Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Intersil | Subject: ISL3856
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 February 2001
Wireless LAN access point on a chip
Intersil has announced the world's first "WLAN access point on a chip".
Intersil has announced the world's first "WLAN access point-on-a-chip" The new ISL3856 is an ARM-based medium access controller (MAC) chip and the first to support both current IEEE 802.11b-based 2.4GHz and the next generation of higher speed 5GHz 802.11a WLAN standards for wireless communication
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Jan 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Optimised for WLAN access point operation, the device implements both the 802.11 MAC protocol and MAC bridging functions in a single chip.
The new chip is also the first of Intersil's forthcoming 5GHz 802.11a offerings, which will include complete chipsets, firmware, software, and radio reference designs for the next generation of 5GHz-based WLAN systems.
This new MAC chip is based on the popular ARM9 core processor optimised for use in access points.
Access points act as the wireless hubs or gateways that give users a wireless link to a network and the Internet.
It also includes an onboard Ethernet interface that supports both 10 and 100Mbit/s datarates and supports 128bit encryption, the highest level of security for transmitted data.
As the leader in complete, high-volume production solutions with its PRISM chipsets for 2.4GHz, 11Mbit/s WLAN systems, Intersil intends to further expand and strengthen its portfolio of solutions.
"Volume-driven cost reductions, continuing performance improvements and a significant advantage in terms of range are making 2.4GHz WLAN solutions attractive for most office and home applications", said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager for PRISM Wireless Products at Intersil.
"We believe that the many products we've already seen are just the tip of the iceberg, with many more exciting new 2.4GHz WLAN products ready for rollout from our customers this year with even higher speed 5GHz 54Mbit/s products to follow".
Intersil's development of ARM-based MAC platforms is part of an aggressive product roadmap aimed at driving future generations of wireless networking products.
ARM-based MACs are highly programmable, with capability of supporting 802.11-based systems in both 2.4 and 5GHz bands.
The ISL3856 will be available in tray or tape-and-reel BGA packages.
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