Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Intersil | Subject: Prism 3
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 16 July 2002
Zero IF chipset allows Wi-Fi to fit into
SD format
Intersil has helped SyChip to develop tiny secure digital (SD) format wireless LAN card for PDAs, mobile telephones and other miniature or portable products.
Intersil has helped SyChip to develop tiny secure digital (SD) format wireless LAN card for PDAs, mobile telephones and other miniature or portable products The new reference card solution from SyChip uses Intersil's Prism 3 chip with zero intermediate frequency (ZIF) architecture to reduce chip count and power consumption making it possible to put the entire 802.11b WLAN card on an SD 'memory sized' card
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 13 Sep 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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SyChip's WLAN modules form a complete reference design on an SD card including all software drivers and complete 802.11b functions allowing OEMs to integrate WLAN into products supporting Windows 2000/XP/CE (2.11 or greater), and the Palm OS 4 and higher.
The products are targeted toward consumer applications but also address enterprise applications in mobile and telecommuting areas.
Just like a standard WLAN network card, the SyChip based NICs are able to operate in peer-to-peer or with an access point.
The tiny SyChip WLAN card will provide 802.11b connectivity for PDAs etc without the added bulk and cost of adaptor sleeves.
As SD card slots gain popularity for more than memory and are incorporated into other wireless devices, applications are expected to expand into cellular telephones, digital cameras and printers.
"SyChip's SD card out our Prism WLAN technology into the smallest WLAN form factor in the world and shows how future generations of handheld devices will provide mobile connectivity and anywhere, anytime access to the Internet and personal data", said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager of Intersil's Wireless Networking Products Group.
"The new SyChip module is based on our Prism 3 chipset which uses advanced ZIF technology to eliminate IF stages and components, resulting in the smallest WLAN chipset in the industry, bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to the next level of miniaturisation".
"The combination of Intersil's market leadership in WLAN chipsets and SyChip's world class technology and design expertise has resulted in the industry's first 802.11b SDIO miniature network interface card (NIC)", said George Barber, CEO and president of SyChip.
SyChip expects an evaluation card for the module and support materials for the reference design to be ready by Q4 '02 with samples of the full SD-format WLAN card by the end of 2002.
These new modules will support Windows 2000/XP/CE (2.11 or greater), and the Palm OS (4 and higher).
The card is targeted toward consumers but will also address mobile and telecommuting areas of the enterprise.
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