Certified Wireless USB to Support Frequencies Above 6 GHz

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The USB Implementers Forum, a support organization for the advancement and adoption of USB technology, has announced its intention to add support for ultra-wideband frequencies above 6 GHz to the Wireless USB specification by the middle of 2007. This will be an addition to its existing support for frequencies below 5 GHz.

The forum plans to have the specification extensions completed before radios requiring the frequencies are ready. This will enable new products to reach the market as quickly as possible.

The Wireless USB Promoter Group developed the Wireless USB 1.0 specification to provide the speed and ease-of-use of Hi-Speed USB without the need for wires. The USB Implementers Forum has developed a compliance and logo program for Wireless USB products to help ensure that products are interoperable. The first Wireless USB products are scheduled for distribution by the end of 2006.

Certified Wireless USB is the first high-speed wireless personal interconnect technology to combine the speed and security of wired Hi-Speed USB with the ease-of-use-of wireless technology. It is compatible with wired USB and allows users to connect up to 127 devices. It delivers a bandwidth of up to 480Mb/s at 3 meters and 110Mb/s at 10 meters. Certified Wireless USB is based on the WiMedia Alliance Ultra-wideband Common Radio Platform.

The Wireless USB Promoter Group consists of seven companies — Agere Systems, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, NXP Semiconductors and Samsung. If a company plans to develop and market a product based on the Certified Wireless USB specification and wishes to obtain a license, it should become an adopter member of the organization and license the logo.