Key technologies for distributed wireless networking and ECMA-368 MAC layer LSI design challenges

Abstract. Distributed wireless networking enables opportunistic operation of personal area networks (PANs). In PAN scenario, it is desirable that each device can establish a wireless connection among devices near by, without a help of access point (AP) or central coordinator. Distributed Media Access Control (MAC) is one of the key technologies enabling distributed wireless networking, and WiMedia Alliance worked on the specification of distributed wireless networking technologies. The specifications developed by WiMedia Alliance were standardized published as ECMA368 – High Rate Ultra Wideband PHY and MAC Standard, and ECMA-369 – MAC-PHY Interface for ECMA-368. This paper introduces the technology overview of ECMA-368 MAC and the MAC LSI design challenges. This MAC LSI is intended to offer a generic communication platform to meet various application needs, and was certified to be compliant to the specification by WiMedia. The MAC design includes not only standardized protocol set, but also some additional enhancement features to achieve better performance or to meet certain application requirements.