July 2001 IEEE P802.15-01/349r0

IEEE P802.15

Wireless Personal Area Networks

Project / IEEE P802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)
Title / Letter to Bluetooth SIG Regarding AFH
Date Submitted / [July 12, 2001]
Source / [Steve Shellhammer]
[Symbol Technologies]
[One Symbol Plaza, MS B-2]
[Holtsville, NY 11742] / Voice:[(631) 738-4302]
Fax:[(631) 738-4618]
E-mail:[
Re:
Abstract / []
Purpose / [To suggest “First Steps” with Bluetooth SIG on developing a unified standard on Bluetooth Adaptive Frequency Hopping ]
Notice / This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE P802.15. It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein.
Release / The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes the property of IEEE and may be made publicly available by P802.15.

[Note: In final letter use IEEE letterhead and format]

Frances Truntzer, Chairman of the Board, Bluetooth SIG

Tom Siep, General Manager, Bluetooth SIG

Tom Baker, Chairman, Bluetooth Architecture Review Board

Tod Sizer, Chairman, Bluetooth SIG Coexistence Working Group

The Bluetooth SIG and the IEEE are both interested in the Coexistence of Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b WLAN. Both systems operate in the same 2.4 GHz frequency band. As a result of concern about potential interference between the two systems both the IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG have formed organizations to address the issue of Coexistence. In January 2000 the IEEE formed the IEEE 802.15.2 WLAN/WPAN Coexistence Task Group. Similarly, the Bluetooth SIG formed the Bluetooth SIG Coexistence Working Group. There have been efforts to exchange information between the two Coexistence Groups. Tod Sizer, Chairman of the Bluetooth SIG Coexistence Working Group, regularly gives a Liaison Report from the Bluetooth SIG to the IEEE 802.15.2 Coexistence Task Group. Similarly, Steve Shellhammer, Chairman of the IEEE 802.15.2 Coexistence Task Group is a member of the Bluetooth SIG Coexistence Working Group and functions as a liaison from the IEEE 802.15.2 Coexistence Task Group to the Bluetooth SIG Coexistence Working Group. (Steve works at Symbol Technologies, which is a Bluetooth SIG Associate Member).

Both the IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG are interested in techniques to minimize any mutual interference between Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b. In particular, both groups are interested in developing an Adaptive Frequency Hopping algorithm for Bluetooth which would enable Bluetooth to hop around frequency-static systems, like IEEE 802.11b. This would benefit both Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b. The IEEE 802.15.2 Coexistence Task Group is developing a Recommended Practice for Coexistence of WLAN and WPAN devices. Part of that IEEE Recommended Practice will include a specification for Adaptive Frequency Hopping. Similarly, the Bluetooth Coexistence Working Group is interested in an Adaptive Frequency Hopping specification. We feel that it is in the interest of both the IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG that the IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG agree on a common interoperable Adaptive Frequency Hopping standard.

There has been much cooperation between the Bluetooth SIG and the IEEE already. The IEEE 802.15.1 Bluetooth Task Group has been working with the Bluetooth SIG for the last two years in developing an IEEE 802 standard based upon the Bluetooth specification. Future versions of the Bluetooth specification will likely be submitted to the IEEE for standardization. It is important that future versions of the IEEE 802.15.1 standard be consistent and interoperable with IEEE 802.15.2.

At the Bluetooth Congress in June 2001, Bob Heile, Chairman of the IEEE 802.15 WPAN Working Group met with the Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors (Program Managers?) and suggested that the two organizations work together toward a common Adaptive Frequency Hopping specification. This is a follow up letter to suggest some initial steps that the two organizations might take toward the goal of a common Adaptive Frequency Hopping specification.

As a first step we have enclosed a copy of the initial text for the Adaptive Frequency Hopping section of the IEEE 802.15.2 draft recommended practice. The following is a list of suggested ways that the two organizations might be able to work together to ensure a common Adaptive Frequency Hopping specification.

  1. The IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG could develop a formal method of exchanging technical material on Adaptive Frequency Hopping.
  2. The IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG could define the minimum required set of common specifications to ensure interoperability of Adaptive Frequency Hopping enabled Bluetooth devices.
  3. The IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG could develop a formal method of exchanging technical comments on the Adaptive Frequency Hopping technical material. (The benefits of Peer Review can never be underestimated.)
  4. The IEEE and the Bluetooth SIG could hold a meeting to discuss and review the IEEE and Bluetooth SIG Intellectual property policies.

We look forward to hearing from you, prior to the next IEEE 802.15 meeting September 17-21, concerning this proposal to develop a common Adaptive Frequency Hopping specification.

Sincerely,

Robert F. Heile / Stephen J. Shellhammer
Chairman, IEEE 802.15 WPAN Working Group / Chairman, IEEE 802.15.2 WLAN/WPAN Coexistence Task Group
(508) 222-1393
(781) 929-4832 (Mobile) / (631) 738-4302
/

SubmissionPage 1Steve Shellhammer, Symbol Technologies