Combo Chipset Tackles Three WLAN Standards

Supporting all three IEEE wireless LAN standards, the Combo Chipset employs Smart Select technology to connect transparently to 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g networks. Smart Select automatically chooses the optimal RF technology, rate adaptation and error correction methods, power reduction and internationalization features, and security protocol for a wireless network and dynamically adapts to changing conditions as the user roams within that network.Using standard CMOS technology, the chipset is composed of a 5-GHz radio-on-a-chip with a 5.150 to 5.850 GHz tuning range, a 2.4-GHz RF chip, and a multi-protocol MAC and baseband processor that supports both RF front-ends. The three chip set supports 802.11a, 802.11b and the 802.11g draft standardÕs OFDM implementation. Underlying the chipset is the companyÕs commitment to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing as the preferred modulation for wireless LANs at all frequencies. The chipset also features a comprehensive security solution, covering four areas: AES encryption, 802.1x authentication, virtual private networks (VPNs), and virtual LANs (VLANs). Other features include an improved TurboMode, which increases wireless data rates to 108 Mb/s, and both dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC) to support European operation. The Combo Chipset (AR5001X) is sampling now and will be shipping in volume in Q2 of this year. ATHEROS COMMUNICATIONS INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 773-5200