WiMedia Announces New Agreements with Bluetooth SIG and Wireless USB

Future specification development to build on UWB’s momentum
 
SAN RAMON, Calif. – March 16th, 2009 - The WiMedia Alliance announced today it is entering into technology transfer agreements for the WiMedia Ultra-wideband (UWB) specifications. WiMedia will transfer all current and future specifications, including work on future high speed and power optimized implementations, to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Wireless USB Promoter Group and the USB Implementers Forum. After the successful completion of the technology transfer, marketing and related administrative items, the WiMedia Alliance will cease operations.

“We have reached a point in specification development and product availability where it is more efficient for the related industry groups to oversee future specification development in-house,” said Stephen Wood, president, WiMedia Alliance. “Recent announcements of cost-effective 2nd and 3rd generation products, the availability of high-band products for worldwide use, and UWB chipsets and consumer end products from industry giant Samsung are indicative of the momentum we have gained. Our technology is already embedded in Wireless USB and we have demonstrated working prototypes running the Bluetooth protocol. It now makes sense to streamline the process by passing off future specification development and certification.”

Many of the WiMedia Alliance members are current members of one or both of the other industry groups and so a seamless transition is expected as they continue to move the specifications forward.

“We have been working with the WiMedia Alliance for a number of years and together we share members and a common desire to forward the establishment of the most efficient and cost effective wireless solutions for any environment,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). “This is a natural transition and one that will streamline processes, bringing wireless products to market more quickly.”

“The Wireless USB Promoter Group and the USB-IF have worked closely with the WiMedia Alliance since its inception in support of the rapid development and adoption of Wireless USB standards and products,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and Chairman.  “This technology transfer will provide our members with a one-stop process for certification and continued productization of Wireless USB.”

About the WiMedia Alliance

The WiMedia Alliance is a not-for-profit open industry association that promotes and enables the rapid adoption, regulation, standardization and multi-vendor interoperability of ultra-wideband (UWB) worldwide. The basis for the industry’s first UWB standards (published by Ecma International), WiMedia UWB is optimized for wireless personal-area networks delivering high-speed (480Mbps and beyond), low-power multimedia capabilities for the PC, CE, mobile and automotive market segments. Emphasizing peaceful coexistence with other wireless services, the WiMedia UWB Common Radio Platform is designed to operate with application stacks developed by the Wireless USB Promoter Group, the Bluetooth-SIG and proprietary implementations.
WiMedia board members include Alereon, CSR, Intel, Nokia, ST-Ericsson, Samsung Electronics, Staccato Communications and Wisair.