Software boosts multimode chipset to 150Mbit/s

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Mar 17, 2004

New performance acceleration software for the WaveLAN 802.11a/b/g multimode chipset delivers up to 150Mbit/s data throughput for wireless networking products.

New performance acceleration software for the WaveLAN 802.11a/b/g multimode chipset delivers up to 150Mbit/s data throughput for wireless networking products.

This "turbo mode" capability, developed using standards-based quality-of-service (QoS) techniques and other software enhancements, will give retail and PC OEMs the highest performing multimode solution on the market, enabling seamless connectivity and broad compatibility.

With the proliferation of wireless networking standards and applications for PCs and consumer electronics, high-speed Wi-Fi users are most concerned about getting the best throughput at any given range and uninterrupted connections in mixed-mode networks.

Agere's WaveLAN multimode chipset provides up to twice the range of competing solutions at peak datarates - as well as higher throughput when combined with software enhancements - to deliver reliable, high-speed connections.

Agere's advanced acceleration techniques build on this strong foundation and, by employing mechanisms anticipated in the IEEE802.11e QoS standard, ensure the maximum interoperability with millions of Wi-Fi products being deployed globally.

"Our WaveLAN multimode chips offer outstanding baseline range and data throughput", said Stan Swearingen, Vice President of Agere's Computing Connectivity Division.

"By leveraging standards-defined software mechanisms, Agere is raising the bar in peak performance and industry-wide interoperability for high-speed Wi-Fi devices".

Agere's acceleration software enables ever-faster networking.

Networks employing Agere's WaveLAN solution can support applications that require greater bandwidth, such as streaming media within the home, transmitting large data files, or routing multiple Wi-Fi devices to an external hard disk drive.

Agere's software acceleration capabilities have been developed using a number of techniques to improve data transmission speeds, including client-to-client transfer, in which two devices bypass an access point to send data directly to each other, data compression, frame bursting and overhead management, among others.

With peak performance representing a multiple of baseline performance, Agere's software builds on exceptional range and data throughput to enable up to 150Mbit/s wireless connectivity.

Ramping to production this month, Agere's WaveLAN multimode chipset consists of a single-chip, dual-band 2.4/5.2GHz RF transceiver, media access controller (MAC), baseband processor and power amplifier.

Agere's acceleration software will be implemented as a technology overlay to the WaveLAN chipset in third calendar quarter 2004, aligned with the expected ratification of the 802.11e standard.

This timing will ensure that Agere's software enhancements fully comply with the final QoS specification, providing Wi-Fi product developers with the highest performing interoperable solution available.