was achieved in Bluetooth 2.0, but much higher data rates are expected to be in demand by users with the ever growing volume of digital content being transferred between devices. In May 2005, the Bluetooth SIG announced that it is working with ultra wideband developers to extend Bluetooth capabilities to achieve the data rates that will be required by high speed applications such as delivering digital video to portable devices in a PAN. This development clearly aims to leverage the strong Bluetooth brand which has considerable market strength although, from the user's point of view, backward compatibility will be expensive to achieve as UWB and the current 2.4 GHz FHSS PHY are not interoperable. Wireless USB Origins and Main Characteristics Wireless USB is the result of the drive by the USB Implementers Forum to ensure that the highly successful wired USB interface evolves into the wireless future. The Wireless USB Promoter Group was formed in February 2004 to create a wireless extension to USB that would apply the original USB principles of ease-of-use, compatibility and low cost, to high speed wireless technology. The strong industry support and brand recognition of USB are assets that the group hopes will give wireless USB (WUSB) a head start in the wireless PAN sector. Retaining a strong link with wired USB is central to the design goals of wireless USB (Table 10-9). Wireless USB uses ultra wideband (UWB) radio technology to deliver a PHY layer data rate of 480 Mbps, with low power consumption and a range of up to 10 metres. This will enable wireless USB to comfortably Chapter Ten Table 10-9: Wireless USB Design Objectives Design goal Description Preserve USB Wireless USB is designed to use the same software interface software and device drivers as USB. infrastructure Preserve the smart As with USB devices, wireless USB keeps the device simple host simple device and leaves management of network complexity to the host. model Enable power Many devices that took power via a wired USB connection efficiency will b