The network environment is undergoing drastic change. The wired access network is moving from telephone based technology to IP-based network by xDSL or fiber based technology in the home. Performance is improving to over 100 Mbps. Some wireless access points are now available at coffee shops, airports, etc. called Hot Spot Services. Unfortunately performance of current wireless services is still less than 100Mbps. Mobile users do not have access methods to high-speed networks via wireless Internet services.

At the same time, the environment to enjoy multimedia content is also changing. Most content formats have changed from analog to digital. The digital format can be exchanged on an IP-based network. Presently users must access the network from a PC when they want to utilize the digital content. In the future users will access the network from home servers. Already some DVD/HDD recorders have the capability to connect to the network. This equipment will evolve to the home server and all users will be able to save all digital content that they own.

Digital content is often used in other environments. Music content is readily available on portable music players for use outside the home or office. Users require a fast and easy way to transfer content from a PC to portable equipment.

Recently, Automatic Vending Services for digital content have started in Japan. The customer pays for and downloads digital content from vending machines. Digital Content size can range from 4Mbps to 100Mbps+ depending on the content type. Content type can be digitally encoded music and eventually full-length movies. Downloads requiring more than 10 seconds will not be acceptable to consumers.............

Market Requirements for IrBurst

September 18, 2003

NTT Corporation

Waseda University

1 Background

The network environment is drastically changed in the recent years. Especially, the wired access network is changed to IP-based network from telephone-based network by xDSL technology or FTTH (Fiber To The Home) technology. The network performance is improved to over 100 Mbps. Furthermore, some wireless access services are available. For example, wireless Internet access service at some coffee shops (Hot spot service). Unfortunately, the performance of the current wireless services is less than 100 Mbps. The mobile users don’t have any access methods to high-speed network through the wireless Internet access service.

On the other hand, the environment to enjoy the multimedia content is changed. Most content formats are changed to digital formats from analog formats. The content with digital format is fit to exchange on the IP-based network. At present, the users have to access the network from PC when they want to use the digital content. In the future, the user will access the network from home server. Already, some DVD/HDD recorders have the capability to connect to Internet. These equipments will be evolved to the home server. The user will be able to save all digital contents that they own.

These contents are often used on the other environment. For example, music content is used on portable music player when you go out. The users need quick and easy measure to transfer the content to portable equipment from home server.

In the last few years, Automatic Vending services for Digital Content have started in Japan. The customers pay for and download Digital Content from vending machines.

The size of the digital content can range from 4MB to over 100MB depending on the content type. Content types can be digitally encoded music and in the future may include full-length movies. Due to the customer’s expectation and unwillingness to stand for a long period, a download of more than 10 seconds is not acceptable.

Current services use storage mediums such as Compact Flash, Smart Media and Memory Stick etc. This manner of data transfer means that several interfaces must be implemented on the download equipment. Furthermore the quality of service can deteriorate due to repeated physical contact between the download equipment and the device and also vandalism such as gum and cigarettes etc. being jammed into the media slots. This type of vandalism is common with public pay phones in almost every country.

2 The Infrared Advantage

It is obvious that a wireless connection is optimum for this type of service. Infrared is superior to the other current wireless standards because of it’s “Point & Shoot” capability. Connection establishment between device and equipment, when compared to other wireless standards, IrDA is quick and easy. IrDA also provides a stable connection without creating possibly harmful interference. This means that vending machines providing this service can be located in areas sensitive to RF interference such as hospitals and aircraft.

3 Requirement

Mobile devices such as MP3 players, Digital cameras and the majority of mobile devices have limited memory and processing power due to cost considerations at the time of manufacture. Unfortunately, because of this existing IrDA protocols are not sufficient for these devices. These devices require a light implementation of IrDA protocols that provides maximum transfer performance with limited processing power.

A test of current IrDA protocols using FIR, revealed that the maximum throughput of an IrCOMM connection between PDAs as 3.3Mbps(80%), and the throughput of an IrTran-P connection between PDAs is 2.92Mbps(70%)

4 Discussion items at “IrBurst”

(1) Usage models

Download/Upload Connection

Exchanging Multimedia Content between mobile terminals and Content Delivery Terminal

Peer-to-peer Connection

(2) Physical Layer Consideration

FIR (4Mbps), VFIR (16Mbps) and UFIR(over 100Mbps)

(3) How to use Lower Layer Protocols

Packet length, Window size, Turn around time, etc.

(4) Relationship between IrBurst and the other Ir specifications

Compatibility with OBEX™

Relationship between IrBurst & IrFM

(5) Recommended Implementation

For Relay equipment between Ir & TCP/IP

For Mobile Terminals (PDA, Note PC, etc.)

(6) Other applicable fields

Data download/Upload at home or at office

radio wave interference (Medical field, Transportation field, etc.)

5 Schedule

(1) Jun. 2001

IrBurst SIG was created, discussion started

(2) Jan. 2002

Version 0.1 of Profiles Documents proposed

(3) Sep. 2003

Version 0.5 of Profile Documents proposed

(4) Dec. 2003

Voting for Directional and Draft

(5) Jun. 2003

Voting for Final