The Multi-band OFDM Alliance Special Interest Group (MBOA- SIG) t...

The group, supported by Intel and Texas Instruments, among other high-tech players, is promoting one of the 2 leading UWB technologies. “MB-OFDM, more than any other UWB modulation scheme, has inherent spectral shaping capabilities to mitigate unforeseen interference situations,” the group said. Granting the waiver will “level the UWB playing field” and “permit consumers, rather than Commission rules” to decide winners and losers. The group took dead aim at its main competitor, Freescale, formerly a Motorola division. “Freescale’s objections are baseless,” the alliance said. “Although they purport to be grounded in Freescale’s own, lengthy technical study, they are wildly off the mark. Indeed, they appear to be designed solely to ‘muddy’ the technical record in this proceeding and delay Commission action.” The Alliance accused Freescale of trying to ensure a “first to market advantage.” Robert Aiello, CEO of Staccato Communications, another member of the group, told us Fri. he hoped the FCC would move the issue “to the marketplace where it belongs, not the regulatory arena… We recognize this is a new wave form that wasn’t anticipated by the rules. We have proven conclusively that this wave form doesn’t interfere more than other waveforms approved under the rules.” Freescale had its own spin, arguing MBOA’s rationale for the waiver and its noninterference claims “fail under close examination.” Freescale said what MBOA has requested isn’t a matter of providing a level playing field. “Far from giving MB-OFDM parity with other forms of UWB, the waiver would instead bestow on MB-OFDM a unique regulatory benefit,” Freescale said.