The IEEE today announced that its Standards Board has ratified IEEE 802.15.3c-2009, Standard for Information Technology-Telecommunications and Information Exchange between systems-Local and Metropolitan networks-Specific requirements-Part 15.3: Wireless Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications for High Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs): Millimeter-wave based Alternative Physical Layer Extension Amendment.

The IEEE 802.15.3 standard defines how to design interoperable WPAN equipment that provides a variety of capabilities including a wide range of data rates, ad-hoc connectivity, video streaming, quality of service, reliability, and security.

The 203-page 802.15.3c amendment, using a 60 GigaHertz Millimeter-wave based Alternative Physical Layer Extension, enables rollout of the first IEEE 802 radios that deliver multi-gigabit throughput for consumer electronics and other applications while ensuring co-existence with legacy and future systems.

“This was an extraordinarily wide-ranging technical challenge that required a concentrated and sustained effort on the part of a variety of participants. When we started in 2005, many of the technologies addressed in 802.15.3c were university research topics and had not been implemented,” said Bob Heile, chair of the IEEE Wireless PAN Working Group. “The performance improvements achieved via IEEE 802.15.3c enables the use of wireless links for new and significant consumer applications. The ratification of this amendment sets the stage for a wave of innovation and the creation of new market opportunities.”

Added Paul Nikolich, IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee Chairman: “Everyone involved in the 802.15.3c process deserves congratulations. This is a key data communications milestone and a good example of the consensus building environment 802 provides for its participants. The amendment will enable a dramatic leap forward in WPAN performance.”

For further information on IEEE 802.15.3c, visit http://www.ieee802.org/15/pub/TG3c.html. To purchase documents, visit http://shop.ieee.org/.

About IEEE 802

The IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee develops LAN and metropolitan area network (MAN) standards. The most widely used standards are for the Ethernet family, Token Ring, Wireless LAN, Wireless PAN, Wireless MAN, Bridging and Virtual Bridged LANs. An individual working group provides the focus for each area. Decisions by the IEEE 802 task groups and working groups will shape communications for years to come. For more information about the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee, see http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/.

About the IEEE Standards Association

The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 400 standards under development. For information on the IEEE-SA, see: http://standards.ieee.org.

About the IEEE

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.), the world's largest technical professional society, is commemorating its 125th anniversary in 2009 by "Celebrating 125 Years of Engineering the Future" around the globe. Through its more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, IEEE is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement of technology, IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed over 900 active industry standards. The organization annually sponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide. Additional information about IEEE can be found at http://www.ieee.org.