Device Wire Adapter Chip supports 3-5 and 5-10 GHz ranges.
Press Release Summary:
Model µPD720180A enables wireless communication between Wireless USB-compatible personal computer or other Wireless USB host system, and printers, digital home appliances, and other devices supporting USB 2.0. LSI chip increases communication speed when multiple Wireless USB-based hosts communicate with peripherals, and helps improve communication quality by avoiding interference. It allows consumers to associate their devices wirelessly, without using USB cables.
Original Press Release:
NEC Electronics Announces New Device Wire Adapter Chip to Enable Connection of Wired USB Peripherals to Wireless USB-Based Host Systems
KAWASAKI, Japan, DUESSELDORF, Germany, SANTA CLARA, Calif. (U.S.A.), August 19, 2008
NEC Electronics today announced that it has begun sample shipments of its new device wire adapter (DWA) LSI chip, part number µPD720180A, which enables wireless communication between a Wireless USB-compatible personal computer or other Wireless USB host system, and printers, digital home appliances, and other devices supporting USB 2.0.
The primary feature of the µPD720180A DWA chip is that in addition to the conventional frequency range of 3 to 5 gigahertz (GHz), it also supports the 5 to 10 GHz range. This expanded frequency range is expected to help popularize Wireless USB-based systems by solving some of the limitations of conventional systems. For example, the µPD720180A DWA chip increases communication speed when multiple Wireless USB-based hosts communicate with peripherals, and it improves communication quality by avoiding interference.
NEC Electronics' µPD720171 host controller, which the company recently announced, already supports this wide frequency range, and by combining it with the new µPD720180A DWA chip will enable reliable Wireless USB communication.
NEC Electronics' new µPD720180A DWA chip is compatible with the company's existing DWA chip, the µPD720180 and its highly reliable driver software. Another benefit of the µPD720180A DWA chip is that it allows consumers to associate their devices wirelessly, without using USB cables, thus making it easier to get systems up and running.
USB 2.0 is a communications protocol enabling bidirectional communication at speeds of 480 megabits per second (Mbps) and is gaining in popularity in a number of applications, including computers and peripherals, digital cameras, portable music players, and more. Wireless USB has the same maximum speed of 480 Mbps as USB 2.0, enabling wireless communication up to a range of 10 meters. It is believed that Wireless USB will become the main protocol for interfaces connecting wireless products, because it enables high-speed communication between directly connected devices, and is compatible with wired USB 2.0 devices, among other reasons.
NEC Electronics has participated in all stages of the creation of USB and Wireless USB protocols since 1996, when it joined the USB Implementers Forum, an organization for the drafting of USB-related specifications. NEC Electronics has developed chips supporting each of these communication protocols, and as a proofpoint of its leadership in this field, in December 2005, it released the µPD720170, the world's first host-controller for Wireless USB.
NEC Electronics will demonstrate its Wireless USB technology at Intel Developer Forum (IDF) 2008, August 19-21, at Moscone Center West in San Francisco, in the Wireless USB Community, booth #808. Featured will be USB-IF-certified Wireless USB silicon in a demonstration of NEC Electronics' ExpressCard(TM)-type host controller (part number µPD720171) operating with WiMedia's ultra-wideband (UWB) higher bandgroups at clock speeds ranging from 6.3 to 7.6 GHz. To exhibit its exceptional Wireless USB throughput capability, the host controller will interact with NEC Electronics' Wireless USB DWA chip (part number µPD720180A) integrated into a Wireless USB hub.
Pricing and Availability
Sample pricing for the µPD720180A DWA chip is US$10 per unit. Mass production is expected to begin in October 2008. (Pricing and availability are subject to change.) NEC Electronics expects to reach a production volume of about 500,000 units per month by October 2009. More information about NEC Electronics' lineup of Wireless USB solutions can be found at http://necel.com/cwusb/en/newproducts.html.
About NEC Electronics
NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets; system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripheral, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH.
More information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com.
