The decision to implement a UWB radio into a product is not simply a technical selection. There are a substantial number of business issues surrounding the selection of which one should also be aware. Intellectual-property obligations, price expectations and market development directions are all matters that intimately affect the potential for a successful outcome. This chapter is intended to highlight some of those issues and provide a distilled assessment.

Expected changes to the technology over time

As is the case with all technologies, UWB will evolve over time. What it is today is not what it will be in the three-year life expectancy of most computer products. In making product decisions, it is never enough simply to look at the way things are now. It is also necessary to look at trends that will occur over the expected life of a product. As an example, if one were to compare a UWB radio with an 802.11n radio today, the result will be far different from a comparison that will occur in the next three years. This section discusses some of the trends now visible, which will change the functionality of UWB.

Planned development in UWB

In addition to the trends that are happening as a result of general economic and market conditions, there will be focused efforts within UWB standards organizations and SIGs to evolve UWB as well. There are two primary directions along which UWB will develop.