Wireless LAN Interoperability Forum Membership Grows to Further Interoperability of Wireless LAN Standards
CHICAGO — September 14, 1998 — IDWare, MaxTech, NEC and Sharp Join Other WLIF Members Utilizing OpenAir; IEEE 802.11 Wireless Standards to Increase Functionality of Mobile Products
Further promoting interoperable products and services to customers through today's leading wireless local area networking (LAN) standards, the Wireless LAN Interoperability Forum (WLIF) today at Scan-Tech '98 announced that membership has increased to 22 OEMs and wireless solutions providers implementing both the OpenAir(TM) and IEEE 802.11 standards.
Most recently, IDWare – Mobile Computing & Communications, MaxTech Corporation, NEC Computer Systems Division, and Sharp Electronics Corporation have joined the forum.
The WLIF is the industry's only established organization focused solely on the growth of the wireless LAN industry by delivering interoperable solutions.
The forum currently delivers the broadest range of interoperable products via the OpenAir standard, established in 1996. And it is actively working toward developing interoperability for the 802.11 standard, around which many members are building products.
Through WLIF membership, companies' mobile computers and portable devices are eligible for certification to the OpenAir standard to interoperate with more than 35 members' products. The WLIF is also leading independent efforts to develop certification for members' 802.11 products to promote interoperability and foster industry growth.
"We are excited to welcome these top-notch companies to the WLIF, and we look forward to continued certification of members' products to the OpenAir standard. We also anticipate increased membership of companies utilizing 802.11 and the continued development of its interoperability through members' unified efforts," said WLIF Chairman Mike Jones of Intermec Technologies Corporation.
"The WLIF's continuous addition of companies utilizing various wireless LAN standards further solidifies the industry's commitment to an organization promoting all open standards, and demonstrates the industry's continued need for truly interoperable products."
About the New WLIF Members
IDWare is a leading European manufacturer of portable data terminals. MaxTech designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of data communication, connectivity and PC products for distribution and retail markets. NEC is a leading manufacturer of computer products and solutions, and is the third largest PC vendor in the United States.
Sharp is a world-leading manufacturer of electronics equipment, and is the world's leading liquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturer. More information about these new members can be found on the WLIF website at www.wlif.com, or from the respective companies' websites: IDWare (www.idware.com), MaxTech (www.maxtech.com), NEC (www.nec-computers.com), and Sharp (www.sharp-usa.com).
About OpenAir
The WLIF established OpenAir as an interoperable wireless LAN standard in 1996, and the standard is available to any company that joins the forum. OpenAir includes the physical (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer information required to achieve interoperability, and continues to be the most widely accepted and only true interoperable standard today.
OpenAir operates in the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) frequency band and utilizes frequency hopping spread spectrum frequency technology, which is both highly secure and exceptionally immune to interference.
The standard is designed to provide the industry's products with the best combination of features for mobile wireless LAN applications, including high speed, long range, low power consumption, network scalability and advanced network management.
OpenAir and all products utilizing its technology are certified interoperable by an independent test lab, XXCAL Testing Laboratories in Los Angeles.
About IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 was first conceived in 1990 and ratified as a standard by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1997. 802.11 defines three PHY characteristics for wireless LANs — diffused infrared, and direct sequence and frequency hopping spread spectrum, the latter two networks operating at the 2.4 GHz band.
The standard supports 1- and 2-Mbps data rates, and work is underway with the IEEE 802.11 Working Group for higher speed standards in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. These new standards are expected to be completed in late 1999.
The IEEE 802.11 Working Group has no provision for interoperability testing and certification of 802.11-based products, so the WLIF has proactively started to address this important customer issue in its work with the University of New Hampshire and XXCAL.
About the Wireless LAN Interoperability Forum
The WLIF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 to promote the growth of the wireless LAN industry by delivering interoperable products and services at all levels of the value chain. The WLIF actively supports the development of all standards that foster interoperability and industry growth.
Currently, the WLIF is providing the OpenAir specification that allows independent parties to develop compatible products. To ensure interoperability, the WLIF has defined a clear method of testing and labeling OpenAir-certified products through the national independent test lab XXCAL Testing Laboratories.
The WLIF supports further work toward interoperability development of the IEEE 802.11 standard, and the forum and many of its members are either currently or plan to deliver 802.11-compatible products. For more information, see www.wlif.com.
Membership is open to all companies that develop, manufacture or sell open specification-compatible wireless LAN products, or plan to do so. For more information about membership, call Mike Jones at 425/348-2681.
WLIF members include AMP, Citadel, Cruise Technologies, Data General, Fujitsu Personal Systems, Hand Held Products, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, IDWare, Intermec, Kansai, Kinetic Computer, LXE, MaxTech, Mitsubishi Electronics America, Monarch Marketing Systems, Motorola, NEC-CSD, Percon, Proxim, Sharp, and Telos.
Note to Editors: All company and product brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies
Scan-Tech '98, WLIF Booth No. 1629
CONTACT:
Intermec Technologies Corporation
Mike Jones, 425/348-2681
[email protected]