Ohlamon’s Technology News Blog

How many wires do we still have around system block? A little bit less then couple years ago. Wireless network, wireless mouse and keyboard, Bluetooth headset for Skype and Counterstrike, and Bluetooth PDA synchronization. That’s a lot of wireless connections, but still not enough. Modern science is still not allow us to transfer power without wires, but where is the solution for all this USB wires? Bluetooth was the first one who tried to get into this field, but it seems not everybody like Bluetooth. I don’t know why, but so far I did not see any Bluetooth powered printers or digital cameras. Another solution was based on current USB architecture. Same connectors, nothing to change inside our current devises, just eliminate wires. It is called UWB-USB (Ultra Wideband USB). We heard several announces of such devices about a year ago, but first real ones will be available just within next couple moths. So far there are two of them.

1. Belkin CableFree USB Hub and Dongle (set) (F5U301) – $129.99 ESP (estimated availability mid-December 2006)

Belkin will offer a four-port hub that will enable immediate high-speed wireless connectivity for any USB device without requiring software. The CableFree USB Hub gives desktop computer users the freedom to place their USB devices anywhere in the room without running long cables. Laptop users gain the freedom to roam wirelessly with their laptop around the room while still maintaining access to their stationary USB devices.

Freescale’s UWB solutions enable high rate transfer of video, audio, and data streams wirelessly. At rates 100 times faster than Bluetooth™ technology and with wire-like quality, UWB brings a new wireless option to auto, consumer electronics, and PC/peripheral manufacturers. Using UWB, for example, an MPEG2 movie or HDTV stream can be broadcast in real time wirelessly. This allows consumers new freedom in the use of multimedia-centric products, as they no longer need to be connected with wires.

2.Y-E Data Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Wireless Hub, YD-300 based on the Wisair Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless hub

The Wisair Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless hub brings wireless connectivity to existing wired USB devices. USB devices can be placed anywhere in the room and can be accessed from any PC or laptop—while eliminating the familiar tangle of wires around the desk area.

The reference design consists of two components: the wireless hub and the host PC dongle. Both include Wisair’s UWB chipset, based on the WiMedia radio platform. The wireless hub provides outstanding performance and link robustness, which is enabled by features such as dual UWB antennas, automatic rate adaptation, and automatic radio channel selection. The host dongle combines the Wisair chipset on a small foot print PCB, together with an on-board antenna.

Key Features:
• Up to 480 Mbps air data rates
• Up to 30 feet operating distance
• Four to seven external USB 2.0/1.1 ports (available simultaneously)
• Dual UWB antennas for enhanced coverage and range
• Automatic rate adaptation for superior link robustness and coverage
• Automatic radio channel selection
• Co-existence with 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth devices
• FCC regulation compliant
• Compatible with Windows® 2000/XP
• Host-side software driver
• Intuitive GUI application for quick setup and connection management
• LED indicators for power, association and activity