The IEEE P802.15.3 standard for high rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), designed specifically for consumer electronic and portable multimedia devices, has completed IEEE 802.15 working group and sponsor ballot approval. One approval step remains within the consensus process followed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) before IEEE 802.15.3 is completed. Final approval was expected in mid-June 2003, and copies are for sale and can be obtained from the IEEE on-line store at http://www.shop.ieee.org.
The 802.15.3 Task Group was formed in March of 2000. It is a diverse body containing over 100 representatives from well over 50 consumer electronic, computer, component, networking and software companies, as well as those from consultant organizations and academic institutions.
IEEE 802.15.3 enables many features most effectively provided by TDMA systems, such as the ability to support higher data throughput rates, quality of service (QoS), connection management (necessary to control access and use of the net so that QoS is maintained), advanced power management modes (allowing long and QoS synchronized sleep modes), ad-hoc and peer-to-peer topology support, mesh support, daughter network support, enhanced security support and many other useful features. This "clean sheet design" started with a good review and understanding of the market place and has incorporated many good elements of existing designs while keeping sight of its market segment. Products based on the new standard are expected in 2004 and will be supported in part by the WiMedia Alliance (www.wimedia.org).
IEEE P802.15.3 is being developed by the IEEE 802.15 working group for wireless PANs, and is sponsored by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee of the IEEE Computer Society. For further information, visit http://www.ieee802.org/.