLAN Solution Claims Interference Immunity 6. Motorola Invests In China 7. Cellular Handsets Welcome WLAN Modules 8. Happenings - Conferences

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*************** 1. Off The Cuff *************** The Future of Wi-Fi by Bill Carney, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Digital Signal Processing Systems, Residential Gateway and Embedded Systems Group, Texas Instruments, Inc., www.ti.com

The engine of technical innovation churns continuously, spewing out numerous advancements to existing products as well as creating entirely new product directions. In the last couple of years, the advent and adoption of Wi-Fi has proven this trend. A number of enhancements and extensions to the underlying standard are being proposed or are already under development. Nine active task groups are currently working within 802.11 to define the following extensions and advancements: 802.11e; Quality of Service (QoS): TGe is close to completing work that will allow for improvements in the way multimedia and prioritized traffic classes are handled. 802.11k; Radio Resources: Service operators and enterprise customers are expected to deploy the features coming from this group to better manage the connections between wireless devices and access points/gateways. 802.11n; High Throughput: This group will define the next physical-layer specification allowing throughput speed in excess of 100 Mbps. 802.11p; Vehicular Access: This task group is working on creating a standardized means of communicating by and between vehicles and roadside-infrastructure base stations. 802.11r; Fast Roaming: Soon, Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices will need the ability to quickly transition between different networks as a user or subscriber moves. 802.11r will add this new functionality. 802.11s; MESH Networking: Here, every device in a network becomes capable of repeating or relaying data to a node that is farther away from the access point. In doing so, MESH becomes a method for extending the reach of a given infrastructure. 802.11t; Wireless Performance: TGt is exploring methods that will improve the uniformity by which the radio link characteristics are evaluated and possibly measured. 802.11u; Interworking with Other Networks: This task group intends to develop methods by which the various networks can signal certain information between them to simplify network handovers and roaming. 802.11v; Wireless Network Management: Primarily oriented to operators and carriers, the result of 11v will improve service offerings over Wi-Fi networks. With the previously described enhanced features likely to be added to the Wi-Fi specification in the coming years, the stage is set for its broader adoption by additional product classes beyond today's traditional applications. As such, the evolution of Wi-Fi also will be driven by two more trends: Wi-Fi everywhere and in everything. Think of it as ubiquitous Wi-Fi.

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********* 2. News ********* One Network Supports 2G And 3G

Backhaul wireless links have become a major target for convergence and cost savings. To help on both of these fronts, Agere Systems unveiled its TrueAdvantage Wireless Access Solutions. These solutions flaunt new technology that allows current and future wireless systems to be simultaneously supported over a single network. The TrueAdvantage solutions consist of a broad family of feature-rich networking chips, such as APP network processors and a Link Layer Processor (LLP). The company enables the convergence of 2/2.5G and 3G network applications into a single solution by integrating legacy 2/2.5G protocols, such as Transcoder Rate Adapter Unit (TRAU), Frame Relay, and AAL1 Circuit Emulation, into a solution that also provides 3G protocol support.

Agere Systems ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF5:FFCBF

********** 3. News ********** HDTV Streams Through Walls

Later this year, FOCUS Enhancements, Inc. hopes to enable consumer products that will transmit multiple high-definition (HD) streams throughout the home. In the meantime, the company's semiconductor group is demonstrating the transmission of two high-definition-TV (HDTV) streams through walls at its Hillsboro, OR facility. The FOCUS Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip sets promise to extend the WiMedia/MBOA UWB standard to better meet the requirements of video and high-speed data distribution through the future home and office. The company expects to sample UWB chip sets in the third quarter of 2005. Performance expectations are anticipated to range from 880 Mbps at 8 m to 37 Mbps at around 40+ m.

FOCUS Enhancements ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF1:FFCBF

********** 4. News ********** Open-Source Configuration Comes To WLANs

For wireless-local-area-network (WLAN) product vendors, proprietary security systems have made it difficult to provide easy, secure network configuration while supporting a broad array of platforms. In response, Atheros Communications, Inc. will offer its JumpStart for Wireless security-configuration software on an open-source basis for free use by anyone in the WLAN industry. The availability of the JumpStart Developer's Kit marks the first time that all of the elements needed by customers to create and offer a user-friendly WLAN-security setup system have been provided in open-source form. The JumpStart open-source code, license, and supporting materials will be available from SourceForge at http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF8:FFCBF

Atheros Communications ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF4:FFCBF

********** 5. News ********** WLAN Solution Claims Interference Immunity

Despite the convenience of WLAN architectures, the enterprises that rely on them often struggle with issues like space-spectrum efficiency, latency, scaling, and more. Extricom hopes to end such problems with its Interference-Free WLAN solution. The solution's identical UltraThin APs contain no storage or software. They become fully operational as soon as they are connected to Extricom's Wireless Switch. Together, they provide dynamic, packet-by-packet diversity processing. The combination always chooses the optimal AP based upon real-time conditions as each packet is sent. Every user associates once with the network--not with each AP. The Wireless Switch and UltraThin APs will be available in quantity this month.

Extricom ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF2:FFCBF

********************** 6. International News ********************** Motorola Invests In China

China remains a hot target for engineering firms, as evidenced by Motorola's launch of a new development center. Based in Beijing, this center will focus on developing next-generation 3G technologies for Motorola's Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Mobile Broadband via High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) solutions. Motorola has now invested over $450 million U.S. in China in 16 research and development centers. Over 1800 personnel are focusing on R&D activities alone. HSDPA--the next evolution of 3G UMTS--will enhance UMTS networks and help provide significant performance benefits and reduced costs in the deployment of high-speed wireless data access.

Motorola ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF3:FFCBF

********************** 7. International News ********************** Cellular Handsets Welcome WLAN Modules

Recently, the industry witnessed both the widespread adoption of WLANs and the consumer desire for more cellular-feature integration. In response, SiGe Semiconductor, Inc. announced its WLAN RF front-end modules. The RangeCharger SE2551A and SE2557A allow the simultaneous transmission and reception of WLAN and cellular signals. Operating in 802.11g mode, the devices consume just 120 mA. The RF front ends boast typical rejection of 35 dB in all four GSM bands in both transmit and receive mode. The modules are capable of +15-dBm output power with an EVM of less than 3% while operating in 802.11g mode or +17 dBm in 802.11b mode. The SE2551A and SE2557A are sampling now.

SiGe Semiconductor ==> http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF7:FFCBF

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******************************* 8. Happenings - Conferences ******************************* ISCe 2005 May 31 to June 2, 2005 Long Beach, CA http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FF6:FFCBF

The Networked Home June 8-9, 2005 Rennaissance Hotel, Amsterdam http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FED:FFCBF

WCA 2005 18th Annual Global Convention June 28 to July 1, 2005 Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FEE:FFCBF

WNCG Wireless Networking Symposium 2005 October 26 - 28, 2005 The Driskill Hotel Downtown, Austin, TX http://nls.planetee.com/t?ctl=8FEB:FFCBF

Read past issues of Wireless Systems Design UPDATE e-Newsletter: http://www.wsdmag.com

WIRELESS SYSTEMS DESIGN UPDATE e-NEWSLETTER CONTACTS ==================================================== Editor: Nancy K. Friedrich Mail to: nfriedrich@penton.com

Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities: Bill Baumann at: bbaumann@penton.com ====================================================

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