USB connectors

United States – Shipments of Wireless USB (WUSB) devices are likely to grow to 190 million in 2012 from 100,000 units in 2007, according to In-Stat. Despite slow initial market penetration, WUSB is expected to eventually overcome challenges due to its ability to efficiently transfer large amounts of data from one device to another with relative power efficiency. The adoption of the technology was previously held back by the high cost of ultra-wide band (UWB) silicon.

WUSB preserves the speed and security of wired technology while combining the ease-of-use of wireless solutions. It eliminates cable connection and provides enhanced support for streaming media in consumer electronics devices and peripherals. It also addresses issues on high bandwidths, power consumption and physical size requirements of next-generation consumer electronic devices.

With a new wireless ecosystem taking shape, the technology is now being incorporated in a range of electronic devices, including PCs, computer peripherals, consumer electronics and communications equipment. In-Stat expects the WUSB to be widely adopted in laptop PCs.

Other WiMedia-based standards, such as Wi-Fi, are expected to compete with WUSB.