Wireless Systems Design UPDATE PlanetEE - www.planetee.com WSD - www.wsdmag.com

August 25, 2004 

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Please see below for address-change or subscribe/unsubscribe instructions. Today's Table of Contents: 1. Viewpoint: Wireless Future Holds Engineering Challenges 2. Off-The-Cuff: The Seven Effective Points For Understanding Outsourcing 3. Micro-Flying Robot Uses Bluetooth Technology 4. CDMA versus GSM - What are the Real Differences? 5. Combination Wi-Fi/Cellular Offerings Face Obstacles 6. Tool Aids High Frequency and Low Power Designs 7. RF Company Arrives in China 8. Finnish Company Goes with US IT Firm 9. New Books > GPRS in Practice: A Companion to the Specifications > Black Hat: Misfits, Criminals, and Scammers in the Internet Age 10. In-Depth Coverage Links > Are Wireless Devices Too Hot To Handle? > Reduce The "Buzz" In Cellular Phones 11. Happenings - Conferences 12. Happenings - Webinars

 

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***********  1. Viewpoint  ***********  Wireless Future Holds Engineering Challenges By Brian Faith, Director, Logic Product Marketing, QuickLogic Corp

The increasing popularity of 802.11 wireless local-area-network (WLAN) technology helps to prove that wireless is the wave of the future. Consumers want to be free from the confines of wires and cables. At the same time, they want to stay... Read the whole viewpoint at --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoU0Av QuickLogic Corp --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BDXV0AS

 

************* 2. Off-The-Cuff ************* The Seven Effective Points For Understanding Outsourcing By John Blyler, Executive Editor

Few in the US technology community are surprised why outsourcing remains a hot topic. The reason is that no one seems safe from job loss, regardless of educational background, skill set or experience. Is it any wonder that this topic remains an emotional sore spot for most technology professionals?

One of the more useful documents from which to begin a reasonable discussion on offshore outsourcing is a report issued last spring by the American Electronic Association's Board of Directors. You can read the entire document at their web site (see below). For the record, I have no idea of who really funded this study. Nor do I agree with all of the conclusions reaches by the authors. Nevertheless, this report does offer seven statements of understanding, which can serve as a good basis from which to discuss the emotionally-charged topic of outsourcing.

So, without further ado, here are the seven statements of understanding: 1. Although the magnitude of offshore outsourcing is unknown, some workers are being hurt.

2. Job loss over the last three years is less from offshore outsourcing than from a weak international and domestic economy and from productivity improvements.

3. Changes in the international marketplace are posing significant new competitive challenges for US companies: > Other countries have caught up. > Offshoring is a global trend. > Demographic factors continue to alter international competition and the Internet facilitates the flow of work between countries.

4. Given today's angst over offshore outsourcing, we need to recall the similar angst in the US in the late 1980s that Japan was going to take over the world.

5. Ironically, the US remains an immensely attractive location for foreign direct investment and insourcing, employing millions of Americans.

6.Offshore outsourcing is likely to be a long-term competitive benefit.

7. High-tech stands to lose the most.

These are the seven main points that the AeA author's believe everyone must understand in order to rationally discuss offshore outsourcing in the US. Do you agree? I welcome your opinions. Please note that I will answer all emails sent to mailto:jblyler@penton.com. However, I would prefer to capture this discussion on the WSD Forums page (see below). Good debating!

Reference Links: AeA Report on Offshore Outsourcing --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoV0Aw Wireless Systems Design Forum Page --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BCIN0A3

 

******** 3. News ******** Micro-Flying Robot Uses Bluetooth Technology

Seiko Epson Corp ("Epson") recently announced that it has successfully developed a lighter and more advanced successor to its first generation Micro-Flying Robot ("FR"). Turning once again to micromechatronics technology, the company has created the FR-II micro-flying robot, which they claim is the world's lightest and most advanced microrobot. It features Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight, i.e., the capability to follow a computer-programmed flight path. The FR-II will be on display at the Emerging Technology Fair, part of the Future Creation Fair that runs from August 27 to 30 at the Tokyo International Forum. Seiko Espon --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoW0Ax Emerging Technology Fair --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoX0Ay

 

******** 4. News ******** CDMA versus GSM - What are the Real Differences?

Aside from walkie-talkie functionality via iDEN, the cellular world has been long on talk and short on results when technology camps discuss their relative superiority. For the first time in almost a decade, American Technology Research sees a significant difference that will be material to the fortunes of the various carriers competing in mixed technology markets. They believe that CDMA 1X EV-DO is the first cellular technology that appears to have a sustainable time advantage (greater than 18 months), while simultaneously allowing carriers to have a differentiated service offering over rivals. The research firm expects the market to begin paying a premium for EV-DO enabled carriers in mixed markets relative to GPRS/EDGE based carriers. American Tech --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoY0Az

******** 5. News ******* Combination Wi-Fi/Cellular Offerings Face Obstacles

Another limited combined Wi-Fi/cellular offering hits the market, this time from DoCoMo: Like the other services introduced to date, this one has its limitations. Users will be able to make voice over Wi-Fi calls but only in their offices and only if their office has a special server from NEC. Voice over Wi-Fi won't be available outside of the office, even on DoCoMo hotspots. It sounds like even data over Wi-Fi will only be available on hotspots built specially for the device. It's a combination of technical shortcomings and uncertainty about how to make the best of Wi-Fi that is preventing cellular operators from offering seamless combined services. Wi-Fi Networking News --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BDhY0Al

 

******** 6. News ******** Tool Aids High Frequency and Low Power Designs

Nassda Corporation recently announced that mixed-signal semiconductor foundry austriamicrosystems AG has adopted Nassda's full-chip circuit simulation and analysis tool, HSIM, for the verification of its high-performance designs for austriamicrosystems' communication, automotive, industry & medical and foundry service customers. HSIM has verified over 10 designs in CMOS, BiCMOS and silicon germanium (SiGe) process technologies for the Full Service Foundry group of austriamicrosystems. "It is austriamicrosystems' policy to focus very much on the accuracy of analog models in order to enable our customers' first-time-right designs. To effectively simulate and analyze GHz high-speed and low-power designs in our latest high-performance processes, we need a high capacity and accuracy circuit simulator,"stated Thomas Moerth, Design Support Manager at austriamicrosystems. Nassda --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BEdj0Az

 

***************** 7. International News ***************** RF Company Arrives in China

RF Micro Devices, Inc., a provider of RFICs for wireless communications applications, just announced the opening of a new sales and customer support office in Shenzhen, China. The office is located in the TianAn Cyber Times Building A in the Fu Tian District. The sales and customer support office will focus on local Chinese manufacturers, original design manufacturers (ODMs) and international OEMs with operations in China. In addition to the Shenzhen sales and customer support office, RFMD's investment in the Asia-Pacific region includes sales and customer support offices in Beijing, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, as well as a test and tape and reel facility and assembly operations in Beijing. RF Micro Devices --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BB760AL

 

***************** 8. International News ***************** Finnish Company Goes with US IT Firm

Fortum - a Finnish energy company - and HP have signed a five-year agreement on outsourcing Fortum's IT infrastructure to HP. The agreement provides management and support of the company's data centre and workstation services in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Both companies plan to extend the agreement and transfer Fortum's IT infrastructure services in other countries globally to HP at a later stage. The outsourcing will affect a maximum of 68 employees in Finland and 20 in Sweden. Employees will move to HP under current terms of employment. Under the terms of the agreement, HP will provide Fortum solutions and services based on the HP Adaptive Enterprise strategy for synchronizing business and IT. Fortum --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoZ0A1 HP --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0Gwa0A6

 

************** 9. New Books ************** GPRS in Practice: A Companion to the Specifications By Peter McGuiggan Publisher: Wiley ISBN: 0-470-09507-5

Keeping in mind that specifications are not explanations, "GPRS in Practice" is written in a simple manner using simple language allowing the reader to fully understand the complex GPRS concepts and how the GPRS interface works. Wiley --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoa0A8

 

Black Hat: Misfits, Criminals, and Scammers in the Internet Age By John Biggs Publisher: Apress ISBN: 1590593790

Homes are becoming increasingly wired and, thanks to Wi-Fi, unwired. Hackers can strike quickly and create disastrous results! These stories and follow-ups are a fascinating insight into the modern threats we all face in the techno jungle. Apress --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKob0AA

 

**************************** 10. In-Depth Coverage Links **************************** Merely Increasing A Cabinet's Fan Speed Won't Always Cool Today's High-Density, Wireless-Equipment Enclosures. To learn more, read: Are Wireless Devices Too Hot To Handle? --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKoc0AB

Using Fully Differential Audio Amplifiers, It Is Possible To Cut Down The Noise That Is Commonly Associated With Cellular Devices. To learn more, read: Reduce The "Buzz" In Cellular Phones. --> http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKod0AC

 

***************************** 10. Happenings - Conferences ***************************** Intel Developer Forum Systems Conference September 7-9 Moscone Center South, San Francisco, CA http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BJuG0Am

Embedded Systems Conference September 13-16, 2004 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BJSB0A8

PCIA Wireless Infrastructure Conference October 5-7, 2004 Gaylord Texan Convention Center, Dallas, TX http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BJSC0AA

Design of High-Speed PCB October 18-19, 2004 Embassy Suites, Marlborough, MA http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BDDV0A7

 

************************** 11. Happenings - Webinars ************************** Developing Secure Wireless Applications Developing security features for wireless applications is challenging, often delaying projects and affecting application performance. Learn how to avoid pitfalls and develop security features for your mobile applications. http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BKKt0Aq

Agilent Advanced Network Analyzer Measurements eSeminar http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BJRq0At

Read past issues of Wireless Systems Design UPDATE e-Newsletter: http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ehEh0CWyaL0Emn0BBfz0AG

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