NEC launches first host controller based on wireless USB

NEC has launched its USB host controller uPD720170, making it the first host controller based on wireless USB technology to hit the market.

Wireless USB technology is widely perceived to replace Bluetooth in coming years, mainly because it supports data transfers at speeds of 480 Mbps within a radius of 3 meters. The data transfer speed offered is comparatively higher than Bluetooth, enabling more speedy transfers of data between various mobile devices.

The uPD720170 Wireless USB host controller from NEC has the ability to connect simultaneously to a maximum of 32 devices and offers eight different data transfer speeds (53.3 Mbps at the lower end and 480 Mbps at the higher end).

NEC will be demonstrating the uPD720170c at CES 2006 to be held at Las Vegas from Jan 5-8. At present the uPD720170c is priced at $20, the prices will further come down once volume production starts in the second quarter of 2006.

People interested in knowing more about it and other wireless USB devices from NEC should visit http://www.necel.com/usb/en/wusb/index.html for more information.