08-08-2002, 10:13 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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The beauty of mesh networking
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020808.html
This is the first time I've heard of mesh networking, although the concept has certainly been kicking around for quite some time. This column by Robert X. Cringely is, as always, fascinating. It makes the geek blood within me boil over with excitement! Give it a read to understand why.
"More good news: XtremeSpectrum has started shipping samples of its UltraWideBand (UWB) chipset with full production slated for early next year. You'll recall I wrote several months ago about UWB, which is an unlicensed high speed data service that is purely digital with no analog components at all. This means that UWB -- unlike even WiFi -- can take full advantage of Moore's Law. Over time, just changing to new semiconductor manufacturing processes will make UWB faster, cheaper, and consuming less power. The XtremeSpectrum chip, which is the first UWB product to ship aimed at customers like you and me, carries 100 megabits-per-second for a distance up to 10 meters. Think of this as Bluetooth on steroids. Better still, think of it as the eventual Bluetooth killer.
UWB will do for home entertainment what WiFi is about to do for home computer networking. Computers are simple compared to wiring up your stereo system or home theater. When we talk about computer network cabling it means CAT5 and almost nothing else. But a look behind my AV receiver shows RCA plugs, optical plugs, DIN plugs, mini stereo plugs, and others that I can't even identify because they are hidden behind a tumbleweed of twisted speaker wire.
But UWB will change all that. Buy a new component, plug it in, and it will discover the rest of the entertainment network and simply install itself. Look behind your AV receiver and all you'll find is a powerstrip and surge protector. Of course this will take time. The XtremeSpectrum chip costs $19.95 in volume and you need one for each device, so it is still too expensive for true mass consumption. But then it takes time to design new components that have this capability. If Moore's Law holds true, three years from new UWB will be down to less than five dollars, and will be included in just about every device. The eventual elimination of all those plugs can save that much per device in reduced manufacturing cost alone."
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08-08-2002, 10:28 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 113
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yaaahh..Rrrrrrrightt
Sure..uh huh..they said the same about Bluetooth. Power it on and it will discover and linkup with anyother bluetooth unit in range.
I know several people still having problems getting bluetooth to work with the basic of basic things..such as a printer, pda and cell phone..
Its all about corporate greed. IF everyone agreed on a standard for protocols, the world of automated living would be much better.
CDMA vs TDMA vs GPRS vsGSM, USB , USB 2.0 vs IEEE 1394, Bluetooth vs 802.11 argggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
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08-08-2002, 11:24 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 31
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Robert X. Cringely is a pseudonym that has been used by numerous authors providing content for the industry gossip column in InfoWorld. One of them even wrote a book under that name although I believe he no longer worked for InfoWorld at the time.
The biggest problem with the concept of stereo components that automatically detect each other, configure themselves and work seamlessly with each other is the consumer electronics industry. They don't WANT you to mix and match. This is why Sony(s link), JVC (compu link) and every other major CE player has their own proprietary interface specification. Fifty years from now I'll glide over to my audio appliance (that broadcasts directly to my neural implants) on my antigravity couch and I'll look in back of the magnetically hovering cabinet and see: a mass of twisted cables and hairballs from my cats just like I do now. Unless the autonomous fur removal system is perfected by then in which case it will just be cables. Of course they could develop mutually uncompatible wireless specifications in which case I and everyone living within 30 meters of my stereo will have to come to an agreement on equipment brand. :twisted:
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08-08-2002, 11:45 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by grogma
Robert X. Cringely is a pseudonym that has been used by numerous authors providing content for the industry gossip column in InfoWorld. One of them even wrote a book under that name although I believe he no longer worked for InfoWorld at the time.
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This one is the REAL deal. ;-)
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/bobsworld.html
"On the Existence of Other Cringelys
Through a cruel twist of fate having to do with federal judges and unscrupulous lawyers there is, for the moment, more than one Robert X. Cringely. You are right now reading the one true Cringely, author, raconteur, TV personality, and pizza delivery specialist. The "other" Cringely writes a column on the back page of InfoWorld, a weekly PC trade rag. That Cringely is really a woman, while I am an agnostic. "
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08-09-2002, 05:28 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 31
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So he is, I want HIS job. Kind of like a benign, less whiny, Jerry Pournelle.
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Linear Mode
