Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Atheros Communications | Subject: Xspan
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 17 May 2007
Wi-Fi devices set standard for
compliance
802.11n draft 2.0-compliant devices are used by the Wi-Fi Alliance in its newly announced Wi-Fi Certified 802.11n draft 2.0 testing programme.
Two 802.11n draft 2.0-compliant solutions from Atheros Communications have been selected by the Wi-Fi Alliance for inclusion in its newly announced Wi-Fi Certified 802.11n draft 2.0 testing programme Atheros' Xspan with Signal-Sustain Technology (SST) 802.11n dual-concurrent 2.4/5GHz router and its dual-band 2.4/5GHz CardBus adapter are included in the Wi-Fi Alliance test bed
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 26 Apr 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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These solutions are based on the same Xspan technology implemented by Atheros' customers since the launch of the company's first 802.11n products in 2006, increasing assurance of Wi-Fi certification for Xspan-based end products.
The Wi-Fi Certified 802.11n draft 2.0 testing programme was developed by the industry alliance to help ensure baseline performance and interoperability among end products.
To achieve certification, devices must demonstrate interoperability with reference products selected for the test bed.
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The Wi-Fi Alliance's decision to certify end-user products based on the current 802.11n draft 2.0 specification in advance of the IEEE's final ratification signals the stability of the draft and creates a significant transition for the industry.
In addition, the Wi-Fi Alliance certification programme gives end users greater confidence to purchase 802.11n products now.
"Having actively driven the development of the 802.11n specification since 2003, Atheros is very pleased that the industry is now ensuring cross-vendor product performance and interoperability through certification", said Todd Antes, Vice President of Marketing for Atheros.
"By removing barriers which may have previously discouraged purchase of 802.11n products, 11n is no longer next, it's now".
"The Wi-Fi Certified 802.11n draft 2.0 testing programme is a significant milestone for the Wi-Fi industry and marks the maturity of draft-based products", said Frank Hanzlik, Managing Director of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
"Certification will help deliver the user experience needed to increase the adoption of 802.11n products".
Launched in January 2006, Atheros' Xspan products have already achieved broad market adoption by customers worldwide - including AsusTek, Belkin, Corega, D-Link, I-O Data, Lenovo, Linksys, NEC, NEC-AT, Siemens, SMC, Trendnet, Zyxel and others yet to be announced.
The IEEE802.11n draft 2.0 specification is designed to provide significantly increased bandwidth of up to 600Mbit/s, compared with legacy WLAN standards that offer 54Mbit/s datarates.
Atheros' Xspan products featured in the Wi-Fi Certified testing programme deliver the full potential of the 802.11n draft 2.0 specification by providing operation in both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands, ensuring the ultimate end-user experience.
Wi-Fi Certified 802.11n draft 2.0 end products are expected to be on the market during the second half of 2007.
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