As mobile communications and handheld computing devices continue to be developed and hit the market, consumers are able to enjoy the ease of use and powerful new functions that these devices employ.  This has created a growing demand for short-range wireless networks.  Such networks allow users to easily share information with others as well as transfer data quickly between various digital peripherals. 

PDA (Personal Data Assistant) users are quite familiar with the concept of “beaming” data or applications from one device to another.  Today’s wireless technologies expand this idea into a much larger arena. With the latest developments in wireless frequency-based communications, now it is possible to communicate through walls to any number of appliances, such as stereo speakers, security systems, televisions, or even sprinkler systems. This technology, called RF (Radio Frequency), Bluetooth for example, has drastically changed the way we will communicate and transfer information in the future.

Other applications for wireless technologies involve communication of one portable device to another or the management of multiple portable devices with a common computer system. Examples of this would be to point a PDA or digital camera at a printer and your information is printed; another is to synchronize a PDA’s data with your PC without having to plug in a cable or cradle. Where RF technology may handle these wireless transfers of information in the future, today a point-to-point or line-of-sight system is a much better solution. Today’s standard line-of-sight wireless technology is called infrared.

The IrDA (Infrared Data Association) has defined the standard as a wireless communication link between two devices in which the information is transmitted using infrared light.  IrDA technology has emerged as one of the most promising wireless solutions because it offers several compelling advantages over other types of wireless communication interfaces.  Although infrared is only applicable between two devices at a time and cannot transmit through walls, the positive aspects of this technology are many.

Infrared solutions are cheap.  An electronic device manufacturer can integrate an IrDA port into their product for as little as two dollars, allowing infrared ports to appear in almost any digital device.

Infrared communications are secure. Because infrared can only communicate from one device to another and because this communication must be line-of-sight, there is no risk that someone may intentionally or unintentionally obtain your information as it is being transferred. Today’s RF technologies are actually broadcast over a much larger area, through walls, and even out into the street, making anyone within that area a possible recipient of the potentially private information.

Infrared data transfers are fast. At 4 Mbits per second, compared to 1 Mbit per second for competing RF technologies, the transfer of digital music, photos, books, and other files to and from MP3 players, cell phones, PDAs and cameras is made into a much easier and more enjoyable task.

Infrared is a proven technology. IrDA infrared ports have been around and have been shipping since 1997. Numerous manufacturers have adopted IrDA because it is the most mature of the wireless communications standards, with an estimated 255 million infrared-enabled devices shipping in 2001. These devices include cell phones, pagers, laptops, PDAs, digital cameras, handheld scanners, and laser printers. The IrDA standard has both support and user applications in all major operating systems including all recent versions of Windows OS, Linux, as well as the Palm OS.

Until now, the limiting factor of infrared communications was in its ability to communicate directly with a desktop PC system. Where should the infrared window be placed so all portable devices can easily connect when needed? Many users today place their PCs CPU under their desk or within a closed cabinet, thus limiting any kind of line-of-sight communications. Today there is a solution that will open the door to many more uses for infrared technologies: the SigmaTel USB-to-Ir bridge.

SigmaTel, a leading provider of mixed-signal semiconductor products, has a USB-to-infrared bridge product that enables a diverse range of electronic devices to share reliable, high-speed communication over short distances. This device has been built into a “dongle,” and plugs directly into the USB port of a PC. It then can be placed anywhere on the desktop that is accessible to your infrared-enabled devices. With this device, there is only one interface for all infrared-enabled appliances, removing the need for multiple cables and cradles. The SigmaTel USB/IrDA Bridge solution is the basic building block that provides sufficient bandwidth for an entire range of emerging wireless applications both in and out of the home.

SigmaTel, a provider of integrated circuit (IC) design, is converting the real world into a digital experience with its innovative mixed-signal solutions for the digital consumer audio and wireless infrared markets. Since its inception, SigmaTel has built a strong reputation as an innovative developer of mixed-signal ICs, by being first to market with several highly integrated designs. The privately held company is committed to providing customers with high performance products along with superior customer service and is based in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit SigmaTel's Web site at www.sigmatel.com.