X-bit labs

Intel to Demo Wireless USB 2.0 at IDF.

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 02/11/2004 | 10:15 AM ]

Intel is set to demonstrate its Wireless USB 2.0 technology at the upcoming Intel Develop Forum later this month. The wireless technology with high-speed data transfer may be a serious rival for Bluetooth that is widely used in mobile applications as well as in other accessories.

According to the information published by different media, Wireless USB will support up to 480Mb/s transfer speed over 4 meters and up to 110Mb/s over 10 meters.

Wireless USB will be based on the multi-band OFDM technology backed by an industry alliance that includes Intel. It also blends in the common UWB radio platform defined by the WiMedia alliance. The UWB and wireless USB specifications are in the early stages of definition. Systems using wireless USB are not expected to ship until sometime in 2005, CommsDesign web-site notes.

The interconnect will include new streaming media enhancements to the existing wired USB spec. Proponents see the new specification as the first multimedia interconnect that could be broadly embraced by consumer and computer systems including PCs, digital cameras and camcorders and MP3 players.

Nowadays a lot of devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, PCs, printers, cameras and even keyboards and mice utilize Bluetooth wireless connectivity for data transfer. A number of devices use some other wireless technologies for the same purposes. Some appliances require faster transfer speed than Bluetooth or other technologies are capable to provide and that is the marketplace for Wireless USB from Intel. With high-speed and flexibility Intel’s technology may be adopted all around the industry and become a tough rival for Bluetooth eventually.