Pulse~LINK Unveils Gigabit UWB Chip for In-Home Media Networks

Pulse~LINK, a start-up based in Carlsbad, California, introduced its "CWave" UWB chipset designed for whole-home distribution of HDTV content, high quality multi-channel audio and high-speed data across in-home coax and wireless networks. By bridging its wireless and wired communications technologies, CWave enables high data rate transmissions to be distributed throughout the home via coax then wirelessly connects peripheral devices in each room.



Pulse~LINK said its "CWave" chipset will deliver up to a Gigabit of throughput with guaranteed quality of service. Coax, wireless, and even power line communications are all supported simultaneously from the same chipset radio.



The CWave signal traverses existing RF splitters, coexists with legacy CATV, satellite and other signals already carried on the coax, and requires no changes to existing in-home coax cable wiring.



Pulse~LINK said its solution is able to support multiple simultaneous HDTV streams from room to room with "Trick-play" (for pause, fast-forward and fast-rewind capabilities), a capability requiring hundreds of Megabits of throughput.



Pulse~LINK said its solution is able to support multiple simultaneous HDTV streams from room to room with "Trick-play" (for pause, fast-forward and fast-rewind capabilities), a capability requiring hundreds of Megabits of throughput.



The CWave PL3100 chipset comprising all RF, Analog, Baseband and MAC functions. It consists of three microchips, the PL3130 Baseband & MAC in 0.13micron CMOS, the PL3120 RFIC front end in 0.18micron SiGe, and the PL3110 UWB LNA in 0.18micron SiGe. The PL3130 Baseband and MAC features an IEEE 802.15.3 MAC and CWave Gigabit performance Baseband. The PL3120 RFIC front-end comprises the transmitter and receiver functions. The PL3110 LNA is an optional low-noise UWB amplifier that connects to the antenna for extended range and enhanced performance. The 802.15.3 MAC supports both isochronous and asynchronous functionality with a fully deterministic Quality of Service and additional support for multiple overlapping piconets.



"CWave is an extremely powerful and entirely different use of UWB communications technology," states Bruce Watkins, Pulse~LINK President and COO. "While the predominant UWB industry focus has been on short-range wireless USB cable replacements and Bluetooth enhancements, CWave has been optimized from the ground up for the distribution of multimedia content throughout the home using both wireless and wired media. We are pleased to launch the first UWB chipset to enable whole-home connectivity solutions for High Definition, multimedia-centric consumer electronics appliances."http://www.pulselink.net