Wireless USB gets US$124M boost
SINGAPORE--NXP Semiconductors unveiled Tuesday plans to invest more than 90 million euros (US$124.3 million) over the next five years to drive its research and development (R&D) efforts in wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus), or W-USB.
The funds will be directed into the company's R&D facility in Singapore, which focuses on R&D work specifically in the area of short-range wireless radio communication.
Based on the WiMedia Alliance's ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, W-USB is touted to support data rates of up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) and at distances of up to 3 meters, dropping to 110Mbps at up to 10 meters. It is tipped as a wireless replacement for USB cables, connecting a range of devices from PCs to keyboards to portable media players.
NXP, formerly known as Philips Semiconductors, said the investment will be used to further develop the expertise of its Singapore USB Innovation Center in the complete technology "lifecycle", including standardization, test and product engineering, and system and software development.
An NXP spokesperson told ZDNet Asia that the local facility is dedicated to drive the semiconductor's global initiatives in the advancement of W-USB, where its team here regularly collaborates with engineers at its U.S.-based R&D hub. The center here, however, houses the core team and drives the company's key research developments in the wireless technology.
"W-USB promises to bring greater connectivity and convenience to mobile phones, consumer electronics and PC peripherals," Marc Cetto, NXP's executive vice president and general manager for mobile and personal business, said in a statement. "We believe it will be a key enabler to realize consumers' demand for connecting information and entertainment anytime anywhere."
"Our investment in manpower, equipment and IP (intellectual property) creation, together with the support of Singapore's Economic Development Board, empowers the development of state-of-the-art W-USB to further our leadership position," Cetto added.
Two notebooks on Monday became the first devices to be W-USB certified: Dell Computer's Inspiron 1720 and Lenovo's ThinkPad T61 and T61p. The W-USB chipsets in both mobile computers are manufactured by Texas, U.S.-based WiQuest Communications.
Intel has also said it is looking to drive its initiative in the W-USB specification. The chipmaker is also a member of the WiMedia Alliance.