Bluetooth: Peer-to-Peer Links Viable in 2001, Multi-Point in 2002
nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com
August 7, 2000 (TOKYO) -- A wide variety of
Bluetooth-capable devices are in their final
stages of development, and makers of related
products are moving at brisk speeds to
accommodate Bluetooth technology.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a
group promoting standardization of the
know-how, is rushing to assure multi-vendor
interoperability for products to be commercially
available. From the time of its foundation, the
Bluetooth SIG has been making efforts to firm
up the basic frameworks for assurance,
qualification programs and other activities, or
lessons learned from existing interface standards
that lacked such items.
Bluetooth-capable products are likely to offer
users peer-to-peer access in 2001 and
multiple-point access in 2002.
Three Arrangements to Assure
Interoperability
The Bluetooth SIG is focusing on assurance of
multi-vendor interoperability, or ease-of-use
wireless connectivity, and three arrangements
are being prepared.
First, it has arranged a system to clear up the
bugs and ambiguity in Bluetooth. The Bluetooth
SIG has twice held "UnPlugFests," which
promote the understanding of Bluetooth
specifications by testing products to clear up any
fuzzy descriptions. And the standard for the
middleware in terms of incorporation has been
revised.
Second, it regulated the incorporation method of
the middleware called "Profile," and has obliged
makers to indicate this on their products. Using
such a regulated Profile, this ensures
multi-vendor interoperability to run actual
applications.
Third, a qualification process called the
"Qualification Program" was recognized to be
necessary. Without it, the Bluetooth logo cannot
be featured, to identify a Bluetooth-capable
product. The Bluetooth SIG aims to maintain
the quality of Bluetooth interfaces using this
program.
Bluetooth Version 1.1 to be Released in
August
Standardization work is proceeding. Both the
Bluetooth SIG and IEEE 802.15 committee are
working diligently. According to the schedule of
standardization, the Bluetooth standard Ver. 1.1
will be released in late August. Descriptions will
be more specific and bugs are expected to be
purged from the new version.
Drawing up of Bluetooth Ver.2.0 will be
promoted on a full scale after the release of
Ver.1.1. In Ver.2.0, the maximum data transfer
speed will be upgraded to 2Mbps-12Mbps from
the current 1Mbps (effectively 721kbps), along
with a reduction in interference with other
wireless communication systems, such as IEEE
802.11b.
Formulation of the new Profile, another
highlight of Ver.2.0, has just started. It will be
completed in the second half of 2001. Thus, for
the time being, products compatible with the
Ver.1.1 standard will be the mainstream of
Bluetooth products.
Also, the IEEE 802.15 committee is proceeding
with its standardization work. The IEEE 802.15
committee, derived from the IEEE 802.11
committee, aims to standardize wireless
communications technology for personal area
network (PAN) applications.
Modules to be Mass-Produced Soon
Based on the progress of the standardization
work, component makers are moving quickly.
Specifically, makers of Bluetooth-capable
transceiver modules are working hard to bring
out products. They are likely to sample new
devices in 2000 and shift to volume
manufacturing in the timeframe from the end of
2000 through the first half of 2001.
LM Ericsson of Sweden will launch modules for
multi-point access, targeting the fourth quarter
of 2000. As early as mid-2001, it plans to
sample new modules featuring a surface area
about 40 percent more compact.
Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. and Murata Mfg., Co.,
Ltd. are close to the stage of full-scale
shipments. Taiyo Yuden is developing
transceiver modules, including LSIs for
baseband processing and RF transceivers, while
Murata is developing RF-circuit modules.
Peer-to-Peer Access Comes First
Applications of Bluetooth-capable devices will
start with peer-to-peer access. Initially,
applications will appear for a hands-free phone
device linking both a cellular phone and a
headset for use in a car, and also wireless
dial-up access for personal computers at home
or in small offices to Internet access points.
After popularizing the use of peer-to-peer
access, Bluetooth will be installed in many
mobile phones. Hands-free and dial-up-access
applications for mobile phones will be offered as
early as he second half of 2001, in Japan.
NTT DoCoMo Inc., Japan's leading mobile
phone operator, previously said it would launch
Bluetooth-capable mobile phone models
concurrently with its introduction of IMT-2000
services slated for the spring of 2001.
However, NTT DoCoMo is behind schedule. On
the other hand, progress is being made between
third parties for i-mode-based browser software
with the protocol stack for Bluetooth. Therefore,
it may be installed in i-mode devices ahead of
IMT-2000-compatible devices.
Additionally, KDDI Group (the name of the
company after DDI Group, IDO Corp. and KDD
merge in October 2000) will start
commercializing mobile phones equipped with
the MSM3300 chipset featuring baseband
processing functions for Bluetooth as early as
the spring of 2001. It uses code division multiple
access (CDMA) technology.
J-Phone group will launch mobile phones with
the Bluetooth protocol stack and Java executive
environment within 2001.
Multiple-Point Access Next
Applications with multiple-point access will
start expanding after the dissemination of
peer-to-peer-access devices.
Toshiba Corp. is focusing on small LAN
services that connect multiple notebook PCs.
During business meetings, for example, users
will be able to refer to the same files and
information.
Also, Microsoft Corp. and 3Com Corp. of the
United States are focusing on similar small LAN
services. 3Com plans to develop a system that
enables users to exchange data easily via the
Bluetooth-capable devices.
However, a few more years will be needed to
achieve a world full of Bluetooth-enabled
devices. |
