IEEE 802.15.4 has become the go-to PHY and MAC standard for wireless ad hoc, peer-to-peer, and mesh networking supporting nearly 20 (and growing) upper layer business consortiums and alliances. With the growth in the standard’s adoption, the standard itself has also grown in size, complexity, and readability. In recent years, two definably different aspects of the standard have gained considerable use and increasing market presence:

• IEEE 802.15.4 Narrow Band Ad Hoc Networks
• IEEE 802.15.4 Ad Hoc UWB Networks

Three new projects have recently been launched in recognition of the growth of these 2 major uses that seek to lay the foundation for the future growth of both the Narrow Band and Ultra Wide Band Ad Hoc Networking technologies defined in IEEE 802.15.4.