Chip Forms WLAN-To-WAN Bridge

Representing the company's second generation access point/router device, the AT76C511 integrates on-chip two ARM7TDMI processors, two 10/100 Ethernet media access controllers (MACs), a high-speed USART, and a 802.11b MAC for providing a seamless connection between wireless local area networks (WLANs) and wide area networks (WANs). The bridge controller device supports several applications, such as access points (APs), bridges, wireless routers, and ADSL-to-WLAN interconnects. The chip also integrates a dedicated hardware block to implement Wired Encryption Privacy (WEP) enciphering/deciphering of wireless data for both 64- and 128-bit keys. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security solutions, including 802.1x and TKIP, are also supported by the device. The operating system selected for the new AP/router is the feature-rich µC-Linux. And to allow design flexibility, independent libraries for hardware access are provided for the AT76C511 to accommodate use with other operating systems or custom firmware. The AT76C511 chip in a 208-pin LQFP has a starting price of about $14.50 each/25,000. A complete reference design kit is also available. More details are available from ATMEL CORP., San Jose, CA. (408) 441-0311.