Ultra Wideband (UWB) is a wireless technology that is trying to fill a void for extremely high data rate wireless connectivity, beyond what 802.11a/b and Bluetooth are capable of. Until February 14, 2002, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved commercial use of the technology, the military and the government were the only users of this technology.
UWB has a data rate potential of greater than 100 times that of Bluetooth solutions and over twice as fast as 802.11a, while using 80 percent less power than current Wi-Fi implementations. UWB will allow for the transmission of video files and streams between digital TVs, projectors, camcorders, PCs, and digital set-top boxes. We can expect to see UWB-enabled electronics and chipsets devices to start appearing in 2003.
Allied Business Intelligence (ABI) forecasts the total global shipments for UWB-enabled electronics and chipsets under the moderate scenario could reach 45.1 million units by 2007, with resulting revenues of $1.3 B. These projections include shipments into market segments including communications, imaging, vehicles, locators and military and government use.
The new ABI report, "Ultra Wideband (UWB) Wireless - An Evaluation of Technology Prospects and Potential Market Applications," investigates the world markets of UWB and examines if this will be the next generation in wireless communications such as wireless LANs, personal area networks, imaging, vehicles, locators and radar. The report employs a scenario analysis approach (moderate, aggressive and pessimistic) in providing forecast for 20 different market segments through 2007.