Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Freescale Semiconductor | Subject: Cable-free USB
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 05 January 2006
UWB chipset cuts the cable on USB
Creating a new wireless path for Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 devices, Freescale Semiconductor, along with leading manufacturers, has launched a cable-free USB initiative.
Creating a new wireless path for Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 devices, Freescale Semiconductor, along with leading manufacturers, has launched a cable-free USB initiative Powered by Freescale's ultrawideband (UWB) technology, this initiative is aimed at enabling true USB 2.0 functionality with a wireless connection and marks the release of the first UWB-enabled consumer products for the US market
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Freescale's UWB silicon and software enable a cable-free USB solution that is integrated into consumer products from Belkin Corporation and Gefen.
Using cable-free USB powered by Freescale's ultrawideband technology, the new products eliminate USB cabled connections and are capable of wirelessly streaming data, video and audio between USB-equipped devices, such as laptops, digital camcorders, printers, cell phones and more.
According to a recent USB research report by In-Stat, more than 700 million USB devices are in the market today and that number is forecasted to increase to 2.1 billion in 2009.
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USB ports are increasingly found on mobile and handheld products such as smart phones and digital media players, in addition to traditional computer and peripheral products that are equipped with USB ports.
Belkin and Gefen are developing initial products aimed at connecting these products wirelessly using cable-free USB.
"Our cable-free USB approach allows consumers to extend the functionality of their existing USB 2.0 cameras, Flash drives, MP3 players, laptops and many other consumer electronic devices by creating a wireless connection for the existing USB 2.0 specification", said Martin Rofheart, Director of the UWB Operation at Freescale.
"Our customers, such as Belkin and Gefen, are eager to provide consumers with an easy and effective cable replacement".
"And, coupling our UWB technology with the Cable-Free USB approach, they have developed an 'out of the box' solution that provides true USB connectivity - wirelessly".
Cable-free USB leverages the existing USB 2.0 specification.
It does not require consumers to upgrade or replace their hardware, install software or new drivers.
Additionally, cable-free USB can be embedded into next-generation products, eliminating the need for an external adapter while still retaining true USB functionality.
Demonstrations of cable-free USB are being shown throughout CES this week, highlighting the ease of use and wire-like quality of the products.
The Belkin offerings include a dongle and a four port hub set that will achieve wireless connectivity instantly for any USB device, such as laptops, printers, cameras, and MP3 Players.
With cable-free USB, Belkin gives consumers the convenience to place their USB devices anywhere in the room, while maintaining wireless access to them.
By simply plugging the dongle into any USB-certified device, consumers' laptops are no longer tied down to their devices.
Working with any USB 2.0 certified device, Gefen's wireless USB extender uses small sender and receiver units connected to the computer and the extended USB device.
By plugging the receiver, small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, into the USB port on the target device, an instant wireless connection is achieved.
No USB cables are needed to deliver data from the sender to the receiver, which can be connected to the camera, keyboard, printer or any USB 2.0 device - up to 10m from the computer.
Cable-free USB is powered by Freescale's UWB chipset and the ExtremeUSB solution from Icron Technologies Corp, enabling a zero-install wireless USB solution.
Unlike other efforts to create an entirely new USB standard to incorporate UWB technology, Freescale and Icron's USB-over-UWB wireless solution is designed to support existing USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices in the market today.
This gives users a "plug and play" experience right out of the box.
Freescale's UWB solutions enable high rate transfer of video, audio and data streams wirelessly.
UWB brings a wireless option to auto, consumer electronics and PC/peripheral manufacturers.
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.
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