Portable Computer and Communications Association (PCCA) Setting Universal Standard for Wireless Modems
SAN FRANCISCO — November 11, 1993 — The Wireless Modem Standards Committee of the Portable Computer and Communications Association (PCCA) announced Thursday that its membership has reached tentative agreement for providing a universal computer interface for wireless data modems.
This interface is based on the widely adopted AT command set used in most dial-up wireline modems with additional extensions to accommodate new wireless network functionality. It is designed to allow software developers to quickly bring to market applications that will work uniformly over the ARDIS, RAM Mobile Data, analog cellular and future CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) networks.
The committee plans to complete its technical work and submit a final specification to the full PCCA for formal adoption before the end of the year.
"Prior to the PCCA effort software vendors had to choose among a dozen or more interfaces to wireless modems," said Andy Seybold, founding president of the PCCA. "The PCCA standard not only provides a single vendor independent interface but it relieves software developers of the burden of choosing a network," added Rodney Hilton, manager of connectivity of ARDIS.
"The extended AT command set approach successfully bridges the gap between existing batch mode remote applications and new interactive wireless applications," said Martin Levetin, vice president and general manager of RAM Mobile Data's wireless messaging business unit. "We will all benefit from the accelerating effect this will have on our industry," concluded Bill Frezza, director of marketing and business development at Ericsson GE and chairman of the PCCA wireless modem standards committee.
Chris Burke, software architect for Motorola Wireless Data Group's Advanced Wireless Products business unit and principal architect of the technical compromise reached by the member companies, summed up as follows: "The PCCA Wireless AT Command Set eases adaptation of existing software for wireless communication as well as development of new applications by providing a familiar interface for modem control and a Minimum Functional Specification applicable across a wide variety of wireless networks and vendors."
The PCCA is a non-profit trade association founded to enable computer and communications companies to collaborate on the convergence of these two industries. Participating companies include Advanced Micro Devices, Alcatel TITN, AP Research, ARDIS, Bell Mobility, BCC, B&K Precision BellSouth Mobile Data, Burr Egan Deleage, Compaq, DCA, Ericsson GE, EON, Fourth Wave, Intel, ITT, Lotus, Megahertz, Melard, Metricom, Microsoft, Motorola, MTel/NWN, Nokia, Philips, Photonics, Pinpoint, RadioMail, RAM Mobile Data, Regis McKenna, Research in Motion, Rockwell, RSA Data Security, Traveling Software, US Army Communications-Electronics, Wildsoft, WRQ and others.
The PCCA's charter is to "enable, develop and promote the adoption of software and hardware standards for interoperable mobile computing and communications." Membership is open to all companies and individuals with an interest in mobile computing and wireless communications.
Founded in 1992, the PCCA operates several technical committees developing standards for emerging wireless technologies and has been called upon to present the views of the industry to organizations such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. National Security Agency, the FCC, Telocator, and other trade and vendor groups.
For a copy of the draft Wireless AT Command Set standard or for further membership information contact the PCCA in Brookdale, CA at 408/338-0924, fax 408/338-7806.
CONTACT:
PCCA, Brookdale
Andy Seybold, 408/338-0924
aseybold (MCI)