In support
of developing the best overall solution for the emerging market
in ultrawideband-based technology, the Multiband OFDM Alliance
(MBOA) was formed in June 2003 and now numbers over 130 member companies.
These companies support a UWB specification that is based on an OFDM
approach, originally introduced by Texas Instruments in March 2003,
which will enable the broadest possible range of applications and
satisfy the requirements of consumers and regulatory agencies worldwide.
The MBOA has been working closely to leverage its collective expertise
in the creation and publication of a Multiband OFDM specification
for UWB PHY technology and will work in harmony with other UWB standards
bodies such as IEEE, WiMedia, Wireless USB Promoter Group, 1394
TA, CEA, and others as appropriate. The MBOA continues to conduct
exhaustive
testing to ensure a solution with the maximum coexistence characteristics
possible with future and incumbent wireless services. The MBOA will
work with worldwide regulatory agencies to promote and seek specific
approval for MBOA-based devices worldwide. The MBOA has also created
a forum for collaboration with and by all UWB ecosystem players including
antenna vendors, test and measurement vendors, upper layer protocol
applications, and interfaces. Dozens of engineers are active in various
MBOA technical subcommittees developing and improving the specification
in areas ranging from system definition, MAC, MAC-PHY interface,
scalability, regulatory, and ranging.
The MBOA membership
includes some of the most influential players in the Consumer Electronics,
Personal Computing, Home Entertainment,
Mobile Phone, Semiconductor and Digital Imaging spaces, including:
AboCom Systems, Adamya, Adaptive Labs, Adimos, Advanced Resources Corporation, Advanced Science & Technology
Institute, Advantest, Agere Systems, Alereon, ALinx Technology, Allion Computer, Appairent Technologies, Arounda,
Artimi,
Asahi Glass, Blue7 Communications, Broadcom,
Centre for Wireless Communications (University of Oulu), Centro
de Tecnologia de las Comunicaciones S.A., Chief Tek Electronics,
ClearComet
Ventures, Codified Telenumerics, CommStack, Communication Networks (Aachen University), Complaince Certification Services,
Computer Access Technology, Concrete Logic,
Coventive Technologies, CoWare, CWINS (WPI), Creative Labs, Cypress, Denali Software,
EIZO, ESRD of CSIST,
ETS Product Service (USA), Femto
Devices, Focus Enhancements, Fujitsu,
Furaxa, General
Atomics, Genesys Logic, Genius Instituto de Tecnologia,
Hewlett Packard, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited, Hysignal Minervian, IDT, INEX Multimidia, Infineon, Innovative
Wireless Technologies, Inphi, Institute for Infocomm Research, Institute for Information Industry, Intel,
Invisible
Computer, Jaalaa, Kisel Microelectronics, Leviton Voice Data Division, LitePoint, Logitech,
Marvell, Maxim, M.B. International, MCCI,
MeshDynamics, Mewtel Technology, Microsoft, Mindready, Mitsubishi,
Multirate Systems, NEC Electronics, Netac Technology, NewLogic Technologies,
Nokia, Novatek Microelectronics, OEA International, Olympus, Open Interface, Orthotron, Oxygen Development,
Panasonic, Philips, Positive Edge ASICs, Prancer, Profilo [email protected],
Pulse-LINK, RadioPulse, Raritan,
Realtek, Renesas Technology, RFDomus,
RF Micro Devices, Samsung
Electronics, San Diego State University (Networking Group), Seraphim, Sharp, Sipex, SiWorks,
Sony, Staccato Communications,
STMicroelectronics, Stonestreet One, String Logix, SVC Wireless,
Synopsys, Tallika, TDK, Telegateway, Texas Instruments, TimeDerivative, Toppan
Chunghwa Electronics, Toshiba, TRDA, TrellisWare Technologies, Trendchip
Technologies,
TTPCom, TUV Rheinland of North
America, TZero, University of
Minnesota, UnWiredConnect, UWB Wireless, Vabric, Verisity Design,
Vestel, VIA Networking Technologies, Virage
Logic, VirtualWire Technologies, Wi-LAN, Wipro, Wireless Experience, Wisair, Wisme, WiQuest,
WPANs and ZyDAS. Collectively, these companies retain much
of the world's expertise and experience in designing and building
systems and silicon based upon UWB techniques. Many of these companies
have designed and built UWB systems of various types over the past
10 years, including a variety of single-band and multi-band approaches.
The companies in MBOA are united in their desire to arrive at the
best overall solution for UWB with maximum emphasis on peaceful coexistence
with other wireless services. These companies have created the MBOA
with a consensus that the best technique to achieve these objectives
is Multiband OFDM.
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