And TODAY'S topic is... <ggg>
Have been lurking on the newsgroups (alt.cellular, news.comp.dsp,etc.) looking for info on CDMA.
It seems Qualcomm has sponsored a standard, an effort, whatever called WCDMA that looks likely to become part of the 3G standard. Several have posted asking "What is WCDMA?" and the answers seem to indicate that WCDMA has a good chance of succeeding.
However, (and I'm way over my head, here) other posts and links seem to indicate that Wi-LAN has problem with IPR's with respect to the whole question of wideband CDMA - this is speculation on my part, based on a cursory look at the subject. Don't have time now to follow this up, but I have a feeling that Wi-LAN must have been tracking these developments for months.
From the NR -
"Wi-LAN's IP statement is based on the company's belief that the IMT-2000 proposals under consideration for 3G standardization, utilize Wi-LAN's MC-DSSS technology. If passed, IMT-2000 will enable a global platform of services in the cellular industry, including multi-media and high-bit-rate packet data communications."
The IMT-2000 proposals incorporate, if I understand properly, Qualcomm's WCDMA gambit - it follows that Wi-LAN believes that they are being bypassed here.
This is interesting stuff - Wi-LAN's first defense of its IPRs, against Qualcomm, no less!
The financial implications are on the huge side, I'm guessing.
If anyone has insight or knowledge here, please pass it on - maybe I'm misinterpreting things.
Regards, JK |
