SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 20 Dec. 2007. The market for ultra wideband (UWB) silicon is beginning to take off in 2007, reports market researcher In-Stat in Scottsdale, Ariz. Though regulatory hurdles over UWB still persist worldwide, the first UWB-enabled notebook PCs have shipped this year from Dell, Lenovo, and Toshiba, the firm says.

"The primary question for UWB now is: will other product segments follow where PCs lead?" says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst. "UWB is a very flexible technology in that it supports multiple standards, including WUSB, Bluetooth 3.0, IP over UWB, and video over UWB. This should enable the technology to gain design wins in a wide range of product segments, including PC peripherals, consumer electronics, and mobile phones."

UWB-enabled notebook PCs hit the market in mid-2007, and PC peripherals will follow in 2008, In-Stat researchers say. In addition, consumer electronics and communications applications with UWB will not hit the market in volume until 2010. By 2011, more than 400 million UWB-enabled devices will ship.

The research, "ultra wideband 2007: PCs Hit The Global Market" (#IN0703753MI), covers the worldwide market for ultra wideband. It contains analysis and annual shipment forecasts through 2011 for the penetration of UWB into 26 separate applications in PC, PC peripheral, consumer electronics, communications, and industrial/medical.

For more information contact In-Stat online at www.instat.com.