The WAVE Report on Digital Media
3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space
---Published by 4th Wave, Inc.---
Issue #0339------------------11/25/03

 

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0339.1 Hot Topics

0339.2 Story of the Issue

0339.3 DSL

0339.4 Wireless LAN Security

339.5 Semiconductors

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0339.1 Hot Topics

*** Netopia to Showcase 3-D Reach Technology at Wi-Fi Planet
(November 24)

Netopia, Inc., a company in broadband equipment, software and services, today announced that it will be exhibiting its 3-D Reach Wi-Fi technology and deploying a free 3-D Reach hot spot for all visitors to use at the Wi-Fi Planet Conference & Expo Dec. 3 - 5, 2003. The expo is located at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Netopia will be exhibiting in booth #428.

Netopia will demonstrate its complete line of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED gateways utilizing 3-D Reach technology to deliver improved wireless range, coverage and performance. Visitors to Netopia's booth are invited to experience the 3-D Reach technology firsthand with Netopia's complimentary hot spot service. Wi-Fi Planet attendees can pick up their free 3-D Reach hot spot pass to access the Internet at Netopia's booth, as well as register to win either a Netopia 3347W Wi-Fi ADSL Gateway or a Netopia 3387W Wi-Fi Ethernet Gateway in a daily giveaway. For carriers and service providers interested in delivering hot spot services to this market, Netopia will be demonstrating its turnkey "Hot Spot in a Box" solution.

About Netopia's 3-D Reach Technology

Netopia's 3-D Reach technology, incorporated today in the Netopia 3347W Wi-Fi ADSL Gateway and the Netopia 3387W Wi-Fi Ethernet Gateway, delivers wireless range, coverage and performance, while still using standards-based 802.11 technology for interoperability. Netopia's Wi-Fi CERTIFIED gateways can also be deployed in Wi-Fi hotspot implementations. Netopia 3-D Reach utilizes on-board wireless components for wireless receiver sensitivity and performance, dual-tuned antennas for wireless range and coverage, and shielding and power management for ADSL broadband performance.

http://www.netopia.com.


***SIP Forum Names Jay Batson New Chairman
(November 24)

Jay Batson, chairman and founder of Pingtel Inc., and an executive in IP voice, has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the SIP Forum. Jay Batson established Pingtel with Rich Schaaf 1998 to provide IP telephony using industry standards and an open architecture. As chairman, he continues to provide expertise in technology direction, product development and corporate marketing.

The SIP Forum will be represented at trade shows and industry events throughout 2004, as well as sponsoring interoperability activities, such as the SIPit events and its own SIP phone testing service. The SIP Forum also will do a special outreach to service providers, the mobile industry, large enterprises and those in the Asia-Pacific region.

The SIP Forum also announced that Eric Burger, chief technology officer, SnowShore Networks Inc., has joined the organization's board of directors. With 10 patents pending, Burger is active in the IETF, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.) and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

About the SIP Forum
The SIP Forum is an industry association whose mission is to advance the adoption of products and services based on the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP. The forum provides information on the benefits and capabilities of SIP, highlights successful applications and deployments, and directs activities aimed at achieving high levels of product interoperability.

About SIP
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the international organization responsible for all the basic Web protocols such as HTTP and the mail protocol SMTP, developed SIP. It is part of the newest generation of communication protocols, those that tie together the telecom and Internet worlds.

http://www.sipforum.org/

***Jungo and SurfControl Introduce CPE-Based Web Filtering Software
(November 25)

Jungo Software Technologies, Inc., a provider of residential and SOHO gateway software, and SurfControl, a Web and e-mail filtering company, announced the introduction of a Web filtering software solution for residential and SOHO gateways. The new solution integrates SurfControl's Web filtering technology with Jungo's OpenRG residential gateway software to create a new services platform for broadband customer premise equipment (CPE).

By allowing SurfControl's database to communicate with Jungo's OpenRG software deployed in residential and SOHO gateways, both companies are able to offer customer premise equipment (CPE) vendors and service providers a Web filtering service, specifically designed for home and SOHO users.

A report by In-Stat/MDR published in October 2003, highlights the growth of the Broadband CPE Big Three Market - Residential Gateway, Modem & SOHO Router. In terms of the Residential Gateway Market, revenue is predicted to increase from US$338 million in 2003 to US$1.4 billion by 2007, showing a CAGR of 33 per cent over the four years.

The Jungo-SurfControl solution is available immediately for trial and can be remotely uploaded to a range of broadband access devices, which are already deployed and powered by Jungo's OpenRG software. These devices include cable and DSL modems, wireless access points, stand-alone gateways and integrated access devices.

http://www.jungo.com/
http://www.surfcontrol.com/

0339.2 Story of the Issue

***CeBIT Asia 2003
By John Latta

September 18-21
Shanghai, China

This was the third year for this event, an Asian extension of the CeBIT event held annually in Germany, and it was our third year covering it. Since last year, this conference has shrunk from 4 halls to only 2. CeBIT Asia is down from last year--the conference organizers claim that the PRC dictate to close all show venues up until July, due to SARS, made it very difficult to implement the show.

This CeBIT Asia was quite different from the previous two. The quality of many of the exhibits has risen significantly. New here was Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba. This significantly changed the character of the event. The largest booth was by Epson, but Samsung's booth was also quite large. There were many more Chinese companies present. Yet, noticeable in its absence was Intel, which had a strong booth last year. If one just scanned the floor it increasingly looked like a consumer electronics event. Yet, recall that the CEA had set up a joint event here for consumer electronics with the organizers of CeBIT. Curiously there was no mention of a future occurrence of this here. Last year there was a conference program largely put on by Gartner and this year there was nothing like that. However, the iF Design Show, similar to what is present in the fair ground in Hannover, had a presence and it included design awards in the opening ceremonies.

CeBIT Asia has yet to find its position. The organizers continue to place this as an ITC, IT + Communications, event just like CeBIT. Yet, there are many other better communications events here in China, such as PT Wireless & Networks Comm China, which would undermine this claimed role. The asymmetry between big Japanese companies with well-done booths and Chinese companies with small booths is very evident. For this show to be a success it will need both. With SARS still hanging over the ability to execute on a show of this intent it remains to be seen if it finds a stable position from which to grow. The venue appears to have found its place in China and we expect that there will be many more events in the technology areas staged here.

QRIO Steals the Show

QRIO is a small humanoid robot from Sony. It first surfaced at CES 2003 and it was real at CeBIT Asia. Even CNN came to report on QRIO. It is very impressive technology. QRIO makes Aibo, Sony's robotic dog, look like a toy. Sony has made significant strides with QRIO, its stand-up robot, and these include:
Ability to recognize and understand spoken sentences;
Space perception capability, which uses vision and hearing;
Real time body control for stable biped walking, even on inclined and irregular terrain;
Real-time whole body stabilized motion control including the ability to play with rolling balls;
Fall-over motion control to recover from the loss of balance;
Imaging with two 110,000 element CCDs;
7 microphones;
Sensor suite that includes:
Infrared distance
Acceleration
Angular rate
Foot
Thermo
Touch
Pitch
Grip
64 bit RISC processor with 64MB and Aperios OS.

QRIO stands 22" and has its own docking station - a robot seat.

On the second day, Sony expanded the demonstration of QRIO in the booth. This included:

Playing a game with a ball that included following it around after kicking it.
This showed complex behaviors that included seeing the ball both at reasonably long distance and close to the foot.
Walking to approach the ball.
Being able to kick the ball with one foot.

Laying down recovery to an erect position.
QRIO actually fell once and with assistance was able to erect itself.
A demonstration sequence was shown several times where QRIO went to a prone position and then stood up.

Demonstration of sight
ORIO was equipped with a wireless transmitter on its back that took an image from its eyes and showed this on the screens around the booth.

These activities brought a new level of insight into the complexity of QRIO. Not only did this include the impressive mechanical design and packaging but also the control software. One can stand in awe of what was accomplished…but it is easy to see the shortcomings. The problem is that one expects QRIO to mimic human functions, and anything less is unacceptable. When QRIO fell, its handler sought to show how it rose to the occasion, but this did not happen. Only with coaxing, including multiple "resets" and some mechanical help, did it rise again. The scripted lay down and get up sequence, which was part of the ball kicking demonstration, went without a problem.

One has high expectations to see the robot accomplish the unusual, which we see happening to us every day. An example is how we recover from a trip or stumble. Yet, it is these irregular events, in a robot, that make the software much more complex. By watching QRIO it was obvious that more needs to be done in the software. This is not ready for prime time--against "human qualities" judgment criteria. However, in no way should this detract from the very impressive accomplishment of QRIO. As an engineer I can stand for hours just watching it and marvel at what has been accomplished.

Sony

In a booth next to Samsung, its archrival here in China, Sony was putting on a very impressive show. Other than QRIO, we had seen most of the technology before. Yet, the booth had multiple themes and resonated well with the Chinese audience. It was all about things that they can buy, except QRIO. In the brochure it was stated this is not for sale. High points from the Sony booth include.

Video Conferencing
The set-up implied this was for home use but the brochure illustrated business application. There was a Data Solution Box, which is an integrator between Audio, Projector and PCs. Two implementations were described: ISDN and Internet based with VPN. The video conferencing device with the camera,PCS-1P, connected directly to the Internet.

Personal Entertainment Organizer
This looked similar to a small Tablet PC. The screen could either face a keyboard or be rotated for stylist input. This was the first time we saw this product.

Aibo
This continues to draw crowds - it is emotive. It was very interesting to see how many individuals pet the product. There is no other technology like this.

Net MD Walkmans
These are networked Walkmans. There were multiple ones connected via USB and to a notebook.

QRIO Demo
Every hour there was a demo of 4 QRIOs showing off their capabilities. It drew the largest crowd of the show. They acted in unison or independently. There was limited walking and some dancing. Most of the movement was upper body. In spite of these limitations the robot is most impressive. The brochure stated clearly "Not for Sale." Mechanically QRIO appeared very solid but we suspected that the software is a real challenge.

Wany Robotics - Low Cost Robotic Technology for Toys

Tucked away in a corner booth was Wany Robotics. This is at the other end of the market from Sony's QRIO. Wany Robotics provides software for three target markets: mobile Web cams, cleaning appliances and toys. In the booth was a $25 toy that used robotics to navigate as it moves on the ground. The goal of Wany Robotics is to make robotic technology available in consumer devices with prices that are close to existing non-robotic devices.

The WAVE Report spoke at length with Michael Modjeska, Manager, Marketing and Communications about how Wany Robotics technology compares with Sony. His response was that while Sony shows impressive technology, Wany provides robotics technology that can be used in high-volume consumer products.

In the booth was Little Escaping Alien by the SEI of the CideToys group. This $25 toy uses obstacle avoidance technology with an IR sensor to make random but non-collision movements around a room. The movements are also determined by the child's tapping the top of the toy as it moves. Targeted to the 2 - 4 year old market segment this is an example of how Wany Robotics technology seeks to get to market.

Another toy product was a radio controlled battle unit by Zaptoys - the AI tank. This targets the video gamers but uses a remotely controlled toy via an IR handset. Two battle units can compete, both controlled by individuals, or one can operate in artificial intelligence mode to compete with a single player, allowing a two-tank game with only one person running a tank. Wany Robotics designed the infrared system, the electronics and the artificial intelligence software. It is expected that this toy will be shown at the 2004 Toy show in New York.

Another product recently announced is a robot vacuum cleaner. It is claimed that this will reach market in early 2004 and set a new low price points for this class of appliances - $500. Not only will the appliance do autonomous cleaning but also will seek out and find its recharging station when the batteries are low.

Wany Robotics's business model is based on engineering fees for assisting in the design of products and then a royalty stream from the products themselves. Thus, the company not only works to provide the reference design but the software behind the ability of the devices or products to use robotics.

Some of the key technology they claim includes:

Patented means to use IR sensors for navigation;
AI technology for learning and human interaction; and
Vision processing.

In the booth was a moving robotic vehicle that attracted considerable attention. This is the foundation for the $6,000 SDK, the Wany Robotics Pekee development platform. There is also a 3D robot simulation environment, which enables applications to be written and tested.

In conversations with Michael he stressed that Sony has impressive technology but the success of robotics today will not come from expensive robots that have no functionality, such as QRIO, but from devices that can be used everyday for something that is important in the home. This market is at its earliest state and raising the public visibility, such as what Sony is doing, is good. Yet, as products get more sophisticated he sees Wany Robotics moving to its own OS to control the robotic products it enables. This is consistent with the path that Sony is also moving but for its own proprietary uses. Wany Robotics is hoping that its technology will be the foundation for many products by many companies and thus be the basis for making robotics widespread.

Broadband

There were a few broadband and networking products. In booth conversations home networking is very early in the Mainland China market. Here is what the WAVE Report found.

Lectron
This Taiwanese company was showing its Integrated Access Device. This includes:
4 port 10/100BaseT Switch
ADSL Modem
802.11b
ATM Support
Bridging
Security - VPN and Firewall
IP routing
DHCP Server
DNS Relay
Management via telenet or SNMP
PPP
VoIP including SIP and H.323

The price is $100 FOB.

Surecom Technology
Another Taiwanese company was showing its NE-9610SX-g 802.11g 54M Wireless LAN Broadband Router. Its capabilities included:
802.11g
802.1x and WEP encryption
4-port 10/100BaseT switch
DHCP Server
RIP I and II Static Routing
Intruder event log by packet inspection
Web Based management
DMZ Host
VPN
Firewall
Telenet management

The price is $74 FOB.

WAVE Comments

One would hardly have expected that CeBIT Asia would be the place where new mass-market robotics would surface. Yet, in the span of only a few feet of each other, both Sony and Wany Robotics were showing how robotics could capture the interest of the public. Each showed a very different side to the market. Sony's was impressive technology, while Wany's was robotics applications to the mass market including toys. It remains to be seen how much traction each gets. We could well be at the entry to an era where robotics does something directly useful for consumers. If that is the case an important shift in the market will have begun.

We have to agree with Wany Robotics, that the key to the use of their technology is the price of the end product. History has shown that expensive toys have short lifetimes, and only when toys are aligned with traditional toy pricing is there is chance for enduring success. What Wany Robotics has done is to take this price sensitivity as the foundation of its entry to market. Good move.

Yet, QRIO is impressive. It may not do anything practical but I spent several hours over the course of this exhibition just watching it. The integration of technology and software was mesmerizing. It is easy to point fingers at the inability to get up from one fall, but this is immaterial in the context of what QRIO accomplishes.

There is an on going market battle between Samsung and Sony for market brand positioning, with Samsung holding a strong position, in some age groups more than Sony. The Samsung booth was very much like last year's and showed a wide range of Samsung products. There were no blockbusters. Sony trumped Samsung here with what Sony does best--cool products and technology. This was all the more embarrassing to Samsung when with their two-story booth they could look down at the crowds which flocked to see QRIO demonstrations.

CeBIT Asia has been radically different each of the three times we have come. It remains to be seen if this venue finds a stable ground from which to grow. This year was marked by a significant increase in the presence of Japanese companies. It looked more like a CE show and not the ICT show the CeBIT organizers claim. What will it look like next year is an open issue.


0339.3 DSL

***Nortel Networks Introduces Usage-Based Internet Access Solution Using Shasta 5000 BSN
(November 24)

Nortel Networks introduced a Usage-Based Internet Access solution is intended to enable service providers to expand and accelerate customer adoption of broadband services through new service models.

Based on Nortel Networks Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node (BSN), this solution positions service providers to offer pre-paid Internet access, giving residential and business customers a choice between unlimited access at a fixed price and flexibly priced access based on time and bandwidth used. It also allows those customers to choose their own service levels in real time.
Nortel Networks stated that Usage-Based Internet Access solution will allow service providers to attract a larger base of Internet users to broadband via low entry-cost service models, rather than simply discounting existing broadband pricing.

Using Shasta 5000 BSN and a customizable personal content portal based on Shasta NetRIO Service Management Center (SMC), subscribers are able to choose their own access bandwidth, view daily updates of service use and control Internet access in real time. This solution provides the flexibility to upgrade to other access packages for more bandwidth and hours or switch to unlimited service. Once pre-paid service is used, customers can automatically be directed to the service portal to select a new service package. Through IP (Internet Protocol) traffic shaping and policing, service providers can guarantee the subscriber's selected Internet access bandwidth on a per-session basis. The solution also offers service providers a portal platform from which additional, on-demand services like firewalls, VPN (Virtual Private Network) access, and content management can be launched.

Nortel Networks Shasta 5000 BSN is intended to enable service providers to transition from the simple connectivity model enabled by first generation subscriber management systems to broadband services model. Shasta 5000 BSN supports wholesale dial, digital subscriber line (DSL), fixed and mobile wireless, metro optical and Ethernet extension, ATM, frame relay and leased-line subscribers.

http://www.nortelnetworks.com.

0339.4 Wireless LAN Security

***Interlink Networks and Trapeze Networks Partner to strengthen Wireless LAN Security
(November 25)

Interlink Networks, developer of network security and access control software, announced its partnership with Trapeze Networks, provider of wireless LAN systems, to address market requirements for secure wireless mobility and Identity-Based Networking.

Trapeze Networks' Mobility System and Interlink Networks' standards-based, WPA-compliant authentication servers, work on the safety and security of the information on IT Corporates' 802.11 WLANs .

Recognized for its RADIUS-based software, Interlink Networks solutions complement the Trapeze Mobility System with an additional layer of WLAN security and management by 802.1X authentication to verify user identities and block intruder access to corporate information resources.

The 802.1X-based architecture addresses security, scalability, and permits authenticated users to seamlessly roam throughout the wireless architecture without re-authenticating each time they associate with a new wireless access point.

The user's connection, IP session, and authentication information are preserved - which is an important consideration for time-sensitive applications like VoIP. In addition, for organizations that support access control restrictions based on VLANs, individual VLAN associations may be established and maintained as they roam.

Interlink Networks' Secure.XS provides RADIUS-based authentication, an essential part of 802.1X architecture specified in the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) standard for secure wireless networking. Secure.XS is interoperable with directory servers and supports a range of EAP authentication types, including Cisco LEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and EAP-PEAP.

Trapeze Networks Mobility System includes the Mobility Exchange, Mobility Points, Mobility System Software and the RingMaster software tool suite. Interlink Networks Secure.XS authentication servers and Trapeze Networks WLAN Mobility System combined deliver secure user mobility for the enterprise.

http://www.trapezenetworks.com
http://www.interlinknetworks.com

0339.5 Semiconductors

***OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Launches SFH2430 Ambient Light Sensor
(November 25)

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors recently announced the launch of OSRAM SFH2430 ambient light sensor. Specially developed for the automotive sector, this sensor is close to the spectral sensitivity of the human eye and offers the required thermal stability.

Providing an approximation of ambient lighting conditions with little variation due to temperature, the OSRAM SFH2430 focuses on the issues related to light sensing applications. Within the automotive sector the applications are headlight control and dashboard backlighting, so instruments can be seen as clearly as possible in different lighting conditions. The sensor is suitable for all standard surface mounted technology (SMT) soldering processes.

The OSRAM SFH2430 light sensor boasts a sensitive area of 3X3 mm and utilizes standard industry protocols (i.e., Sensitivity IP = 10microA @100Lx, a Sensitivity variation that is +/ -15%, and an overall Temp Coefficient of 0.16% / K).

A silicon photo-diode with a linear characteristic in which only a small dark current flows and the distorting effect of infra-red is greatly suppressed, the OSRAM SFH2430 ambient light sensor is designed to provide a good signal-to-noise ratio, reduced photo-current temperature dependence, and the ability to detect impending darkness.

http://www.osram-os.com

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