Intersil and Sony develop new wireless TV solution

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jan 8, 2001

Intersil has worked with Sony to develop Point Co-ordination Function (PCF) technology based on Intersil's latest Prism 2.5 wireless LAN chipset solution.

Intersil has worked with Sony to develop Point Co-ordination Function (PCF) technology based on Intersil's latest Prism 2.5 wireless LAN chipset solution.

The new wireless PCF technology is being used in Sony's new personal IT television called "airboard" to provide fast, wireless streaming of high-quality audio and video content at 11Mbit/s over an IEEE 802.11b wireless link and represents the first practical application of this technology.

The PCF-based Prism wireless solution gives Sony "airboard" TV users high-speed wireless access to the Internet and video using a single, portable LCD monitor that can be used anywhere in the home without wires.

It gives users fast Internet access and video viewing using the IEEE's 802.11b 11Mbit/s wireless communications standard.

Sony selected Intersil's Prism 2.5 technology for its fast data rate and its high level of integration requiring only four ICs.

"We share Sony's vision that broadband Internet services and wireless connectivity will revolutionise 802.11-based entertainment options in the home", said Greg Williams, CEO and President of Intersil Corporation.

"Significant for Intersil, this is the first commercial use of PCF in an 802.11b product and represents a major win for our Prism/homeT product line.

Sony's choice of our Prism chipset is further evidence of the growing acceptance of 802.11b for the home and promises to liberate consumers from complicated wired information appliances while stimulating a home networking market segment aimed at a new range of users".

Prism II is a highly integrated WLAN chip set, delivering wireless Ethernet networking with compliance to the IEEE's 802.11b global standard.

Optimised for high data rate performance, Prism II-based systems provide fast, reliable performance in all types of networking environments.

Advanced design and process technologies reduce power consumption, design complexity and total system cost.