Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Certified Wireless USB


A new wireless technology.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, there is a new kid in town! The name: Wireless USB..


Do not get confused with a wireless USB adapter though! We are talking here of a new wireless technology, officially called "Certified Wireless USB".

Wireless USB is a short-range, high-bandwidth wireless radio communication protocol created by the Wireless USB Promoter Group. Wireless USB is capable of sending 480 Mbit/s at distances up to 3 meters and 110 Mbit/s at up to 10 meters. It was designed to operate in the 3.1 to 10.6 Ghz frequency range, although local regulatory policies may restrict the legal operating range for any given country. (Source: Wikipedia).

Wireless USB is basically 4 to 8 times faster than Wi-Fi with a Bluetooth class 2 range.

Also the frequency range of Wireless USB helps avoid interference with other wireless devices like mobile phones, Wi-Fi networks, and Bluetooth devices.

The first devices using this technology was, to my knowledge, the Iogear Wireless USB Hub GUWH104KIT and the Belkin Wireless Hub F5U302 (see picture). So far the reviews have not shown much enthusiasm, to say the least! Unstable connection, short range (if no direct line of sight), and slow transfer rate are the major complaints, not to mention the price...

Wireless USB still is a brand new technology with a lot of obstacles to overcome. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can breathe...for now!

Here is a very good article about Wireless USB.


Laurent
wiredforwireless.com


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