Motorola fights on in ultrawideband battle
Published: 05 Mar 2004 10:10 GMT
MR: Motorola is a believer in direct sequence, because UWB is a technology that's totally different from any other wireless. Most wireless is low bandwidth and high power -- making it wideband, which is what MBOA is doing, is expensive and complex. With direct sequence, bandwidth can go up and up with simpler, lower cost radios.
Both MBOA and direct sequence can do video to a high-definition screen in a room. We say we're better, MBOA argues that it is. But we can do low-power, hand-held applications -- 500 megabits a second to a gigabit a second and above, over one to two metres. MBOA has a fixed bandplan, and lots of complexity comes in then. They can't increase bandwidth except by adding complexity and power consumption, and we're the exact opposite.
How about regulatory issues?
MR: There are a whole load of questions about MBOA, and none about direct sequence. The NTIA [National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the US advisory body on spectrum use] is doing a whole load of tests at the moment, and they'll have results in three to nine months. Both sides have done tests, both have done their analysis, but both are saying opposite things.
JB: The FCC rules [that Intel claims compliance of] say things like 'stop frequency hopping to check your noise' and Intel has said that this isn't applicable to them. The FCC is saying that the rules are one thing, but there must be proof of non-interference. Intel is saying that because it complies to the rules, it doesn't interfere. That's not right.
Intel has published details of tests with digital satellite receivers that it says prove it doesn't interfere...
JB: We've got the identical test rig and get the opposite results. We ran the test with everything set up as it would normally be; Intel set things up on the edge of failure. Who's right, who's wrong? The NTIA is using their own test setup and will have nobody there to fudge the numbers. This sort of thing is very common from a regulatory perspective. It happens all the time.
What happens if Intel presses ahead with its technology and the NTIA proves it doesn't interfere?
MR: If Intel is right and has product out and nobody cares, then this discussion is moot. But if the Intel/TI analysis is wrong, then it's hugely impactful.
They're betting that the Motorola solution will go away. This won't happen. This never happens.
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