LAS VEGAS, 8 January 2007, Ruckus Wireless today
introduced a unique, miniaturized wireless multimedia adapter, the MediaFlex
USB Dongle designed to provide stable, wireless connectivity to in-home
multimedia devices such as set-tops and media centre systems. At the 2007
International CES, the company will demonstrate the first successful
integration of this new technology with an IPTV set-top from industry-leader
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT).
The Ruckus MediaFlex Dongle is an external smart Wi-Fi® client adapter in an
elegant and small form factor. Specifically developed to fill a need in the
home networking market for a low-cost, video-grade client adapter, the device
uses the popular Universal Serial Bus (USB) to interface with set top boxes,
media centre systems and other multimedia devices, giving broadband providers,
for the first time, the ultimate in price/performance for enabling low-cost,
high value 802.11b/g access.
Further, unlike other USB Wi-Fi adapters, the Ruckus MediaFlex USB Dongle is
the only video-grade wireless USB adapter on the market to leverage
patent-pending BeamFlex smart antenna technology.
"Now that we have proven smart Wi-Fi technology delivers dramatic improvements
for supporting multimedia and extending range, the next step is to cost reduce
and miniaturize the technology to make it even simpler and more flexible," said
Selina Lo, president and CEO of Ruckus Wireless. "And our integration with
Motorola marks yet another milestone for bringing the next stage of wireless
multimedia connectivity to carriers and their customers."
The Motorola VIP1720 is the first IPTV set-top to successfully integrate with
the Ruckus MediaFlex Dongle. The VIP1720 hybrid set-top integrates IPTV and
DVB-T broadcast support into a single device, and supports MPEG-2, MPEG-4/AVC,
and VC1 video codecs.
At CES, the companies will demonstrate three MPEG-2 streams multicast over
standard 802.11g wireless network, from a single Ruckus MediaFlex router to
different Ruckus MediaFlex Dongles connected to the Motorola VIP1720.
"Motorola and Ruckus Wireless together are bringing media mobility and wireless
freedom into the connected home. This cost-effective solution presents a
simple, no-hassle way for a consumer to experience rich, IPTV content in any
room in their home that they wish," said Matthias Trygg, Marketing Director,
Motorola IPTV Open Solutions. "Motorola is committed to offering providers with
options for distributing content throughout the home, and we are proud to have
completed the integration with Ruckus' solution."
Ruckus BeamFlex takes advantage of multiple high-gain antenna elements to constantly
adapt to the changing RF environment by automatically adjusting antenna
patterns to optimise reception and minimize interference. This translates into
extended range, reliable performance, high data rates and stable connectivity
for carriers and their customers.
Competitive testing in a real-world home environment reveals that the Ruckus
MediaFlex Dongle delivers a 100 to 600 percent increase in throughput over
standard USB wireless client adapters while providing better range and signal
reliability. Home testing was conducted in a typical U.S. house (approximately
2500-3000 sq. feet) using standard UDP test tools.
Designed to work with the Ruckus MediaFlex router, the Ruckus MediaFlex Dongle
is completely plug-and-play and powered over the USB connection to the set top
box. The Ruckus MediaFlex Dongle requires no external power supply and simply
attaches to set top boxes via a standard USB 2.0 connector. Requisite drivers
are being made available for popular set top boxes.
The Ruckus MediaFlex USB Dongle allows the automatic configuration of SSIDs,
encryption keys and other parameters, enabling deployment in a matter of
seconds. Available immediately, the Ruckus MediaFlex USB Dongle is list priced
at US $59.00.
About Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Ruckus Wireless is a home networking company
credited with pioneering 'smart Wi-Fi' technology. Formed in 2004, Ruckus
Wireless designs, develops and markets in-home systems that provide reliable
whole-home distribution of delay-sensitive multimedia content and services over
standard 802.11 technology. Its flagship product, MediaFlex, is used by
broadband operators around the world to extend digital services, such as IPTV,
throughout the home without wires. The company's patent-pending hardware and
software technologies deliver predictable performance, extended range and
real-time adaptability changing Wi-Fi environments. The company has raised
approximately $32 million in of financing from premiere venture capital
investors, consumer electronics companies and broadband operators. Ruckus
Wireless is led by president and CEO, Selina Lo. For more information, visit
the company's Web site at http://www.ruckuswireless.com.
Source: Motorola press release
