============================== Wireless Systems Design UPDATE WSD ==> www.wsdmag.com February 7, 2006 ==============================

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Today's Table of Contents: 1. Viewpoint: UWB Versus Wi-Fi: The Battle For Video Transport 2. RF Front-End Module Complies With 802.11n Spec 3. 3.5G Evaluation Module Shrinks Radio Footprint 4. Multiband WCDMA/EDGE Transceiver Fits In One Chip 5. Conexant Modem Technology Enables Wi-Fi Videophones 6. RFIC Simulator Upgrade Speeds Design Time 7. UWB Chip Set Hits 1 Gbit/s 8. Happenings - Conferences 9. Book Review

************* 1. Viewpoint *************

UWB Versus Wi-Fi: The Battle For Video Transport

By Louis E. Frenzel, W5LEF, Communications/Networking Editor

One of the hottest topics today is wireless video. Conference discussions are plentiful, and companies are announcing various products and services. Many of these developments center on cell-phone video. Haven't we all wondered who would want to try to watch TV on such a small screen? The answer is that apparently more of us are willing than it appears. Or at least many of us have an open mind to it. So, it's happening rather quickly. Wireless TV -- what a concept! But another wireless video issue is emerging. Specifically, which wireless technology will be the medium of choice for home video networking? There's Ultra-Wideband (UWB), and then there's Wi-Fi (802.11n)...

Read the entire article at http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20040:4787DE

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Flight of the ZigBee: A Top Hit for 2006

There's been buzz for years about the ZigBee wireless standard and its applications. Now that the silicon and software are finally available, we can expect real-world products this year. Get up to speed on this hot technology with Communications/Networking Editor Louis Frenzel's special report, "ZigBee Zooms To Market."

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2003E:4787DE

And if you're sold on using ZigBee, what's out there to help with development? Read Embedded/Systems/Software Editor Bill Wong's hands-on review of three ZigBee development kits that help you take to the airwaves.

http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2003F:4787DE

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********* 2. News *********

RF Front-End Module Complies With 802.11n Spec

The fully tested SE2545A10 RF front-end module for Wi-Fi products complies with the IEEE 802.11n draft specification, which will enhance the range and throughput of Wi-Fi while maintaining backward compatibility with the enormous installed base of wirless local-area network (WLAN) infrastructure. It integrates the two full dual-band transmit/receive chains (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) required for multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) operation. It also replaces up to 60 components, providing all of the circuitry required between the transceiver and the antenna in a single lead-free chip-scale package measuring 10 by 14 by 1.1 mm. Pricing is $6.95 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The SE2545A10 is sampling now. A higher-power variant of the SE2545A10 will be available later this year for access points and PCs.

SiGe Semiconductor ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2004D:4787DE

********** 3. News **********

3.5G Evaluation Module Shrinks Radio Footprint

The EM3200 multiband HSDPA/WEDGE radio evaluation module for 3.5G handset applications incorporates a complete triband WCDMA (bands I, II, and V), quad-band GSM/EDGE radio subsystem built around the SW3200 single-chip CMOS RF transceiver. This compact multiband radio design from Sirific Wireless incorporates roughly 130 components in a board area of less than 7.0 square cm. Sirific's SW3200 transceiver supports transmit and receive operation in all four EDGE, GPRS, and GSM bands, as well as five WCDMA bands (I, II, III, IV and V) with HSDPA downlink data rates up to 10.2 Mbits/s. It also interfaces directly to WEDGE baseband processors by means of an integrated 2.5G DigRF-compliant digital baseband interface and an analog baseband interface. The EM3200 kit includes radio module hardware, documentation, and technical support. It costs $950.

Sirific Wireless ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20046:4787DE

********** 4. News **********

Multiband WCDMA/EDGE Transceiver Fits In One Chip

Infineon Technologies is now sampling its SMARTi 3GE dual-mode WCDMA/EDGE RF transceiver, which the company claims is the first single-chip six-band WCDMA and quad-band EDGE solution. It measures 6 by 6 mm and frees up more than 40 percent of board space compared to Infineon's previous two-chip solution. SMARTi3 GE handles quad-band GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and currently defined UMTS bands I through VI, allowing global roaming between Europe, the U.S., and Japan. For emerging data applications, the chip offers data rates as high as 7.2 Mbits/s in WCDMA downlink by supporting the HSDPA protocol category 8. The SMARTi 3GE chip is built with the company's standard 130-nm CMOS RF technology. It comes in lead-free and halogen-free leadless packages. Samples are available now, with volume production scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2006.

Infineon Technologies ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2004A:4787DE

********** 5. News **********

Conexant Modem Technology Enables Wi-Fi Videophones

Conexant Systems' wireless networking 802.11g and V.92 dial-up modem technology is the foundation for LG-Nortel's Wi-Fi videophones. Conexant offers a suite of IEEE 802.11a/b/g and dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) chip sets, firmware, software, drivers, and reference designs. The LVP videophones, currently being deployed by major operators in Europe, let users make video phone calls using Wi-Fi technology to connect to a broadband access network or over the public switched telephone line (PSTN). LG-Nortel's LVP series videophones have a small camera attached to the upper part of a 3.5-in. LCD to capture video of the caller. The video is transmitted using 802.11g Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology to the Internet over a broadband or dial-up modem connection. An integrated V.92 modem connection enables users to transmit video phone calls over existing copper phone lines.

Conexant Systems ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20049:4787DE LG-Nortel ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20048:4787DE

********** 6. News **********

RFIC Simulator Upgrade Speeds Design Time

The latest release of the GoldenGate RFIC simulator features upgrades that speed simulation and analysis. Version 4.0 includes the ability to run Monte Carlo analysis on parallel machines, improved memory efficiency, and 64-bit support. GoldenGate is integrated with Cadence's Analog Design Environment (ADE) and uses Spectre Process Design Kits natively without the need for translation. RFIC designers can analyze ACPR, EVM, Gain Compression, SSNA, and IP3 in minutes at the transistor level. Complete transceivers can be simulated with industry-standard modulated sources. GoldenGate is powerful enough to simulate designs with over 15,000 active devices and over 1 million post parasitic elements. Foundry-proven accuracy helps provide higher yields and fewer design spins.

Xpedion Design Systems ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2004C:4787DE

********** 7. News **********

UWB Chip Set Hits 1 Gbit/s

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) designers now can pour on the speed. The WQST110 baseband processor and the WQST101 direct-conversion RF transceiver operate at 1 Gbit/s. Developer WiQuest Communications says it's the first UWB chip set using the WiMedia standard to offer this performance. Also, it fully complies with the WiMedia UWB physical-layer (PHY) and media-access controller (MAC) standards. The WQST110 contains a baseband PHY and MAC engine, a high-speed Advanced Encryption Standard security processor, and a quality-of-service (QoS) manager. Its host interfaces include a 32-bit PCI bus, a 16-bit general-purpose interface, a 480-Mbit/s USB 2.0 dual-role controller with fully integrated tranceiver, and a two-wire I2C serial port. The WQST101 RF transceiver operates in the WiMedia band group 1 (3.168 to 4.752 GHz) and meets the FCC's strict Part 15 transmit power limit of -41.3 dBm/MHz. Samples are available now. WiQuest also offers the WQST100EVK development kit platform and reference designs.

WiQuest Communications ==> http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2004B:4787DE

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******************************* 8. Happenings - Conferences *******************************

RFID World February 27-March 1, 2006 Gaylord Texan Resort, Dallas, TX http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20044:4787DE

Gartner Wireless & Mobile Summit March 27-29, 2006 Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20042:4787DE

Broadband Wireless World April 26-28, 2006 Caesar's Palace Event Center, Las Vegas, NV http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20043:4787DE

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**************** 9. Book Review ****************

"What The Dormouse Said" How the 60s Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry

By John Markoff

It's tempting for many of us to date the origins of the "personal computer era" to IBM's 1981 introduction of the PC. Of course, the concept of the personal computer is much older, dating to at least the early 1970s. But what is lesser known to many computer enthusiasts is just how that concept came about, and even more compellingly, just what a product of its times the concept of "personal computing" really was...

Read the entire book review at http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=2003D:4787DE

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Read past issues of Wireless Systems Design UPDATE e-Newsletter: http://news.electronicdesign.com/t?ctl=20041:4787DE

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WIRELESS SYSTEMS DESIGN UPDATE e-NEWSLETTER CONTACTS ==================================================== Editor: Louis E. Frenzel Mail to: mailto:lfrenzel@sbcglobal.net

Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities: Bill Baumann Send e-mail to: mailto:bbaumann@penton.com ====================================================

Copyrighted 2006 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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