Broadcom announces next gen single-chip 802.11n USB solutions

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Broadcom Corporation today announced its next generation single-chip 802.11n USB solutions for multimedia applications.

As a follow-on to the success of the world’s first single-chip dual-band 802.11n Broadcom® BCM4323, these new Wi-Fi® solutions integrate high-performance Power Amplifiers (PAs) in a single monolithic CMOS die and leverage ubiquitous USB interfaces to add high performance Wi-Fi connectivity to PCs, TVs, set-top boxes (STBs), broadband modems, Blu-ray Disc® players, and other consumer electronics devices.

The Intensi-Fi® XLR Wi-Fi media familyconsists of a 2×2 2.4 GHz-only solution (BCM43235) for cost-sensitive internet connectivity applications, a fully integrated dual-band radio transceiver with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band transmission capability (BCM43236) for whole-home video streaming applications, and a fully integrated dual-band radio transceiver with custom enhancements and software to support carrier-grade IPTV applications (BCM43238).

Highlights/Key Facts:

Universal serial bus (USB) is nearly ubiquitous in computing products and now found in a large number of consumer electronics devices. Wi-Fi equipment vendors offer USB adapters (often called dongles), with which consumers can connect everyday products to their home Wi-Fi networks.

As online video content continues to grow, more consumers want to access over-the-top (OTT) broadband video delivered through internet protocol (IP) to their TVs.

OTT broadband video is generally considered to be content that is delivered directly to TVs in addition to a normal broadcast service or multichannel television package.

Broadcom is addressing this growing consumer demand by connecting media platforms, such as TVs, Blu-ray Disc players and set-top box products, to a broadband IP pipe using Wi-Fi, which in turn, enables consumers to view this content on a large screen TV.

Broadcom’s new USB-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions provide the bandwidth and quality of service necessary to stream HD video reliably throughout an entire home, share media content, and utilize internet-based applications.

This is important as consumers migrate to IPTV and other services that require their entertainment devices to be connected to a network and support their lifestyles.

Broadcom is driving down the cost of adding wireless HD video streaming to price-sensitive consumer devices via low-cost, single-chip 802.11n solutions.

Broadcom’s new dual-band 802.11n SoC solutions (offered in their Wi-Fi media portfolio) serve the growing number of consumers who are using the 5 GHz spectrum of their wireless network for video streaming.

With greater network capacity and less interference than the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band is ideal for multimedia applications that require higher bandwidth, more robust signals and lower latency.

Additionally, dual stream (2×2) capability allows consumers the flexibility to place their Wi-Fi enabled HD video system wherever it suits their needs and still enjoy an uninterrupted high-quality viewing experience.

The key features of the new Broadcom Wi-Fi USB adapter solutions include:
Two dual-band radios (one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz) with integrated high-performance PAs

An ARM® host offload processor and RAM that reduces wireless tasks from the host processor, enabling the device to achieve maximum Wi-Fi performance with no incremental load impact vs. wired Ethernet

Data rates up to 300 Megabits per second (Mbps) and TCP throughput of 200 Mbps over short distances and guaranteed, robust throughput of 40Mbps+ at the edge of a >3000 ft(2) home

Bill of material (BOM) cost reductions by up to 40 percent, bringing down the total cost of 802.11n solutions

Over 50 percent smaller size than competing solutions, some of which feature four discrete components to match the functionality of the 4323x family

65 nanometer CMOS design that promotes high integration and low power consumption

Broadcom’s OneDriver™ software support and WHQL certified driver support for Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems for client applications

Linux® support for access point and router applications

Comprehensive wireless network security support