The IEEE 802.15 Low Rate Alternative PHY Task Group (TG4a) for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) has defined a project for an amendment to 802.15.4 for an alternative PHY.
The principle interest is in providing communications and high precision ranging / location capability (1 meter accuracy and better), high aggregate throughput, and ultra low power; as well as adding scalability to data rates, longer range, and lower power consumption and cost. These additional capabilities over theexisting 802.15.4 standard are expected to enable significant new applications and market opportunities.
Historical
In March 2004, 802.15.4a became an official Task Group; with its committee work tracing back to November 2002. The committee has completed its efforts to draft an alternate PHY specification for theapplications identified in accordance with the project timeline adopted at start of the task group.
In March 2005, TG4a selected a baseline specification without enacting our down-selection procedures, and as a result, confirmed the baseline with 100% approval. The baseline consisted of two optional Phys consisting of a UWB Impulse Radio (operating in unlicensed UWB spectrum) and a Chirp Spread Spectrum (operating in unlicensed 2.4GHz spectrum).
On December 2005 TG4a sent the draft standard to Working Group letter ballot with the final recirculation ending on 24 August 2006 with a cumulative vote of 158 affirmative votes, 19 negative votes, and 19 abstentions; the ballot carried allowing the draft to be sent to Sponsor Ballot.
On the 31 August, P802.15.4a went out to Sponsor Ballot with the final recirculation closing on 27 January 2007. Since the cumulative vote on P802.15.4a was 96 affirmative votes, 2 negative votes, and 13 abstentions the ballot carried and P802.15.4a was allowed to proceed toRevCom for review.
On the 22 March 2007;P802.15.4a was approved as a new amendment to IEEE Std 802.15.4-2006 by the IEEE-SA Standards Board.
