What's New @ IEEE in Wireless

VOLUME 7 NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2005

CONTENTS:
1. 3G Wireless Standard Relies on Workable Bandwidth Allocation Scheme
2. Conferences Seek Papers on Vehicular and Antenna Technologies
3. Report: Interference May Be Biggest Barrier to Wi-Fi Growth
4. Workshop on Wireless/Mobile Technologies Comes to Japan
5. Mobile Video Still Faces Hurdles
6. Project Aims to Increase Capacity, Speed for Broadband, Wireless Networks
7. Spin Torque Theory May Create Microwave Oscillations for Wireless Designs
8. New Diodes Help Pave Way for All-Plastic RFID Tags
9. Proceedings from Consumer Communications Conference Released
10. Financial-Planning Discounts Available to U.S. IEEE Members
11. Reading E-Books One Word At A Time
12. Search Engines Get Street Smart with Mobile Access
13. "The Institute" Asks: Is Using A Neighbor's Wi-Fi Access Okay?

WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK IN IEEE XPLORE?
Find the latest technical papers online:
ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/newinfo.jsp

1. 3G WIRELESS STANDARD RELIES ON WORKABLE BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION SCHEME
Three new bandwidth allocation schemes are currently under consideration for the development of the third-generation (3G) wireless standard, which will flexibly support mixed and variable-rate services for multiple time-sharing in order to reduce the problem that limited bandwidth poses on wireless systems, according to an article from IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing. Two transmission schemes proposed for the new standard, known as the Orthogonal Constant Spreading Factor and the multicode-CDMA (MC-CDMA), both depend on the availability of bandwidth access and data rate guarantee. The first bandwidth allocation method that has been proposed, known as the Dynamic Code Assignment scheme, moves calls to a different code each time reallocation is been conducted. The second scheme, known as the single fixed code with multiple dynamic codes, assigns a single fixed code to each user, all assigned in a dynamic manner. The third method, called no fixed codes scheme, dynamically allocates codes to users at the scheduling stage without assigning any fixed codes at all. Read more: dsonline.computer.org/portal/site/dsonline/menuitem.9ed3d9924aeb0dcd82ccc6716bbe36ec/index.jsp?&pName=dso_level1&path=dsonline/0508&file=trans.xml&xsl=article.xsl&

2. CONFERENCES SEEK PAPERS ON VEHICULAR AND ANTENNA TECHNOLOGIES
The deadline for paper submissions to the 2006 IEEE 63rd Vehicular Technology Conference is 16 September. The conference, which takes place 7 to 10 May in Melbourne, Australia, is accepting papers that cover a wide range of topics, including wireless access, future wireless, satellite systems and networks, transportation, and much more. For more information, visit: www.ieeevtc.org/vtc2006spring/submission.php

In addition, the paper submission deadline for the 2006 IEEE International Workshop on Antenna Technology is 30 September. The workshop, which takes place next March in White Planes, New York, USA, invites prospective authors to submit abstracts on a broad range of topics involving a multiplicity of antenna technologies, including small antennas, antennas and arrays, measurements, innovative technology and periodic structures, E-M modeling, and various applications. For more information, visit: research.ihost.com/iwat2006/submissions.html

3. REPORT: INTERFERENCE MAY BE BIGGEST BARRIER TO WI-FI GROWTH
Radio frequency interference from non-Wi-Fi devices may be the biggest hurdle to the technology's growth, according to industry experts, who say Bluetooth devices, microwave ovens, frequency-hopping devices and Web cameras pose the greatest threat to wireless networks. Bruce Hubbert, an AirMagnet engineer who monitored wireless network traffic at DefCon, the self-described "convention for underground hackers," found RF interference, rather than deliberate attacks, had the largest impact on the event's wireless network. According to Hubbert, voice-over-IP and video are far less tolerant of interference than data traffic, and the industry must address the interference problem if Wi-Fi is to gain wide acceptance. Read more about AirMagnet's findings: www.airmagnet.com/news/news.8_2_05.htm

4. WORKSHOP ON WIRELESS/MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES COMES TO JAPAN
The third International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education (WMTE) will take place 28 to 30 November in Tokushima City, Japan. The workshop, sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Learning Technology, will focus on the educational aspects of wireless and mobile technologies, including architectures and infrastructures for ubiquitous learning systems, wireless and mobile designs for education, new pedagogical theories for ubiquitous learning environments and society, and much more. To register to attend, visit: lttf.ieee.org/wmte2005/

Don't miss the next conference you need for your career. IEEE sponsors more than 300 technical conferences and workshops each year, highlighting the latest technological advances. Find events through the IEEE ConferenceSearch Web site at: www.ieee.org/conferencesearch/

5. MOBILE VIDEO STILL FACES HURDLES
As the concept of watching TV on mobile devices continues to captivate consumers, several dueling standards for providing mobile broadcasts are rising throughout the world. In Europe, a device known as the digital video broadcast-handheld has gained popularity. In Japan, analog mobile broadcasts have already been available for several years, with a separate digital standard pending. So far, mobile phone operators have been offering a small number of television channels to viewers. While full-length soap operas have been sent out to viewers via third-generation phone networks in Germany, other services are experimenting with shorter programs for people on the go. Cost is another factor which may alter public interest. Read more: www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/07/business/tv08.php

6. PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE CAPACITY, SPEED FOR BROADBAND WIRELESS NETWORKS
Two optoelectronic technologies have been created with the goal of increasing the capacity and speed of existing lines with fiber optic cables and to make the processing of radio frequency signals in wireless systems more efficient. For fiber optic networks, the LABELS project is developing a method to send data quicker using fewer resources, allowing for data to be transmitted and received over many wavelengths as opposed to the single bandwidth. The researchers' technique uses a telecommunication signal carrier that is transported on top of another so both can be moved at the same time. Read more: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/ir-oti080305.php

7. SPIN TORQUE THEORY MAY CREATE MICROWAVE OSCILLATIONS FOR WIRELESS DESIGNS
Scientists at the IMEC research center are attempting to validate the theory of spin torque in a nanoscale microwave integrated oscillator for wireless integrated devices, according to an article from Wireless Net Design Line. The scientists claim that the oscillator -- a nano-patterned ferromagnetic device -- could possibly generate optimum tunable microwave oscillations through a small DC current, but lacks the combination of high-quality resonance with a high integration level for power and cost efficiency. Read more: www.wirelessnetdesignline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=167100301

8. NEW DIODES HELP PAVE WAY FOR ALL-PLASTIC RFID TAGS
A way to create 50MHz polymer rectifier diodes for RFID tags has been discovered by researchers at the Interuniversity Microelectronics Center, Belgium, bringing the technology a step closer to all-plastic RFID tags. According to an article from ElectronicsWeekly.com, the researchers inserted a layer of polycrystalline pentacene, 150 nm thick, on gold with an aluminum top contact. They added a 20nm layer of polymer PEDOT:PSS to improve injection from the gold, which was limited by the aluminum contact. Results from the tests concluded that the diodes operated at 2,100A/cm2 with an estimated hole mobility of 0.152/Vs. Read more: www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=35958

9. PROCEEDINGS FROM CONSUMER COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE RELEASED
The latest research on networked consumer systems and devices is now available in the proceedings from the IEEE 2005 Consumer Communications and Networking Conference. Topics include ad-hoc and sensor networks, vehicle networks, multimedia technologies, pervasive computing, home automation, e-commerce, and virtual home environment. To purchase the complete proceedings of the conference from ShopIEEE, visit: shop.ieee.org/ieeestore/Product.aspx?product_no=EX954C
***IEEE members save up to 60% off the list price for conference proceedings titles***

10. FINANCIAL-PLANNING DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO U.S. IEEE MEMBERS
IEEE members in the United States can now receive discounts on a full suite of services from Grogan Financial Planning Services. The services provide a 25-percent discount on estate, life, retirement, insurance, and college financial plans. Other offers include a free portfolio review for members, as well as strategy development and implementation guidance to improve financial goals. To learn more, visit: www.efs529.com/ieeefinancial/intro.cfm

This is one of many benefits available to IEEE members through the IEEE Financial Advantage Plan. For full information, visit: www.ieee.org/fap

11. READING E-BOOKS ONE WORD AT A TIME
A new technology, "rapid serial visual presentation" (RSVP), may enable users of small-screen wireless devices like cell phones and PDAs to read large text files without having to scroll or press the forward button continually. RSVP displays text one word at a time, for a fraction of a second, on a phone or handheld screen. B.J. Fogg, head of research and design at Stanford's Persuasive Technology Lab, has launched a research project called BuddyBuzz, which lets mobile users read articles from the internet using RSVP. Using BuddyBuzz, Fogg claims he can read 700 words a minute. Mobile Magazine has more: www.mobilemagazine.com/archives/2005/07/tech_by_design_3.html

12. SEARCH ENGINES GET STREET SMART WITH MOBILE ACCESS
A new battle has been brought to the streets between search engines like Google and Yahoo and lesser-known 4Info, which is designed exclusively for mobile users, according to an article from Forbes.com. Although statistics indicate that most Americans prefer to use their cell phones for talking -- exchanging merely 37 billion text messages last year compared to Europe's 239 billion -- SMS (short messaging service) is attracting more and more Americans to conducting mobile searchers through their cell phones. Since 4Info began to take advantage of the demand for mobile search engine access, Google and Yahoo have decided to compete, each allowing texters to send messages of up to 160 characters to access information on anything from bank account balances to phone numbers and addresses. Read more: www.forbes.com/personaltech/2005/08/03/google-rimm-sms-cx_ww_0803search.html

13. "THE INSTITUTE" ASKS: IS USING A NEIGHBOR'S WI-FI ACCESS OKAY?
Millions of homes around the world have wireless networks that extend far enough beyond the premises that neighbors and even passersby can connect to these networks and surf the Internet for free. This month's issue of "The Institute," the IEEE member newspaper, asks: is there anything wrong with tapping into a neighbor's Wi-Fi network? www.theinstitute.ieee.org/portal/pages/tionline/legacy/inst2005/aug05/8w.marketplace.html

WHAT'S NEW @ IEEE IN WIRELESS is a monthly, opt-in e-mail update designed to provide you with the latest news regarding IEEE activities, industry trends, career development tips, and new IEEE product releases. We welcome your feedback on this service.

Managing Editor: John Platt j.platt@ieee.org
Contributing Editors: Julie Compton, Robert J. Howe, Brian Pedersen

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