June 5, 2006
Two new wireless technologies entering the market this year are expected to bring on a new wave of wireless PC peripherals.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB), which has been dubbed "the Super-Bluetooth", is a new technology used in a chip that would allow virtually PC peripherals and devices -- such as external hard drives -- to be used without the need for cables. UWB data transmission speed reach up to 480 Mbps, in comparison to Bluetooth's 159 Mbps, which makes UWB ideal for moving high-volume multimedia data.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced that its next generation products will integrate UWB, and thus Taiwan companies have started to develop Bluetooth product chips in conjunction with
IT companies.
Taiwanese companies are already developing their own UWB chips, including the IC fabs Realtek and Faraday Technology. In addition, the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is also running its own UWB Chip Project to develop the technology and other products.
Chungshan Instiute of Science and Technology UWB Chip Project Manager Zhuang Yu-min believes that UWB will make a significant impact on technology products, such as hot-swappable computer peripherals and common home electronics such as TVs and DVD players.
Another up-and-coming wireless technology, Zigabee, has a smaller data transmission rate, but boasts a low-energy consumption feature: it can be run on normal batteries for up to two years, making it suitable for monitors.
At the moment, UWB chips are expected to cost
USD 20 each on their debut, but prices should lower significantly within two years, according to analysts.
(Economic Daily News)
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