Project: IEEE 802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)

1. Project: IEEE 802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) Submission Title: [Just the facts ma’am] Date Submitted: [17September2005] Source: [John Barr] Company [Motorola] Address [1303 E. Golf Road, Schuamburg, IL 60196] Voice:[+1 847 576-8706], FAX: [+1 847 576-6758], E-Mail:[John.Barr@Motorola.com] Re: [] Abstract: [Clarification of misleading statements in the press.] Purpose: [Information for TG3a members to help them make a more informed decision.] Notice: This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE 802.15. It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein. Release: The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes the property of IEEE and may be made publicly available by 802.15.

2. Just the Facts Ma’am • UWB Forum is not using the IEEE ISTO as another path to creating a standard. • The Bluetooth SIG did not step “…away from the wrangling amongst the beardy, sandal-wearing moguls of the IEEE”. • Japan MIC has not made a ruling of UWB regulations. • The WiMedia Alliance is pursuing a competing standard effort with ECMA. INCISOR™ Issue 86, September 2005.

3. UWB Forum and IEEE ISTO • UWB Forum is a trade association whose mission is to promote IEEE 802.15 standards that incorporate UWB technology. • The IEEE ISTO provides a management service to allow small not-for-profit organizations to reduce operational expenses by sharing financial, legal, web hosting, and other services. • The UWB Forum intends to promote 802.15 USB standards by providing means to promote interoperability of products from multiple vendors.

4. Bluetooth SIG and IEEE 802.15 • The Bluetooth SIG provided the technical specification that became the first IEEE 802.15 standard: IEEE Std 802.15.1™-2002. • The IEEE 802.15.1 task group provided a large number of technical and editorial comments that were accepted by the Bluetooth SIG to improve their specification. • IEEE Std 802.15.1-2002 was recently updated to IEEE Std 802.15.1-2005 to bring it in-line with the latest Bluetooth SIG specification.

5. Japanese UWB Regulatory Actions • “During August, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) approved specifications for regulatory approval of UWB”. • Actually, the MIC released a strawman proposal for UWB regulations for consideration (e.g., by ITU TG1/8). INCISOR™ Issue 86, September 2005.

6. Competing UWB Standards • “WiMedia Alliance MB-OFDM UWB in review by alternate global standards body - side-step solution for WiMedia/DS-UWB Forum battle?” • “With an equal level of influence to the IEEE, and providing a closer link to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which enjoys huge respect within the industry, ECMA will provide WiMEdia/MBOA with an alternative regulatory approval. INCISOR™ Issue 86, September 2005.

7. Get the Facts, Not the Buzz • Don’t let the marketing campaign influence good technical decision making process. • There have been instances where history has been clouded: • Claims that one companies marketing campaign made 802.11 a success. • Just saying that someone is a member of an alliance does not mean they always agree with technical qualifications of a particular solution. • Remember some of the purported “facts” provided by representatives of those alliances.