In response to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group's (SIG's) selection of WiMedia UWB as its future radio platform, the WiMedia Alliance today shared its positive outlook regarding the joint effort to develop high-rate Bluetooth wireless technology. The two groups bring together critical technology skill sets necessary for developing a next-generation low-power, low-cost ad hoc networking solution that will expand Bluetooth technology's current success.

"Consumers are demanding higher bandwidth for their mobile, consumer electronics and communications devices," said Stephen R. Wood, president of the WiMedia Alliance and UWB technology strategist at Intel. "The WiMedia Alliance combining forces with the Bluetooth SIG is an exciting development that will help define Bluetooth technology as a key personal area network technology for today and the future."

The success of mobile multimedia advancement depends on the industry's ability to deliver high-quality user experiences during the wireless transfer of data. Through the partnership between the Bluetooth SIG and the WiMedia Alliance, the Bluetooth SIG's manufacturing community will now have access to a high-data rate solution backed by a comprehensive support network comprised of leading companies who represent every step of product development -- from specification and testing development to productization.

"By working together with the WiMedia Alliance, we give our members the opportunity to leverage investments in both UWB and Bluetooth technology, and bring a high-speed Bluetooth technology option to consumers -- it's a win-win for everyone," stated Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG.

As the industry's first UWB standard, the WiMedia radio specifications have all the characteristics of a technology platform that can propel an already widely popular technology like Bluetooth wireless to the next level such as:

• Single Radio/Multiple Protocols: The WiMedia Alliance common radio platform is designed to support a variety of applications using different wireless protocols including Certified Wireless USB, Bluetooth technology, the 1394 Trade Group's "Wireless FireWire" Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL), and Wireless IP. Different wireless protocols can operate within the same wireless personal area network without interference.
• Flexibility to Handle Multiple Regulatory Environments: Leveraging multiband OFDM (MB-OFDM) technology, WiMedia UWB features the ability to control frequency band usage without requiring additional, costly software implementations. The WiMedia UWB Common Radio Platform is moving toward International Organization for Standardization (ISO) acceptance through Ecma International's ECMA-368 and ECMA-369 standards.
• Broad Industry Support: WiMedia Alliance's membership is comprised of brand leaders in all UWB-related industries such as consumer electronics, mobile, personal computer, semiconductor and software. From testing to productization, the Alliance's ecosystem is fully equipped to commercialize UWB.