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
--------------------------------------
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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