The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF; www.usb.org) has announced the first six consumer products to pass compliance and certification testing for Certified Wireless USB technology. Notebook PCs and wireless USB host adapters and hubs from Dell, D-Link, IOGear and Lenovo will introduce the high data rate wireless connectivity technology to consumers.
Certified Wireless USB technology is based on the WiMedia Alliance Ultra- wideband Common Radio Platform. USB-IF says it 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. Certified Wireless USB is backward-compatible with wired USB, allows users to connect up to 127 devices, and provides bandwidth up to 480 Mbit/sec at 3 meters and 110 Mbit/sec at 10 meters.
The Wireless USB Promoter Group (Agere Systems, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, Philips Semiconductors and Samsung) defined the core Certified Wireless USB specification with the support of more than 100 contributor members. The group has now transitioned the specification’s management to the USB-IF, the supporting governing body of USB specifications.
“It is a great endorsement to have consumer-recognized PC and CE companies be the first to incorporate Certified Wireless USB into new products,” comments Jeff Ravencraft, president of USB-IF. “This makes a huge statement that Certified Wireless USB is here. With a variety of Certified Wireless USB silicon and end-user products available, we expect to see other OEMs and ODMs follow suit in the coming months as Wireless USB continues its march to broad adoption.”
Specifically, the following consumer products have achieved compliance and certification for Certified Wireless USB: Dell’s Inspiron 1720 notebook; D-Link’s Wireless USB Adapter (DUB-1210) and 4-Port Wireless USB Hub (DUB-2240); IOGear’s Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit; and Lenovo’s ThinkPad T61/T61p 15.4-inch widescreen notebook. The products, which were expected to arrive in stores for the back-to-school and holiday gift seasons, include certified silicon from Alereon, Intel, NEC Electronics, Realtek Semiconductor, and WiQuest.
According to USB-IF, consumers can now look for the Certified Wireless USB logo on product packaging or hardware for all products that have passed certification. The logo is a sign to consumers that these products have been tested for interoperability and will work with other Certified Wireless USB devices.
USB-IF notes that if a company intends to build and ship a product based on the Certified Wireless USB specification and wants to obtain a license, it should become an adopter member of the organization and license the logo. The adopter agreement and license agreement are available for downloading at: www.usb.org/wusb
