============================== Wireless Systems Design UPDATE PlanetEE - www.planetee.com WSD - www.wsdmag.com June 24, 2004 ==============================

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Today's Table of Contents: 1. Viewpoint: History Repeated Over Mojave Desert 2. Cell Phones No Longer Free From Attack 3. Wi-Fi's Wobbly Future 4. Yet Another Carrier Rolls Out EV-DO 5. PCB Design Tools Embrace Life Cycle Management 6. GSM/GPRS Spread Throughout Russian Continent 7. Swedish Coastal Town Goes Wireless 8. New Books > Mobile IPv6: Mobility in a Wireless Internet > The Firmware Handbook 9. In-Depth Coverage Links > Decrypt The Keys To Wireless Security > Wi-Fi Popularity Extends To 5 GHz 10. Happenings

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*********** 1. Viewpoints *********** History Repeated Over Mojave Desert By John Blyler, Executive Editor

Was anyone as awestruck as I with this week's successful flight of SpaceShipOne (SS1)? History has again repeated itself over the Mojave Desert as brave men toiled to send a rocket plane into the fringes of space. In an aircraft that looked remarkably like the Bell X1 - the first rocket plane to break the sound barrier back in 1947 - today's SS1 reached a record-breaking altitude 328,491 feet (roughly 62 miles). This achievement made test pilot Mike Melvill the first civilian to fly a spaceship out of the atmosphere.

Some of you might remember that NASA's X-15 rocket planes achieved the same goal back in the 1960s. Unfortunately, this promising type of space flight lost out to the suborbital rocket approach used by the Mercury project. For those who have forgotten this early history of spaceflight, I recommend Tom Wolfe's classic book, "The Right Stuff."

Over the years since the X-15 flights, NASA has continued to explore ways to efficiently fly near the edges of Earth's atmosphere with projects like the X-30 National Aerospace Plane (NASP). Sadly, this project was cancelled in the early 1990's due to budgetary cuts and technical obstacles, e.g., scramjet engines (really cool technology but darn tough to build).

Which brings me to my concluding thoughts about the success of SpaceShipOne. Here was a privately funded project that built on the past success of government backed research and development activities. This same process has also created most of the commercially funded wireless technologies that we enjoy today, (see WSD magazine, Sep 2002 - "Wireless Roots Pay Off For Defense Technology." For convenience, this article has been posted under the WSD Update e-Newsletter archive - see below.) This process demonstrates the way in which difficult and risky innovations can be turned into economically profitable products for the general public. Governments assume the risks of investigating new technologies, after which private funds can be used to refine these technologies into actual products and services. This is a tried and true model for technology transfer that leads to economic growth - jobs, in layman terms. (For a good overview of this process, see Banscomb's and Auerswald's book, "Taking Technical Risks," - reviewed in the March 2004 issue of WSD magazine.)

But this critical model only works if the government is willing to spend money on R&D projects. Unfortunately, recent studies from the National Science Foundation indicate that U.S. R&D budgets have increased by only 1 percent between 2002 and 2003 after accounting for inflation. Further, since 2000, there has been little change in total U.S. R&D in real terms (constant or inflation-adjusted dollars).

History has shown that technological advances lead to economic growth. But R&D drives major technology innovation. Can the US maintain it's technological edge without continued investment in basic R&D? Please share your thoughts with our readers via the WSD Forum. Or you can contact me directly at: mailto:j.blyler@penton.com

Reference Links: WSD Forums page --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BCIN0Az Wireless Roots Pay Off For Defense Technology --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRr0Ar Taking Technical Risks --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRs0As SpaceShipOne --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRt0At Mecury Project --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRu0Au Boeing X-Projects --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRv0Av National Science Foundation --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRw0Aw

******** 2. News ******** Cell Phones No Longer Free From Attack

The first-ever wirelessly transmitted worm was released onto SmartPhones this week. Known as EPOC.Cabir, this proof-of-concept worm replicates itself on Nokia Series 60 cellular phones. The worm repeatedly sends itself to the first Bluetooth-enabled device that it can find, regardless of the type of device. For example, even a Bluetooth-enabled printer will be attacked if it is within range. The worm spreads as a .SIS file, which is installed into the APPS directory when the receiver accepts the transmission. Upon execution, it will display a message then copy itself to a directory that is not visible by default. There is no payload attached to the worm, apart from the vastly shortened battery life caused by the constant scanning for Bluetooth-enabled devices. Symantec --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRx0Ax ******** 3. News ******** Wi-Fi's Wobbly Future

[Commentary from Wi-Fi Networking News] If being wrong about the value of fiber-optic cable wasn't bad enough, George Gilder now predicts that Wi-Fi will be killed by 3G: Gilder specifically says that 1xEvDO will kill Wi-Fi, which can't be the case because 1xEvDO is too asymmetrical: it has a typical upload speed of 50 kilobits per second (Kbps) and download speeds of 200 to 400 Kbps on average. Compare this with the service being rolled out across the downtown area in Salem, MA, which is deploying three 6 Mbps downstream, 1 Mbps upstream ADSL connections as part of SalemOpen.net for a cost of about $180 per month total. There's a lot more bandwidth potential in the conventional wireline side using plain copper. Wi-Fi Networking News --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRy0Ay Forbes --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRz0Az

******** 4. News ******* Yet Another Carrier Rolls Out EV-DO

Sprint recently unveiled plans to meet demands for faster wireless data speeds by deploying EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) technology across its PCS network. With average user speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second and peak rates of up to 2.4 Megabits per second for downloads, EV-DO will accelerate mobile-device data speeds up to 10 times faster than on today's cellular network. Sprint expects to design and deploy EV-DO with initial service available in select markets in the second half of 2004. Launches in the majority of top metropolitan markets in the United States are targeted for 2005. Existing Sprint PCS Connection Cards and handsets will continue to work at current speeds within EV-DO service areas. To take advantage of the higher speeds that EV-DO offers, customers will be able to purchase EV-DO-enabled handsets and Sprint PCS Connection Cards. Sprint --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR10Am

************************ ADVERTISEMENT ************************** Your product or technology could be seen in this e-newsletter! Each week tens-of-thousands of engineering professionals look to our email newsletters to help them keep current, do their jobs, and make informed purchasing decisions. For advertising information, call Craig Roth at 1-201-845-2448 or send email to mailto:croth@penton.com *******************************************************************

******** 5. News ******** PCB Design Tools Embrace Life Cycle Management

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. just announced the release of the Allegro Design Workbench software suite, a new family of products for the Allegro system interconnect design platform. This release also incorporates the MatrixOne, Inc., product lifecycle management technology, which marks the formal entry by Cadence into the collaborative design and library data management market. Using Allegro Design Workbench, board design groups can now collaborate throughout the development life cycle. One of the many benefits includes the capability to quickly look-up approved parts contained in the company parts library through a parametric search. As bills of materials are created, they can be easily shared with the extended design team, procurement and electronic manufacturing services providers. Cadence --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0paF0Au MatrixOne --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJND0A2

***************** 6. International News ***************** GSM/GPRS Spread Throughout Russian Continent

Alcatel recently announced the signing of a contract worth more than 6 million USD with VimpelCom, a Russian mobile operator (offering services under the Bee Line brand name). This contract enables the use of Alcatel's mobile solutions in the deployment of Bee Linenetworks in the Ural region. Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will deliver and put into operation its Evolium end-to-end solution including mobile switching centers (NSS), Base Station Sub-systems (BSS) and GPRS subsystems, for the cities of Izhevsk and Udmurdskaya republic, Syktivkar and Komi republic, Kirov and Kirovskaya oblast. In the past, Alcatel had already supplied VimpelCom with mobile switching equipment, GPRS equipment and base stations. Alcatel --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR20An VimpelCom --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR30Ao

***************** 7. International News ***************** Swedish Coastal Town Goes Wireless Kungsbacka, one of the rapidly growing coastal municipalities in Sweden, has deployed Aperto Networks' 3.5 GHz systems for broadband wireless access (BWA) serving both rural and urban areas of the municipality. Five Aperto PacketWave base stations will provide complete BWA to the region. The new Aperto-powered network - which the company claims are 802.16 class BWA systems - complements the extensive fiber and radio infrastructure already in operation. Transtema, one of Sweden's systems integrators, has designed and deployed the network. It is using the municipality's newly-granted 3.5 GHz license and Aperto Networks' 802.16 class BWA systems. Aperto --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR40Ap Transtema --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR50Aq

************** 8. New Books ************** Mobile IPv6: Mobility in a Wireless Internet By Hesham Soliman. Published by Addison Wesley Professional. ISBN: 0201788977 This book covers the key enabling technology for a new generation of mobile data and multimedia services with roaming - even between wireless and wired networks. Here, IPv6 mobility is introduced from the standpoint of practical implementers. http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR60Ar

The Firmware Handbook By Jack Ganssle- Publisher by Elsevier ISBN: 0-7506-7606-X Providing a comprehensive reference, this handbook aims to help firmware developers increase their skills and productivity. It addresses each critical step of the development process in detail, including how to optimize hardware design for better firmware. Elsevier --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BIsF0Af

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**************************** 9. In-Depth Coverage Links **************************** Internet-Protocol security encryption offers network and security managers a means of securing broadband wireless networks. To learn more, read: "Decrypt The Keys To Wireless Security." http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR70As

Recent events may show the industry how to dramatically alter the landscape for 802.11a products in the 5-GHz band. To learn more, read: "Wi-Fi Popularity Extends To 5 GHz." http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJR80At

************************* 10. Happenings - Conferences ************************* Agilent Advanced Network Analyzer Measurements eSeminar July 13, 11:00 AM (PT) At your desktop http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJRq0Aq

iWireless World July 21-22, 2004 Universal Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, CA http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJSA0A4

Open Source Convention July 26-30, 2004 Marriott Downtown, Portland, OR http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BIyU0A1

Emerging Electronic Technology Conference August 16-18, 2004 The Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BIyV0A2

Embedded Systems Conference September 13-16, 2004 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJSB0A5

PCIA Wireless Infrastructure Conference October 5-7, 2004 Gaylord Texan Convention Center, Dallas, TX http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/egTW0CWyaL0Emn0BJSC0A6

Read past issues of Wireless Systems Design UPDATE e-Newsletter: http://www.planetee.com/Index.cfm?Action=Email

WIRELESS SYSTEMS DESIGN UPDATE e-NEWSLETTER CONTACTS ==================================================== Executive Editor: John Blyler mailto:jblyler@penton.com

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