WiMedia Alliance Extends Specs to Address Worldwide Regulatory Requirements
September 11, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
The WiMedia Alliance adopted a Spectrum Extension Release (SER) update to its ultra-wideband (UWB) radio specifications.
This extension to the existing specifications adds optional features to address certain worldwide regulatory requirements, which are designed to allow broader deployment of the WiMedia common radio platform, according to the WiMedia Alliance.
"The SER specification is very significant to implementers of WiMedia radios as it defines important features such as three new channels, tone nulling capabilities, which can be used to avoid interference with other spectrum users and it defines a new band group (BG6), which facilitate greater worldwide use," said Stephen Wood, president of the WiMedia Alliance.
"What this means is that an [original equipment manufacturer] OEM/[original design manufacturer] ODM could offer a [stock-keeping unit] SKU, which is suitable for use in all regions worldwide that have approved the use of the ultra-wideband (UWB) spectrum."
With the definition of BG6 (which uses the existing UWB bands 9, 10 and 11), manufacturers can implement 3-band hopping radios on a global basis (subject to local regulatory restrictions), said the WiMedia Alliance.
In addition, the SER specification also defines three new 2-band hopping channels (TFI2), which allow radios to increase range (compared to single band operation) when only 2 bands are available for use, said the WiMedia Alliance.
Furthermore, the specification also defines "tone nulling" capabilities to avoid interference with other radios that may be sharing a portion of the same band in accordance with local regulatory requirements for detect and avoid capability (DAA).
Another consideration for universal adoption of UWB is the local regulatory requirements for spectrum use, said the WiMedia Alliance.
The WiMedia radio is authorized for use in regions worldwide such as the U.S., Japan, Europe and Korea; however, the allowed portions of the 3.1 - 10.6 GHz spectrum vary by region and in some cases they may only be used if DAA or other mitigation techniques are employed, said the WiMedia Alliance.
Source: WiMedia Alliance.