Communications: Wireless Router, PC Card Adapter Supply Dual Concurrent Networks

Dec. 8, 2004

Double up the throughput of standard 802.11a/b/g systems via the WGU624 wireless router featuring a built-in firewall, coupled with the WG511U wireless PC card adapter. Maximum data rate is 108 Mbits/s. The systems also permit two concurrent wireless networks for home or small-office applications. Based on the Atheros AR5004X chip set, the router provides an 802.11b/g 2.4-GHz network for data traffic and an 802.11a 5-GHz network to support video and audio streaming. The router offers a receive sensitivity of up to 105 dBm, which is over 20 dB better than the 802.11 specification. This permits an extended range of up to 400 ft. The extended range is transparent, and products are fully interoperable with other Wi-Fi-compliant products. Retail list prices for the router and PC card are $129.99 and $79.99, respectively.

Netgear Inc.
www.netgear.com

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.