The WAVE Report
Issue #0128------------------6/8/01

The WAVE Report archive is available on http://www.wave-report.com

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0128.1 Hot Topics

    Palm Brings Bluetooth Wireless Communications to

      Handhelds

    Hitachi Introduces New PDA Concept

    Hyper Corp Releases Measurement Solution for BLUETOOTH

      RF Layer Qualification

0128.2 Story of the Issue

    Bluetooth Emerges

0128.3 Wireless and Bluetooth

    Socket Bluetooth Card Wirelessly Connects Pocket PC to

      HP Deskjet Printer

    Yamaha Licenses Bluetooth IP from NewLogic

    RTX Telecom Bluetooth Baseband Core Approved

    Zeevo Demonstrates Arm Powered TC2000 Single-Chip

      Bluetooth Solution

    SPANworks Announces Wireless SDK for Ad-Hoc Networking

    Brightcom BIC2101 Bluetooth Application Processor

      Demonstrated

0128.4 Other Wireless

    IEEE 802.17 Resilient Packet Ring Working Group Interim

      Meeting

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0128.1 Hot Topics

***Palm Brings Bluetooth Wireless Communications to Handhelds

(June 8)

According to M2 Communications, Palm has announced the Palm Bluetooth Card. The card, somewhat larger than a postage stamp, will enable secure local communication (within 10 meters, or 30 feet) between Palm handhelds and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, printers, network hubs and other handhelds.

Designed using the open industry-standard Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) specification, the Palm Bluetooth Card can be slipped into Palm products that have the SD/MultiMediaCard expansion slot, currently the Palm m500 and m505 handhelds. The card, jointly developed between Palm and Toshiba, is expected to be available before the end of the year for $150 or less.

One of the initial uses of the Palm Bluetooth Card will be to wirelessly connect handhelds with mobile phones. For example, a user who wants to dial up the Internet or their corporate network might have a Palm handheld as well as a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. Using Bluetooth communications to connect to the phone, within seconds they could send and receive email, use web clipping applications, browse the web for information, or send instant messages

Palm is working with Bluetooth developers to create a variety of solutions for Bluetooth users that will be available when the Palm Bluetooth Card hits store shelves by the end of the year. Developers can get a developer tool kit and links to technical APIs to make current Palm OS solutions Bluetooth compatible at the Palm Web site.

http://www.palmos.com/dev/tech/bluetooth/

http://www.bluetooth.com

***Hitachi Introduces New PDA Concept

(June 8)

According to the Nikkei English News, Hitachi has developed a type of PDA that is operated not with buttons or a stylus, but by simple shaking and tilting. The company intends to release commercial products within two to three years.

Hitachi's PDA is a round, palm-sized device with a circular screen. Its interface looks like a view of water through a porthole. Tilting the unit sends bubbles floating by, each with a different menu name. When the desired menu floats into view, returning the device to the horizontal position brings that bubble to the center of the screen, where it bursts to activate the selected menu.

The user can also scroll through pages by tilting the PDA. Shaking it a few times returns to the main screen of floating menu bubbles.

An auxiliary unit enables text to be uploaded to the device from a personal computer, while connecting the PDA to a cellular phone enables e-mail to be sent and received.

Hitachi is also considering a version with a built-in hard drive with a storage capacity of several gigabytes so that the PDA can be used for video and music.

***Hyper Corp Releases Measurement Solution for BLUETOOTH RF Layer Qualification

(June 8)

Hyper Corp has announced the release of the BlueVision RF Development and Conformance Test System Model RDC2401A for BLUETOOTH Wireless Technology Qualification to the BLUETOOTH System Specification v1.1 and the RF Test Specification document 20.B.153 - the RF "Final" Conformance Test Specification.

BlueVision RF provides manufacturers with a tool to perform certification testing of the BLUETOOTH RF layer. The Hyper Corp BlueVision RDC2401A is designed with a Golden transmitter and receiver, so that manufacturers are ensured that when they qualify their RF chip sets and radio modules that they will be meeting or exceeding the specified Bluetooth requirements.

BlueVision RF is a combination of technologies provided by Hyper Corp and Agilent Technologies and consists of the following primary subsystems:

Hyper Corp RDC2401A Test Control Software with Computer Controller

- Agilent Vector Signal Analyzer Model 89640A

- Agilent Performance Spectrum Analyzer Model E4440A

- Agilent Bluetooth Test Set Model E1852A

- Agilent Signal Generator Model 83732B

- Agilent ESG-DP Signal Generator Model E4437B

Optional features include:

- Agilent 66321B Mobile Communications DC Source

- RF Switch Matrix

- Environmental Chamber

BlueVision RF is available for demonstration and RF conformance testing at Hyper Corporation and in the near future at Hyper-Paltek in Yokohama, Japan and at Hyper Taiwan Technology in Taipei, Taiwan.

0128.2 Story of the Issue

***Bluetooth Emerges

By John Latta

Many of the stories in this issue originate from a Bluetooth conference being held in Monaco. Bluetooth is at a turning point. The approval of the specification 1.1 and many profiles in the last 4 months have provided the foundation to launch the technology into the market. Yet here in the US there is just not the excitement that is present in Europe. One reason is the phone-centered culture in Europe. Bluetooth’s initial value will come from its placement on cellular phones, of which we saw early models at CeBIT this spring. These phones offered a hands free headset, a solution which will act as a driver for Bluetooth early usage. Given the potential for the restrictions on the use of cell phones in the US while driving, such technology will increasingly find adoption. However, Bluetooth goes well beyond such a niche application.

A major market enabler will be the creation of PANs (Personal Area Networks) – a wireless sphere around the individual which allows for connectivity to networks. When tied to the phone WAN (Wide Area Networks) the Bluetooth PAN becomes an enabler for many creative applications. One of the interesting applications is a causal connection. This is where the PAN is enabled and connections are accomplished with other individuals, organizations or businesses based on proximity. The obvious example of a shopping mall has been extensively used – walk by a merchant who checks the product preferences you have expressed and immediately downloads discount pricing. We expect that there will be many other ways in which Bluetooth will be used and it is only now that these can evolve from a solid technology foundation.

One of the strengths of Bluetooth comes from a hard lesson learned during other standards efforts. The value of Bluetooth is enhanced significantly by the definition of profiles. These are application scenarios that defined how the technology will work in a given environment. A profile helps assure interoperability in given usage conditions. This goes a long way in making sure that a wide range of products will all result in the same usage model. Increasingly it will be important to ask of a Bluetooth implementation – what profiles do you support? We believe that the structure and operations of the Bluetooth SIG will serve as a model for many future standards efforts, especially because of the usage of these profiles.

There will be initial applications for Bluetooth in 2001 but 2002 will be the year to watch. Achieving wide deployment of the technology, i.e., the creation of the infrastructure is the foundation for new services that are Bluetooth enabled. This is just beginning and represent a new world of connectivity without wires - and much more.

0128.3 Wireless and Bluetooth

***Socket Bluetooth Card Wirelessly Connects Pocket PC to HP Deskjet Printer

(June 5)

Socket Communications has demonstrated wireless printing using the Socket Bluetooth Card to enable a Windows-powered Pocket PC to connect and print wirelessly to an HP Deskjet 995c inkjet printer, Hewlett-Packard Company's integrated Bluetooth printer. By showing cable-free printing from a Pocket PC to an HP printer, Socket highlighted the expanding interoperability of Bluetooth wireless technology.

To underscore the interoperability theme, Socket also demonstrated Bluetooth connections between a Pocket PC and a LAN Access Point via the AXIS 9010 Access Point. The technology allows Pocket PC owners to utilize a campus network within 10 to 100 meters of a 9010 Access Point.

The Socket Bluetooth Card is a plug-in card that fits in a CompactFlash slot or, via an adapter, the PC Card slot of a mobile computer, offering a way to add wireless connectivity to other Bluetooth-enabled devices within a range of 10 meters (30 feet). The Socket Bluetooth Card has been selected for inclusion in the "Ultimate Wireless Kit," a collection of mobile connectivity products offered by Microsoft. Socket's card is currently also available to application developers as part of Socket's Bluetooth Card Evaluation Kit.

The AXIS 9010 Bluetooth Access Point is a freestanding or wall-mountable device that connects to a campus network via a standard Ethernet cable and features a built-in Web server. Both products are now available to qualified Windows CE application developers.

Socket Communications develops and sells connection products for handheld computers and other devices. Socket's products include the Battery Friendly family of plug-in cards for enhancing mobile computers by adding wireless Internet connectivity, local area networking, bar code scanning, and data communication.

http://www.socketcom.com

http://www.socketcom.com/product/bluetooth_eval.htm

***Yamaha Licenses Bluetooth IP from NewLogic

(June 5)

Yamaha Corporation and NewLogic, a supplier of Bluetooth intellectual property cores, have announced a licensing deal encompassing NewLogic's BOOST Core and BOOST Software IP products. The deal, the terms of which were not disclosed, allows Yamaha to add Bluetooth functionality to its IC products, and to manufacture Bluetooth chips and chipsets.

NewLogic's BOOST IP family includes a Bluetooth baseband processor, a full Bluetooth software protocol stack and a Bluetooth CMOS radio. These IP elements, when combined with a suitable microcontroller core, permit the implementation of a single chip Bluetooth solution using industry standard CMOS process technologies.

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english

***RTX Telecom Bluetooth Baseband Core Approved

(June 5)

RTX Telecom has announced that the RTX Telecom Bluetooth Baseband Core has been approved in accordance with the Bluetooth version 1.1 specifications. The RTX Telecom Bluetooth design splits the function of the Link Controller into a Lower Link Controller, an Upper Link Controller and the Bluetooth Baseband Core. The Baseband Core implements the functions of the Lower Link Controller. The Upper Link Controller functionality is implemented in the software running on any standard CPU.

The RTX Core performs the most time-critical parts of the Bluetooth protocol, thereby minimizing the performance requirements of the CPU.

The RTX Telecom Baseband Core supports all mandatory and optional requirements. Other Bluetooth features supported by the Baseband Core include all packet types, piconet and scatternet functionality.

The modular design of both functionality and VHDL code makes it possible to add optional interfaces or to customize the implementation. As a result, the design provides a secure way of integrating Bluetooth technology into standard ICs, ASICs, and FPGAs. To date, the Bluetooth Baseband Core has been proven on the CR16B RISC from National Semiconductor and on the ARM 7, while others are currently being added.

In addition, the RTX Telecom Baseband Core has a flexible RF interface to both 0 dBm and 20 dBm RF circuitries. It can be used with RF modules from National Semiconductor, Silicon Wave, and Conexant, as well as RF Micro Devices.

http://www.rtx.dk

***Zeevo Demonstrates Arm Powered TC2000 Single-Chip Bluetooth Solution

(June 6)

Zeevo has announced the demonstration of the Bluetooth system-on-a-chip TC2000 solution powered with an ARM7 family microprocessor. The ARM7TDMI core is a member of the ARM7 Thumb family, which is a range of low-power 32-bit RISC microprocessor cores optimized for cost and power-sensitive consumer applications. Offering up to 100 MIPS, the ARM7 Thumb family incorporates the Thumb 16-bit instruction set – enabling 32-bit performance at 8/16-bit system cost.

Zeevo is a fables semiconductor provider of system-on-a-chip solutions for the communications industry.

http://www.zeevo.com

***SPANworks Announces Wireless SDK for Ad-Hoc Networking

(June 6)

SPANworks, a software joint venture company with Toshiba, announced an Early-Access Program for its SPANworks II Wireless SDK. The SDK is an object-oriented software development kit (SDK) that enables instant ad-hoc networking for both Windows and Windows CE. The software toolkit, developed in partnership with Socket Communications, is a software development platform enabling developers to write interactive applications that work with both Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless adapters, as well as with traditional Ethernet adapters. 

SPANworks' MultiPeer technology provides an environment in which any number of users may interact simultaneously for productivity or entertainment. SPANworks' software engine connects multiple wireless-equipped devices in an ad-hoc peer network with no server or infrastructure. MultiPeer technology establishes and maintains a dynamic wireless environment, freeing the software developer and end-user from knowing anything about networking. SPANworks' object-oriented API, compliant with Microsoft's component object model (COM), enables a developer's Windows and Windows CE applications to leverage the advantage of on-the-fly, wireless networking, and even joins several Windows and Windows CE devices within the same session. The SPANworks II Wireless API facilitates programming of multi-user applications for group collaboration, interactive messaging and data sharing.

The Early-Access SDK Program is priced at US $1,350.00, with incentive-priced pre-registration available at US $850.00. Applications for pre-registration are taken via the website from the first 250 developers who apply.

http://www.spanworks.com

***Brightcom BIC2101 Bluetooth Application Processor Demonstrated

(June 6)

BrightCom Technologies, a provider of Bluetooth Application Processors, has demonstrated its BIC2101 Application Processor for the first time. The BIC2101 is the first of BrightCom’s IntelliBlue family of Application Processors, and provides a way to implement a range of Bluetooth home and office wireless applications. This integrated solution reduces the bill of materials for the overall Bluetooth-enabled system by using BrightCom’s silicon and software in an Application Processor format that does not require any change in a customer’s existing hardware or operating systems.

BrightCom demonstrated the versatility and adaptability of the BIC2101 in a variety of uses ranging from PC to PC communication via pairs of USB and UART dongles to complete embedded applications running on Bluetooth add-ons for industrial equipment. The latter used a bar code reader and handheld terminals that BrightCom seamless connected, based on the Serial Port Profile, and without requiring any changes to either product.

BrightCom used its BDK2101 development kit, which is based on the BIC2101 and provides a hardware/software development platform, to demonstrate two different BIC2101-based modules - one incorporating a Silicon Wave radio chip and the other a BroadCom radio chip.

The BIC2101 is priced at under $10 in volume quantities, which include the Application Processor IC with all Baseband functionality, software drivers for UART, USB and PCM, the Bluetooth protocol stack and the BrightAPI with Bluetooth profiles support.

http://www.brightcom.com

0128.4 Other Wireless

***IEEE 802.17 Resilient Packet Ring Working Group Interim Meeting

The IEEE 802.17 Working Group on the Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) standard recently completed a week of meetings in Orlando, Florida. Carriers, system vendors, and chip developers made 36 presentations covering many aspects of RPR. The principle objectives of the meeting were to continue the presentation of technology proposals and to debate and act on each of the remaining objectives of the RPR standard. Discussion on the proposed objectives gave the participants an opportunity to examine a number of RPR proposals and requirements. 129 participants from about 57 companies attended the meeting.

Objectives approved during the session were:

Support for dynamic weighted bandwidth distribution

Support for lower limit data rates

Plug and Play support - New nodes may join the ring without manual configuration

Support services that require bounded delay and jitter and guaranteed bandwidth

The next plenary meeting is to be held in early July.

The Working Group is moving forward on a number of fronts.  A performance committee was officially formed to develop test scenarios for proposed implementations. A terms and definitions Ad Hoc committee was created to develop the vocabulary needed to describe RPR objectives and features. Some of these definitions are used in other environments, and some are being created to specifically address 802.17 functions. Participants are also beginning work on the outline and draft chapters for the standard, which might also be available by the July meeting.

The Resilient Packet Ring Alliance (RPRA), founded in January 2001, is a nonprofit organization committed to the development of an RPR technology standard for the networking industry. The Alliance will promote the adoption of an RPR standard for LANs, MANs, and WANs by educating the networking industry about RPR technology and the benefits of an IEEE standard and encouraging multi-vendor interoperability. Principal members of the RPR Alliance include Alidian Networks, AuroraNetics, Cisco Systems, Corrigent Systems, Cyras Systems, Dynarc, Lantern Communications, Luminous Networks, Mindspeed Technologies, Nortel Networks, Riverstone Networks, and Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation. Avaya Communication is a participating member in the Alliance.

http://www.rpralliance.org/summary.doc

 

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