In the last few years, technical advancements allowed the communication world to adopt the idea of “wireless everywhere.” As of late, this idea translates to various flavors of wireless computer networks and in turn wireless Internet. Instead of building on the current wireless technology standards, which were originally designed for data transmission, BE LABS worked from the ground up to build a system that caters specifically to fulfilling the need for a broadcast-quality video system.

Seeking to capitalize upon the trend in wireless communications, BE LABS went several steps further in designing the WMS (Wireless Multimedia System) as an in-home, wide band, wireless delivery system for multiple, high-quality streaming broadcasting video and audio sources. The core technology of the WMS involves the ability to carry up to 10 simultaneous video streams, including HDTV, and audio services, including 7.1 surround sound. Data services, such as wireless computer networks and internet telephone (VoIP- Voice Over Internet Protocol) are handled by a different component of the WMS, using an existing technology, such as 802.11 or UWB. These two pieces, the Video/Audio and Data components, are incorporated into the same unit forming a single integrated distribution system.

To further clarify, the WMS is NOT a wireless computer network or wireless Internet solution and it does NOT compete with any of the wireless network equipment currently on the market. This system, though it includes a wireless hub, is an integrated delivery system, with a wireless computer network consisting only a small part of it. Current 802.11 technology is used for the Internet and VoIP services, but a new and superior standard is used for the wireless video component. For wireless video, the system goes far beyond the fairly low speed of current and proposed wireless Internet connections, such as the 802.11 family. The WMS system supports a very high speed, high quality broadcasting video with the same quality and features as current digital broadcasting and cable channels.

As such, this system not only replaces the present set-top box and the internet modem in the average home, but at the same time, allows up to 10 televisions to operate, each tuned to a different channel and each with picture in picture (PiP) service. Moreover, the system is flexible enough to support up and coming technologies such as interactive TV and Video on Demand (VoD). An additional option to the system includes a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) that the consumer can use to record television and then play back on ANY television in the home or office. Further, the system is fully compatible with the emerging and increasingly popular IPTV technology being rolled out by telecom companies. Thus, virtually any media delivered over the internet can be easily viewed in full high-quality from multiple televisions in the home.

Thanks to the WMS’s capacity to carry so many streams, the technology is equally adaptable to use in single or multiple unit dwellings, including hotels and office buildings.
As the intended customers for this system are service providers and technology companies (i.e. cable, satellite network, telecom companies, and set-top boxes manufacturers), some further enhancements are incorporated into the WMS to allow additional revenues. The system is a digital spread spectrum system (DSS), which is inherently secure, and utilizes fully encrypted and keyed data. This, for the first time, allows the service provider to dynamically control the subscriber base by merely remotely downloading a new encryption key when needed. A smart card interface is built into the system to allow personalized service. This is a conceptual change. Instead of a service contract drafted for a home, the service can be tailored to an individual, even a different service for each individual in the same home. Moving to a new home will no longer interrupt or change the service availability, thereby saving the media provider the cost of reestablishing an already existing costumer.

None of this requires any investment in infrastructure. Quite the contrary, the system is capable of accepting services already reaching the house and is adaptable to accommodate future services. Communication-bearing wires that are in current houses will be retired from use, and in newly built homes, such wires need not be installed. (For the rare cases in which wireless distribution is not practical, a hard wire connection, with the full capabilities and features of the wireless connection, is also available and can wire seamlessly through the system. More on this is available in white paper 007, available upon request.)

The WMS is equally adaptable for private home use or for a large city block. At home, a typical system supports up to 4 TVs of which 3 are wireless and as many phones, computers and appliances as needed. (As stated earlier however, the system can be expanded and the present limit of version 1 of the WMS is 10 wireless TVs).

On a related note, we designed the WMS system to be modular in design, which is what enables the current design to be expandable to support up to 10 dual video channels (main and PiP). The usable bandwidth in the 5GHz ISM band, allows further division to 32 separate bands (termed channels in the figure below) each supporting one system. Since the transmission is encrypted and uses a spread spectrum technology, these bands have a high reusability and security factor and thus offer a seamless solution in high-density geographic areas. Thus, up to 10 apartments or hotel rooms can each be connected to the same WMS system without the worry of interference from other WMS setups nearby. The encryption schemes employed in the system and the tight dynamic power control contribute further to the reusability of the available frequency band, and prevent eavesdropping and interference between similar systems and other instruments operating within the same frequency bands. Costs for building contractors, hotel operators, and system providers would all be significantly reduced.

WMS Derivatives and Future Products

The WAx (Wireless Hi-Fi Audio Speakers Extender) is a wireless system that works in tandem with existing home theater systems to allow connecting the speakers without the use of cables while retaining the synchronization and low latency needed for a high quality home theater.

The HDVx (High Definition Video extender) was developed to support existing high end digital set-top boxes that incorporate PVRs (Personal Video Recorder). The HDVx allows the use of the PVR function as a whole house DVR (Digital Video Recorder), while eliminating the need for an expensive set-top box for each TV

IMm (Integrated Multimedia chipset). Includes the TxBroadcaster - a highly configurable broadcasting transmitter on a chip, and the ClientServ - an all encapsulating receiver/server on a chip for a remote TV

WAx, HDVx, WMS, IMm, TxBroadcaster and ClientServ are trademarks of BE LABS, Inc.

© 2002-2006 BE LABS, Inc.