| |
Next-gen Wi-Fi standard remains in limbo
|
Spencer Chin
EE Times
(03/18/2005 12:29 PM EST)
MANHASSET, N.Y. — With the IEEE making no conclusive decision Thursday on which of the primary proposals for the 802.11n specification it would embrace, the stage is set for a compromise proposal encompassing aspects of both proposals.
In a meeting in Atlanta Thursday, 180 voters, or 56 percent, supported the Task Group N (TGnSync) proposal, compared to 44 percent for the WWiSE (World-Wide Spectrum Efficiency) proposal.
Since neither proposal captured 75 percent of the votes, representatives of both parties will in coming weeks hold discussions to determine how the proposals may be merged, according to Rolf De Vegt, senior director of business development for Airgo Networks (Palo Alto, Calif.).
A spokesman for Airgo added Friday that one or two more IEEE meetings are likely before a draft will emerge. He added that a second confirmation vote will happen in May or July, depending on the progress of merger discussions.
A meeting of the minds may not be that far off as there are many similarities in both proposals. Both the TGnSync and WWiSE proposals would bring wireless LANs up to and potentially beyond the 100 Mbps speeds of Ethernet LANs. Both also use Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna technology, developed by Airgo, although they differ in their specific implementations.
According to Airgo's De Vegt, WWise, TGnSync includes more optional elements than Wise, which could complicate execution.
For months, major semiconductor and communications companies have been lining up in favor of either camp. In January, Qualcomm throw its support behind TGnSync, joining vendors such as Intel. Recent supporters of WWiSE include Motorola, and Nokia.
Although the impetus for a next-generation WiFi standard is there, some industry observers have said they don't expect final adoption of the 802.11n standard for at least another year.
Mobile Pipeline Staff contributed to this report
|
|
|
SEARCH JOBS
SPONSOR
RECENT JOB POSTINGS
CAREER NEWS
|
|
|
|
RSS
Digital
RSS| 
Digital| 
Mobile
