Wi-fi Direct devices enable wireless powerhouse

Wi-Fi Direct is software that sits on top of IEEE 802.11x silicon, making Wi-Fi Direct's success dependent on the 802.11x chip solution.锟紹ecause it is software and not a change to the silicon, it does not require a new IEEE specification, and is governed instead by the Wi-Fi Alliance, the Austin, Texas-based trade association.

Wi-Fi Direct creates a powerful Wi-Fi solution and enables the premier wireless networking standard to add peer-to-peer capability, with no need for a Wi-Fi access point.锟絋his creates a complete wireless standard and brings Wi-Fi into competition with specifications such as Bluetooth.锟絃ikewise, the marginal cost of Wi-Fi Direct-enabled silicon over basic Wi-Fi silicon is minimal.

"Wi-Fi Direct enjoys wide backing from Wi-Fi silicon vendors.锟紺ompanies such as Atheros, Broadcom, CSR, Intel, Marvell, Qualcomm, Ralink, and Realtek all have plans for widespread release of Wi-Fi Direct-enabled silicon," said Brian O'Rourke, research director of In-Stat.

He added, "In fact, many of these companies received Wi-Fi Direct certification for at least one chip solution in the fourth quarter of 2010, shortly after the specification was released by the Wi-Fi Alliance in October. In terms of adoption by 802.11x type, 802.11a/g chip vendors are not likely to add Wi-Fi Direct, as the standard has a limited life span remaining. However, it will be seen in the vast majority of new 802.11n silicon beginning in 2011.锟紸nd it will be standard in 802.11ac silicon as it begins to ship."

However, it is said that the adoption of Wi-Fi Direct software in Wi-Fi silicon is half the battle to ensure its success among consumers.锟紸nother issue will be making the Wi-Fi Direct standard useful with application programming interface (API) software.锟紸PIs ease the connection between devices, and increase the usability of Wi-Fi Direct for consumers.锟絎ithout solid APIs, Wi-Fi Direct will be useful than the current 802.11x ad-hoc mode—the first, complex, little-used attempt at Wi-Fi peer-to-peer connectivity.

According to In-Stat, "Wi-Fi chip vendors are already delivering API solutions.锟紽or example, Broadcom has announced its Maestro API suite, Atheros has Direct Connect, and Qualcomm has introduced AllJoyn.锟絅evertheless, there is a danger in Wi-Fi silicon vendors creating APIs.锟紸 rival company may be hesitant to use one of these solutions for fear of helping, and possibly becoming dependent on the competition.锟紸nd without widely accepted APIs, it will be difficult for a Wi-Fi Direct ecosystem to develop.锟絋his could create an opening for a third-party software vendor to provide an API."

"Wi-Fi Direct devices came to market in very small numbers in late 2010, a result of the 21 Wi-Fi Direct-certified products approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance in the fourth quarter of 2010. Many more products will hit the market in 2011.锟絋he first applications to adopt Wi-Fi Direct include mobile PCs, mobile phones, and digital televisions (DTVs).锟絋hese devices share a trait: they are the respective centers of the PC, CE, and mobile device clusters, and they ship in the hundreds of millions of devices annually.锟絊o it makes sense for Wi-Fi Direct to start with these applications, and then move to the rest of the PC, PC peripheral, and CE ecosystems.锟経ltimately, we expect Wi-Fi Direct to be successful and that, by 2014, all Wi-Fi devices that ship will be enabled with Wi-Fi Direct, creating a one-stop shop for wireless networking and connectivity." said O'Rourke.