The WAVE Report on Digital Media
3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space
---Published by 4th Wave, Inc.---
Issue #0354------------------03/11/04

 

The WAVE Report is Searchable on

http://www.3dlinks.com
http://www.wave-report.com

--------------------------------------

0354.1 Hot Topics

0354.2 Story of the Issue

0354.3 3D

0354.4 Wireless

0354.5 Wireless

0354.1 Hot Topics

*** Ricardo announces the new Version of WAVE Engine Simulation Software - WAVE v5.1
(March 8)

Ricardo has announced the release of WAVE v5.1, the new addition to its WAVE engine modeling package.

WAVE v5.1 builds on the WAVE v5 suite capabilities and offers additional functionality for modeling transient operation, control, co-simulation and fuel injection.

The new features of WAVE v5.1 allow users to:

-Perform transient vehicle analysis by using WAVE-generated look-up maps of engine performance. Data for the multi-dimensional look-up maps is generated "on-the-fly" and can be re-used in the same and subsequent simulations.

-Co-simulate WAVE with mechanical systems using a WAVE-VALDYN interface, providing interactive time-step coupled calculations between engine and valve train models.

-Model 2-phase fuel sprays and wall film evolution for gasoline engine performance by using the Discrete Droplet Model (based on Ricardo's 3D CFD modeling).

-Tune PID controllers using a built-in gain calibration tool.

http://www.ricardo.co.uk/portal.asp


*** QUALCOMM and TSMC Collaborate on 90nm Process for Wireless Applications
(March 9)

QUALCOMM Incorporated and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
Company Ltd. announced the 2004 delivery of QUALCOMM's first 90 nanometer Mobile Station Modem solutions using TSMC's 90nm process technology.

Production of QUALCOMM's products using TSMC's Nexsys 90nm process for wireless begins with the MSM6xxx family. In addition, the MSM7xxx family will be targeted to TSMC's 90nm process.

QUALCOMM's Mobile Station Modem family of chipsets supports third-generation and second-generation worldwide wireless standards, and support multimedia applications, including video, audio, graphics and enhanced 3D animation.

TSMC's Nexsys 90nm low-k technology for system-on-chip design features the full 90nm design system, including the portfolio of silicon-proven IP and libraries and the design flow that responds specifically to nanometer design challenges.

http://www.tsmc.com
http://www.qualcomm.com


*** Boeing Selects Quantum3D Independence for Republic of Korea F-15K Distributed Mission Training System
(March 10)

Quantum3D Inc announced that the Boeing Company has selected
Quantum3D Independence as the image generator (IG) solution for the F-15K Training System, which consists of a F-15K Weapon Systems Trainer and a Cockpit Procedures Trainer. The Training System is part of a contract recently awarded to Boeing by the Republic of Korea (ROK), in which the ROK will purchase 40 F-15K aircraft and associated equipment.

For each F-15K training system, Quantum3D will deliver two eleven-channel Independence IGs and spares to Boeing, which will be deployed to the ROK beginning in January 2005.

On the F-15K Training System program, Independence IG systems will be used to drive Out-the-Window (OTW) displays for both the Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer on the WST 360 degree full-field-of-view visual system and the single channel OTW display for the CPT. For the OTW displays, Boeing is employing its next generation Visual Integrated Display System.

http://www.quantum3d.com
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/q2/nr_020419m.html

0354.2 Story of the Issue

*** Net & Comm
By John N. Latta

February 4 - 6
Tokyo, Japan

Organized by Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. at the Nippon Convention center, Net & Comm 2004 is one of the biggest networking events in Japan. Now the highlights and the key presentations:

Linux surges in Japan:

There are two parts to the Linux story: enterprise and embedded. Here at NET&COM the use of Linux as embedded OS has risen significantly. It was estimated that its use in network appliances could be as high as 30%. Even more surprising is Linux in servers. The estimate we got from a Linux business group is:

UNIX – 60%
Windows – 20% - 30%
Linux – 20% - 30%

Which would put Linux rivaling Windows as a server OS. When asked why the response we got was:

Free
More Secure than Windows

NTT:

Here in Japan there is NTT – like the old AT&T. But on the local level there is NTT East and West – the separated companies. Yet, NTT has many forms which may be either loosely or tightly coupled to the mother ship:

NTT Data
NTT Soft
NTT DoCoMo
NTT Communications
NTT PC Communications

For example, NTT PC Communications is a long haul carrier but it can also sell directly to SOHOs, their target market. They have an InfoSphere product which runs on FTTH service, that is provided by NTT East and West called FLET’s. Thus, a consumer can deal directly with NTT PC Communications or with NTT West to get service. NTTPC Communications is also offering VoIP.

NTT Data already has a home security system and their research is on “Context Awareness Middleware.” The thought began – how can this be integrated with the care of the increasingly elderly population in Japan? Sony Aibo is used as an example of a robot in the home but the implementation would require much more. The scenario given to us, and shown in a top level demo, was the following.

In a home with one elderly person there would be at least one robot helper.

If there is a fire in the home the robot would go for help in the home and assist the elderly occupant.

The software would manage the context and actions of the robot and sensors in the home. Further, the software would also notify other family members not in the home.

When an inquiry is made on the elderly occupant that person could touch the robot in one of two spots. Blue for safe or Red for in trouble.

If for example, the individual fell a patrol robot would assist the network robot. One robot could assess the situation and call for help while the other stayed by.

The robot could take pictures and these could be transmitted on the network or sent to a Mobil phone (shown in the booth.)

PC and Security in Japan:

The show floor was at least 60% network security. At Networker’s last year, Cisco Fellow Fred Baker spoke of the tragedy of the commons and how this is applied to the Internet.

The tragedy of the commons is that everyone uses it, nobody owns it, and nobody is responsible to maintain it. The result is that any problem is someone else’s problem.

Yet, today we have “insurgents” on the Internet that are destroying its openness. No one is safe without a firewall. We all must have virus protection on every machine. Everyone needs a razor wire fence around their “PC homes.”

VoIP:

Japan has led in the world in VoIP deployment. However, this is with Yahoo BB voice and a part of their broadband offering. Calls are free between Yahoo BB users and the long distance service is less expensive.

Oki was promoting enterprise server that combined phone support with enterprise server functionality and Hitachi was presenting its’ SIP: Office phone system. The big draw was that it uses SIP. They were also showing the WIP-5000, a wireless IP phone that works over WLAN. When I asked does it do handoffs between APs the answer was no – something left to a future product. QoS is to be 802.11e compatible – when that is ready.

NTT PC Communications has a VoIP offering which is a box that costs 20,000 Yen. A phone then connects to this box. However, there is no portability to the box, such as what Vonage has. Software in the CO is required to make the NTT PC Communications service work.

FTTH – The Users are missing:

In one of the NTT booths I sought more information about broadband FTTH services. Japan is seen as a leader here. Yet, the subscriber numbers are low. Here are some data points:

There are only 894,000 B FLETs subscribers compared to 10.3m ADSL users. Apparently there are only 300,000 consumers using B FLETs.

The ISPs are struggling to find a use for B FLETs, whose rate can approach 100Mb/s. Two major differences with ADSL are that the upstream bandwidth is symmetrical and that a fixed IP address is assigned. This has value for the business user but questionable for the home user.

Some of the attempts to get more users include:
A soccer channel only available on this service with Japanese soccer games;
There is now Disney BB and Snoopy BB with broadband only content.

IBM Showcases Grid Computing:

IBM was showing a conceptual demo of the value of Grid computing. This example had a doctor in need of records across many hospitals. We probed – is this just a directory issue? In response IBM cited:

There is an Open Grid Service Architecture which makes for the sharing of both computational and data resources easier.

Standards efforts are being managed by the Global Grid Forum. This is relatively new and the industry including Intel, HP and Dell are behind this.

We subsequently found that HP has made statements that it will put Grid capabilities in its consumer products including PCs, PDAs and printers.

http://www.gridforum.org/

Polypix Shows Software to Make WinCE PDA into a WLAN Phone:

Polypix a Korean company has developed the WiFi Phone software that makes a PDA a WLAN phone. It supports SIP and H.323. This product is focused on the ISP and telephone operator market. Originally a sale was made to NTT ME but this collapsed when the service was not implemented. Now Samsung is to make a device which will be used by KT on their network and the hot spot service called NESPOT.

Wave Comments:

Japan is its own case: being developed, with an economy in the dumps and a culture that directly impacts life and the work environment. However, one just cannot use the ADSL attach rates or existence of FTTH as signs of a rosy broadband future.

The move to Linux was best put in one booth conversation bluntly – the state of the economy. A major factor behind Linux adoption is that it is “free.” Yet, such a movement can only happen when the IT staffs are experienced in Linux. Thus, as the expertise base increases there is more confidence in going with Linux. As one individual stated – the Linux movement is just gaining momentum here and it will be a major force in 2 – 3 years.

The combination of an event which has had a strong security focus and the concerns about IT security hit us in the face. There is a message here. While Japan prides itself with its homogenous society, predictability and safety, the Internet had the same expectations.

0354.3 3D

*** NXN to launch alienbrain Studio 7 at the Game Developers Conference in San Jose
(March 10)

NXN Software, which was acquired by Avid Technology, Inc. in January 2004, announced alienbrain Studio 7, the next-generation of its digital asset management software.

The new version will be on display in booth no. 423 at the Game Developers Conference in San Jose, California, on March 24-26.

Version 7 provides more than 40 new features including:

-Change set functionality allows users to unite all files that are associated with a single change request in one logical change set instead of making changes to the software product on individual files. Once all required modifications are completed, the change set is submitted to the server in an "atomic" transaction, either transferring all changes at once or not at all.

-Multi-threading support to leverage hardware resources and balance the workload in peak times.

-An integrated Reference Manager that provides an overview of
3D scenes and their related files directly in alienbrain Studio.

-A Windows Integration Framework that integrates third-party and proprietary tools into the alienbrain workflow.

-A Central Configuration Server that uses existing directory services, such as Windows NT domains or LDAP, to enable a single sign-on solution.

Scripts and batch procedures can now use 70 commands in the command-line client.

For customers that run their productions on multiple operating systems, alienbrain Studio 7 offers near feature parity of Mac OS X, Linux and Windows clients.

The new version is expected to be available in mid-April.

http://www.avid.com
http://www.nxn-software.com

0354.4 Wireless

*** Micro Linear to Demonstrate Interactive Digital Wireless Audio and Video at Wireless Systems Design Expo
(March 8)

Micro Linear Corporation will be demonstrating its wireless media solution in booth #118 at the Wireless Systems Design Expo in
San Diego with interactive full-motion video and audio as it is transmitted live over a radio link using one of the company's wireless transceivers

Micro Linear will also be showing several radio applications reference designs for at both 2.4GHz and 900MHz. The company's product; the ML5800 5.8GHz digital wireless transceiver, will also be on display.

All of Micro Linear's transceivers (ML5800 at 5.8GHz, ML2724 at 2.4GHz, and ML2722 at 900MHz) provide the circuitry to transmit, receive, and frequency synthesis in a single surface mount package. All of these devices are programmable over a serial interface by a microcontroller or application-specific baseband processor.

http://www.microlinear.com

0354.5 Wireless

*** CERTEL, Brazilian Electric Utility, to deploy
Alvarion Wireless DSL solution
(March 10)

Alvarion Ltd. announced that CERTEL (Regional Electrification Cooperative of Teutônia Ltda.), an electric utility in Brazil’s Vale do Taquari region, has begun deploying Alvarion’s BreezeACCESS™ Wireless DSL solution in Lajeado and surrounding cities. Using Alvarion’s network, CERTEL will provide high-speed Internet access and Voice over IP services utilizing the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency bands to its business and commercial customers.

http://www.certel.com.br
http://www.alvarion.com

--------------------------------------

Copyright 2005 4th WAVE, Inc.

To subscribe to WAVE go to

http://www.wave-report.com

To unsubscribe also use the Wave Report Home page or send the preformatted UNSUBSCRIBE message:

List Management - Unsubscribe

Previous issues of WAVE, as well as other info can be found at

http://www.wave-report.com
http://www.3dlinks.com

Comments on or questions about the WAVE may be sent to:

Fourthwave Staff

or the below individuals below:

John N. Latta - Editor-In-Chief

Michael Robertson - Web Editor

The WAVE Report may be redistributed in full for individual readership and posted to newsgroups, Web, and FTP sites. This publication may not be reprinted or redistributed for profit. Short quotes are permitted but must be attributed to the WAVE Report. 4th Wave retains the copyright to the WAVE Report.