Volunteer effort of American Radio Relay League (ARRL) will help FCC Technology Advisory Council (TAC) collect data on spectrum noise floor, spokesman said at TAC meeting Mon. “Club project” provides volunteers from Assn. who will conduct 3-year study with initial emphasis on unlicensed Part 15 spectrum often used by consumer electronics devices, especially at 2.4 GHz, used by Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b radio local area networks, cordless phones. Tests will include “drive/walkaround” monitoring of “hot spots,” typically urban areas with heavy wireless usage, plus long-term stationary test, with report to be issued in 2005. Depending on how well project is publicized within ARRL, “few dozen” volunteer testers are expected next year. “We've learned the Commission doesn’t have a good handle on the noise level for Part 15 spectrum, whether the noise floor has increased, decreased or stayed the same,” ARRL Gen. Counsel Chris Imlay said. FCC doesn’t know whether level of regulation of that spectrum is appropriate. Surveys serve ARRL interest because of extensive “spectrum interaction between amateur radio and Part 15 devices” group hopes to help solve, he said. Amateur radio enthusiasts are good group to mobilize because 685,000 licensees exist and “a lot are active. Certainly ARRL’s 175,000 members are,” TAC Chmn. Robert Lucky said. Important issue for early tests is “how geography-dependent is the problem,” he said. While driveabout tests have volunteers using own equipment, long term stationary test will require consistent noise measurement system design, said George Hagn, independent consultant assigned to TAC noise floor measurement project. Very low cost noise measurement calibration system is under development, he said, and “long-term trend tests need tight calibration.” He said he “was delighted” with 3-year duration of test. Formed by FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology (OET) under Federal Advisory Committee Act, TAC combines diverse group of academics, scientists and chief technology officers of technology companies representing telecom, data networking, software, consumer electronics, amateur radio interests. Next meeting is Dec. 5 at FCC hq.
Aurora Systems signed agreement with China Display to supply 0.9” microdisplay for front projector. China Display’s HX-2000A projector ($3,750) has 1,024x768 resolution, with mass production starting by year-end.
Strict “no bags” policy remains in effect for visitors to floor of Comdex show, which opens next week for 5-day run in Las Vegas, officials told reporters in news briefing Mon. But show management, apparently bowing to pressure from general attendees, will add bag-checking facilities in Las Vegas Convention Center and MGM Grand Hotel.
Kenwood licensed in-band on-channel (IBOC) technology from iBiquity Digital and will incorporate it in line of home and car receivers to be introduced at Jan. 2003 CES in Las Vegas, companies said Mon. Kenwood previously was licensee of IBOC technology from USA Digital Radio before it merged with Lucent Digital Radio to form iBiquity. Jan. 2003 date for first IBOC receivers is consistent with timeline described earlier by iBiquity and assumes transmission equipment will be available for debut at April 2002 NAB convention.
Palm Pictures will begin national distribution Nov. 13 of soundtrack album of 3DO’s PlayStation 2 (PS2) videogame Jonny Moseley Mad Trix. Redwood City, Cal., game maker 3DO said title “is the first trick-based free-skiing game ever made” for PS2. Palm is record label headed by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.
Nintendo indicated Mon. that dropping prices for key Game Boy Advance (GBA) components combined with strong sales for its next-generation handheld game machine and weaker yen boosting value of its overseas sales were likely to allow company to report stronger-than-expected profit for 6 months ended Sept. 30. Nintendo comment was unavailable by our deadline. But reports from Japan said company now was likely to post 29% leap in group operating profit for first 6 months to ?51 billion ($419.2 million), instead of expected ?45 billion ($369.8 million). Nintendo said it suffered little if any impact from Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- after week immediately following incidents, anyway -- and now expects to see little impact on its 2nd half. Reports said consolidated sales increased 18% to ?225 billion ($1.8 billion) in 6-month period and net profit 17% to almost ?35 billion ($287.6 million). On negative side, GBA software sales were lower than expected, although Pokemon Game Boy Color (GBC) titles continued to fare well overseas. Company is to announce its 2001/2002 interim results Nov. 21. For full year, Nintendo still expects group sales to rise 25% to ?580 billion ($4.8 billion), while its target of annual sales of 21 million GBA units remains possible. Latter would allow group operating profit for year to increase 53% to ?130 billion ($1 billion), compared with earlier forecast of ?120 billion ($986.3 million), reports said, adding that Nintendo also still believed it could meet its target of selling 4 million GameCube consoles by end of its fiscal year.
Mad Catz Interactive opened redesigned and improved corporate Web site, www.madcatz.com. Revamped site includes detailed product information, current and historical financial information, investor information and password-protected secure section for retailers, designers and developers. Consumers also can buy Mad Catz products direct from San Diego-based game accessory maker.
Midway Games began shipping NHL Hitz 20-02 for Xbox at $49.99. Title already had been released for PS2 and version for GameCube is to ship Nov. 13. Midway Mktg. Vp Helene Sheeler said it would be “the only hockey videogame available for the Xbox videogame system at launch” Nov. 15.