[FCC approval allows DS-OFDM UWB radios to use all of the 3.1GHZ to 10.6 GHZ spectrum allocated by the FCC significantly increasing UWB rates and distances for electronic devices using the technology.]

Campbell, CA -- Focus Enhancements, Inc. announced it has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for its unique Ultra Wideband (UWB) DS-OFDM modulation scheme. This approval was granted without waiver restrictions that are currently being applied to the WiMedia Standard UWB technology.

DS-OFDM UWB radios will be able to use all or any part of the 3.1 gigahertz (GHz) to 10.6 GHz spectrum allocated by the FCC. UWB rates and distances will be significantly increased using DS-OFDM architecture.

"While several WiMedia companies have received FCC approval for UWB technology, none have done so without waiver -- until now," said Tom Hamilton, executive vice president and general manger of Focus Enhancements' semiconductor group. "Focus Enhancements has the FCC approval necessary to accomplish its goal to deliver longer distances and faster wireless transfer rates for manufacturers of consumer electronics and personal computer peripherals used worldwide."

"The ability to use DS-OFDM has several significant advantages in the UWB space," said Michael Ngo, vice president of engineering of Focus Enhancements' semiconductor group. "In the U.S., Talaria, our wireless UWB technology which uses DS-OFDM, will be able to access all 7 GHz of the available UWB spectrum. In Europe, where it looks like UWB will be restricted to the frequency range between 6 GHz and 10 GHz, we will be able to use all 4 GHz of the allocated frequency; and in Japan, we can use all 3 GHz allocated between 7 GHz and 10 GHz."

UWB is an inherently low-power radio technology where power levels are restricted to the level of noise typically emitted by a laptop computer. Performance of UWB radios will be dependant on the amount of the allocated spectrum utilized. DS-OFDM is allowed to occupy the entire allocated spectrum as defined by international regulatory bodies.

Focus Enhancements' Talaria UWB wireless technology embraces and integrates both WiMedia Standard MB-OFDM modulation and its own DS-OFDM modulation. Talaria seamlessly integrates both techniques into one smoothly operating radio which can talk to both WiMedia and DS-OFDM devices simultaneously. In addition, Talaria is also designed to be compatible with the Certified Wireless USB Standard.

This multi-functional approach will deliver high-speed, short-range, cable-free connectivity for a wide array of multimedia consumer electronics, personal computer peripherals and mobile devices. With the enhanced performance of DS-OFDM, video, distribution in the home and high-speed media transfers to mass storage devices will be achievable. In initial testing, Focus Enhancements has already surpassed the performance and distance specifications set forth by UWB standards organizations.

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