Intel now has available its Wireless UWB Link 1480 media access controller (MAC) silicon and reference designs for ultra-wideband host solutions.
UWB provides high-bandwidth, low-power wireless connectivity. Since it’s low-power and short-range, it is appropriate for so-called personal area network (PAN) connectivity in homes and offices. The technology will allow PCs, printers, digital TVs and other devices with high-speed USB ports to be upgraded to support wireless personal connectivity through USB dongles and ExpressCards.
Intel said its UWB host MAC silicon has been integrated with multiple third-party UWB physical layers, offering customers a choice of radio solutions in its host reference designs. The Intel host solution enables concurrent operation of Certified Wireless USB and WiNet and has been demonstrated to interoperate with multiple device peripherals such as cameras and printers.
Microsoft said it plans to support the concurrent functionality of WiNet and Certified Wireless USB enabled in Intel’s host solution with Microsoft drivers.