Today's Table of Contents: 

1. Viewpoint - Has 802.11 Burst the 3G Bubble? 

2. 3G and Wi-Fi Converge In Teams 

3. Wireless Hackers Drawn To HoneyNet 

4. WISMO Succeeds in 3G Arena 

5. In-Depth Coverage Links Embedded Memory Reaches New Low System-Level Design Continues To Evolve 

6. Happenings IMAPS 2002 - 35th International Symposium on Microelectronics ION GPS 2002 Conference IEEE Emerging Telecommunication Technologies Conference (ETTC) Military Electronics Conference and Show (MES) Communication Design Conference Mobile & Wireless Enterprise Summit International Wireless Symposium 2002

************* 

1. Viewpoint 

************* 

Has 802.11 Burst the 3G Bubble? - Portions of an interview with David Chen, venture partner with OVP

As the most touted technology advancement in recent times, the third generation wireless network or simply 3G, appear to be loosing its luster. Even the big telecom companies, who have pushed 3G as their salvation, are scaling back their plans. Consider the recent announcement that wireless telecom giants including Verizon, AT&T and Cingular may soon rollout a nationwide 802.11b network in the US. ( http://radio.weblogs.com/0001195/ )

Promised as nothing short of a telecom revolution, 3G was to bring to mobile uses the same rich, dynamic and expedient Internet experience that they enjoy on their desktop computers. The promise may never be realized, at least not in the way it is currently promoted. What has caused the 3G wonder-technology to dim? The same carefully planned technology that shot all the hype out of Bluetooth. I'm sure you've guessed the answer: Wi-Fi, or the IEEE 802.11b standard wireless protocol.

Is Wi-Fi a better technology? Not necessarily. Admittedly, Wi-Fi and 3G represent an apples-to-oranges comparison. But Wi-Fi is much cheaper than 3G and available today. In this way, it is the classic tale of a current technology beating out the "cool" but over-the-horizon next generation technology. David Chen, a general partner with OVP Venture Partners ( http://www.ovp.com/chen.html ) - with over $500 million in 6 funds - made this comparison: Recall the battle between frame relay and ATM in the late 80's and early 90's. ATM was supposedly a far superior protocol to frame relay. But a great deal of R&D was placed on frame relay and, while it wasn't the ultimate winner, it had enough support to stop ATM from taking off."

David notes that two of the biggest challenges to 3G are usage scenarios of mobility and the amount of R&D being spent on the 802.11 standard. One of the main usage scenarios for 3G is to provide a huge - at least to the phone industry - increase in bandwidth (up to 384 kbs) to the business customer. But is bandwidth really that much of a driver? David explains that, "one of the highest usage and most popular scenarios today is RIM [maker of the Blackberry wireless devices]. But that's running on a very low bandwidth; generation 0.5 network using CDPD. I think this whole issue of always-on is actually more important in the near term than huge amounts of bandwidth, since we haven't found the business application OR even the kids application for broadband."

Sprint has recently completed its nationwide network upgrade to 3G PCS Vision CDMA 1X ( http://www.sprint.com ). This will provide improved speeds, peaking at 144 kbps, with average user speed of 50 to 70 kbps. Some have noted that this is really 2.75 G technology, since it is far slower than the 2 Mbps speeds that the industry promised for 3G in the early 90's. In fact, 50 kbs is the higher-end dial-up speed for most home use Internet connection. Further, Sprints 3G network is for mobile users. Again, David Chen, of OVP, wonders under what usage scenario would the typical user need 50kbs while in motion? David believes that many users confuse the word mobility with mobile. "The word mobility, to me, means anytime, anywhere access to the stuff I want. Mobile means that I'm moving." He notes that mobility data needs are now being met by 802.11b hot spot technology. So, in the near term, truly mobile applications can be met by 2.5 technology.

Aside from a compelling usage scenario, the other challenge to 3G comes from the enormous amount of R&D support being spent on 802.11 technology. Explains David Chen: "When you have several hundred companies jumping on the 802.11 bandwagon, at some point you have a lot of R&D going into innovation. Equally important is the amount of semiconductor technology going into cost reduction of an existing standard. So, you have a huge momentum." As players realize the potential for a quick return on investment with existing 802.11b technology, more effort will be expended to extent the technology to do things for which it was not intended.

The growing number of vendors supporting 802.11 technology is impressive, from manufactures of access points to wireless network cards. This has driven the prices of 802.11 products down to commodity levels, making them even more attractive to manufactures and consumers alike. "Cheap counts for a lot," notes David Chen. He is quick to add that there are still challenges of interoperability, of interplay between 802.11 providers, WISPS, and the like. But, the general tide of dollars and people favors 802.11, instead of 3G.

Will this tide of 802.11 development and products be enough to change the shape of 3G? Please share your thoughts with our readers by emailing me at: jblyler@penton.com

******* 

2. News 

******* 

3G and Wi-Fi Converge In Teams Seems like lots of folks want to play in both telecom and datacom arenas. Lucent Technologies, for example, recently announced a strategic initiative with several other companies to deliver solutions for mobile operators to provide enterprise customers with secure and easy-to-use high-speed wireless data access from any location. Lucent is working with Agere Systems (ORiNOCO Wireless Networks), HP, iPass, ipUnplugged and Sierra Wireless to jointly develop, market and sell Lucent's Secure Mobile Data Solutions for Enterprises. This integrated portfolio of solutions will allow business customers to access critical applications behind corporate firewalls such as e-mail, corporate databases and internal Web applications via third-generation (3G) CDMA2000 and UMTS wireless networks, as well as wireless local area networks (LANs) in their enterprise locations and public "hot spots." http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B04Gc0AI

******* 

3. News 

******* 

Wireless Hackers Drawn To Honeynet What's the best way to catch a hacker? Think like a hacker! One way to get into the right mindset is to watch real hackers at work. This is the goal of SAIC's Wireless Information Security Experiment (WISE), part of the Honeynet project ( http://www.honeynet.com ). The WISE network is a wireless honey net design to observe Wi-Fi hackers in the D.C. area in an effort to learn their motus operandi. All inbound and outbound data is unobtrusively controlled and captured, then analyzed to learn the specific tools, tactics, and motives of wireless network hackers. It is hoped that this understanding will led to the development of effect information security tools and defenses. http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B04Ge0AK

******* 

4. News 

******* 

WISMO Succeeds in 3G Arena Wavecom SA, a major provider of integrated wireless modules, recently announced the delivery of its 10 millionth WISMO module in late July 2002, since production of WISMOs began. The WISMO module - a compact device that includes all of the hardware, software and other technology needed to enable wireless communications over the GSM/GPRS, CDMA and future 3G networks - was launched in 1997. WISMO applications include mobile telephones, automotive navigation and information systems, personal digital assistants with wireless communications functions, and machine-to-machine communications solutions. The majority of WISMOs already in use power Personal Communications Devices such as mobile telephones and PDAs, although machine-to-machine and automotive markets should see high product demand in the future. http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B04Gf0AL

*************************** 

5. In-Depth Coverage Links 

*************************** 

This Ultra-Low-Power Family Of Memories Claims 10 To 20 Times Less Power Than Its Likely Competitors. To learn more, read; "Embedded Memory Reaches New Low" http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B04Gg0AM

The Design Of Complex, Hardware-Software Systems-On-A-Chip Keeps Improving With New Platform-Based Design Approaches. To learn more, read; "System-Level Design Continues To Evolve" http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B035m0A8

************** 

6. Happenings 

************** 

IMAPS 2002 - 35th International Symposium on Microelectronics Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO September 3-6, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B03y10AH IMAPS is the largest symposium related to the microelectronics industry and the electronic packaging industry in the world. Held in conjunction with IMAPS is the 4th Advanced Technology Workshop (ATW) on Packaging of MEMS and Related Micro Integrated Nano Systems.

ION GPS 2002 Conference Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR September 23 -27, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B03y20AI The Institute of Navigation (ION) is a non-profit professional society dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of navigation. The ION's Satellite Division sponsors this conference, which contains technical meetings on navigation and positioning systems, numerous vendor exhibits and Navtech seminars on GPS, DGPS and related topics.

IEEE Emerging Telecommunication Technologies Conference (ETTC) Radisson Hotel, Richardson, TX September 23-24, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B03RP0A8 This conference is sponsored by the Dallas Section IEEE and brings together international experts, educators and colleagues in a two-day conference of workshops and technical sessions to address emerging telecommunication technologies.

Military Electronics Conference and Show (MES) 2002 Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD September 24-25, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B02f10Av MES is the venue for designers of military systems. It is the one place where design engineers can learn more about the technologies and products that impact their designs. MES will present technical sessions on all levels of military component and system design, including software simulation and test techniques, and will offer an exhibition area for manufacturers to showcase their latest hardware, software, and test equipment for government and military applications.

Communication Design Conference San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA September 23-26, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B03RQ0AA The Communications Design Conference is a leading forum where design engineers and technical managers can learn practical skills, meet colleagues and strategic suppliers and discover new ideas for designing OEM communications systems that apply wired, optical and wireless communications technologies for personal, home/soho, enterprise and infrastructure applications.

Mobile & Wireless Enterprise Summit Century Plaza and Spa, Los Angeles, California October 1-2, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B04Gh0AN Join your peers who are tasked with building a successful mobile strategy along with Giga Information Group's team of expert analysts and a panel of experienced end-users. Hundreds of business executives and IT decision makers with purchasing power and/or influence from Fortune 2000 companies are anticipated at the Mobile & Wireless Enterprise Summit.

International Wireless Symposium 2002 Paradise Point Resort, San Diego, California October 2-4, 2002 http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B04Gi0AO The symposium is designed to help attendees understand the state of the wireless industry and eecide how to best implement Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular technologies in their personal, small business, and enterprise environments.

WIRELESS NETWORK e-NEWSLETTER CONTACTS 

=========================================

 Executive Editor, PlanetEE e-Newsletters: John Blyler mailto:jblyler@penton.com Editor-in-Chief, WSD magazine: Cheryl Ajluni mailto:cajluni@penton.com

Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities: Craig Roth croth@penton.com

=================================== 

To subscribe send a blank email to mailto:Wireless_Networks_Sub@lists.planetee.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:Wireless_Networks_Unsub@lists.planetee.com Penton's e-Newsletter homepage: http://lists.planetee.com/cgi-bin3/flo?y=eNDF0CWyaL0C4B01Zp0Al 

==================================== 

Copyright 2002 Penton Media Inc.