Intel Announces New Ultra-Wideband Silicon, Host Reference Designs

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Sept. 28, 2006 – Intel Corporation today announced the availability of the Intel® Wireless UWB Link 1480 MAC (media access controller) silicon and reference designs for ultra-wideband host solutions. These solutions, based on the Certified Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification from the USB Implementers Forum and the WiMedia Network specification from the WiMedia* Alliance, will allow independent hardware vendors, PC manufacturers and device OEMs to deliver high-bandwidth, low-power wireless solutions that provide personal area network connectivity in the digital home and office.

“UWB will allow end-users faster wireless access than ever before to their digital content – photos, music, videos,” said Rich Wykoff, general manager of Intel’s New Business Initiatives Group. “We look forward to exploring a new world of unwired possibilities uncovered by UWB.”

Intel’s UWB host MAC silicon has been integrated with multiple third-party UWB physical layers, offering customers a choice of radio solutions in its host reference designs. The Intel host solution enables concurrent operation of Certified Wireless USB and WiNet and has been demonstrated to interoperate with multiple device peripherals such as cameras and printers.

“Our customers are demanding hassle-free, high-bandwidth wireless solutions for their PCs,” said P.G. Madhavan, wireless architect in the Microsoft™ Windows™ Networking division and a member of the WiMedia board of directors. “UWB enables such scenarios and we are delighted to be working with Intel to test our beta wireless USB drivers on the Intel Host Wire Adapter. We plan to support the concurrent functionality of WiNet and Certified Wireless USB enabled in Intel’s host solution with Microsoft drivers.”

Intel UWB host solutions enable PCs, printers and digital TVs with existing hi-speed USB ports to be upgraded to support wireless personal connectivity through USB dongles and ExpressCards.

“Intel’s products offer compelling value to our customers who want to migrate from wired USB connectivity to seamless ad-hoc wireless connectivity between PCs as well as between PCs and their peripherals,” said Mark Reynoso, senior vice president of Marketing at Belkin. “We are happy to work with Intel to bring this new technology to the marketplace.”

“Intel’s UWB solution has enabled HP to make significant progress in achieving UWB-based wireless connectivity between HP notebook PCs and our all-in-one printers each running different operating systems,” said Mark Fidler, senior engineer scientist of HP’s Printer and Imaging group and member of the WiMedia board of directors. “The commitment by Intel and other component providers is a critical step in the development and production of solutions that are being demonstrated by HP as well as others at IDF.”

Certified Wireless USB technology enables wireless access up to 480 megabits-per-second within 9.9 feet (3 meters) or 110 megabits-per-second within 33 feet (10 meters). Using Certified Wireless USB technology, PCs, portable CE and mobile devices can download or transfer huge files quickly with high energy efficiency and without the hindrance of cables.