Janak Parekh
10-05-2006, 10:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5382086.stm' target='_blank'>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5382086.stm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The problem of compatibility between wireless devices is being addressed at an international conference this week. Scientists will be discussing what has been dubbed 'Tower of Babel' technology - software that can converge different wireless gadgets into a single device. The aim for Software Defined Radio (SDR) is to be able to translate and understand any kind of radio wave signal, such as 3G or wi-fi. Researchers say SDR gadgets could become commonplace in five to 10 years."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20061004-SoftwareRadio.jpg" /><br /><br />To me, this is the <b>true</b> holy grail: a software radio that may, one day, support competing 3G standards <i>and</i> WiFi <i>and</i> support future protocols via something as simple as a firmware update. (Well, I may have to settle without the future protocol aspect; I'm guessing that if carriers ever carry SDR-enabled devices, they'll want to ensure the devices aren't that upgradeable, as they make a decent amount of money on the sale of a new device. Still, this would be exciting and could usher in a new era of wireless devices -- and more rapid releases across different technologies.)