WLAN Chipsets Double Wi-Fi Range

These fourth generation multimode wireless LAN chipsets promise to extend the range and reduce the power consumption of 802.11 wireless networks. They employ the company's eXtended Range (XR) technology, said to increase Wi-Fi range to twice that of existing designs and to reduce system power consumption by 60%. They are also claimed to be the industry's first such devices to integrate wireless network management capabilities, such as wake-on-wireless and wake-on-theft. Via a unique baseband architecture, receive sensitivities are up to -105 dBm, exceeding the 802.11 specification by more than 20 dB. Providing universal wireless connectivity, the AR5004X dual-band 802.11a/b/g chipset supports all wireless networking standards. The AR5004G single-band 802.11b/g chipset supports 802.11b and 802.11g in the 2.4-GHz band from 2.3 to 2.5 GHz and the AR5004X adds support for 802.11a in the 5-GHz band from 4.9 to 5.85 GHz. Additionally, the AR5004X meets international requirements for WLAN operation based on 802.11h and 802.11j standards. All chipsets in the family support Super G and Super A/G. More information is available from ATHEROS COMMUNICATIONS INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 773-5200.