MAC supports ultra-wideband networks

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 22, 2003

TTPCom has developed new MAC technology aimed at the new generation of ultra-wideband (UWB) systems.

TTPCom has developed new MAC technology aimed at the new generation of ultra-wideband (UWB) systems.

The medium access controller (MAC) core, based on TTPCom's third generation MAC design, allows ultra-wideband technology developers to focus on the challenges of physical layer design whilst building on mature, silicon-proven MAC technology.

TTPCom's UWB MAC technology is available for immediate licence.

TTPCom's will be demonstrating its UWB MAC to selected partners alongside the IEEE802 meeting this week San Francisco, running from 20th to 25th July.

The MAC demonstration shows video transported over TTPCom's new 802.15.3 MAC running in FPGA.

TTPCom's MAC core is scalable from low rate operation up to the very high throughputs supported by ultra wideband.

The design carefully segregates data traffic by extensive use of pointers, shared memory and DMA paths.

An innovative parallel processing architecture and sophisticated hardware assist mean that the design can be scaled to deliver rates of 1Gbit/s and beyond.

TTPCom has pioneered a completely new approach to MAC design using a protocol accelerator subsystem to manage the protocol based on packet "recipes" stored in RAM.

These recipes can easily be modified by software to adapt the MAC's behaviour - the same core MAC technology can implement 802.15.3, 802.11a/b/g/i and 802.11e.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Barkway, head of TTPCom's Broadband Wireless Group said: "TTPCom's MAC core is right at the forefront of developments in UWB technology.

The design is highly flexible and, because it builds on a proven 802.11 design and on experience gained from working with wireless date technologies for over 10 years, it is a robust solution that offers manufacturers a fast time to market.

With the high datarates required by UWB, the key issue is getting the hardware design right and, as our demonstration convincingly shows, we have overcome the challenges and developed a unique solution".

TTPCom's MAC solution incorporates a 32kHz crystal that can be used to maintain timing in standby mode, reducing standby power consumption to microwatts.

The CPU can shut down when processing is complete and hardware blocks within the design autonomously shut down when not required to further reduce power.

Intensive work is underway within the IEEE802.15.3a task group to enhance the core standard to incorporate ultra wideband.

802.15.3 was originally developed for 55Mbit/s personal area networks - ultra wideband offers data rates of 500Mbit/s and has added much needed momentum to the standard.

The 802.15.3 MAC core augments TTPCom's solutions for broadband wireless - these now include MAC hardware, software and modem designs for all the current variants of 802.11.

Future variants will include support for leading broadband wireless standards as well as optimised software and hardware designs for GSM.11 - wireless terminals which can work on both cellular and wireless LAN "hotspot" networks.