Product category: Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Broadcom Corp | Subject: Intensi-fi
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 08 January 2008
Wi-Fi technology handles voice, video
and data
Wireless routers with simultaneous dual-band functionality allow Wi-Fi users to maximise performance for multimedia applications, while remaining compatible with existing wireless devices.
Broadcom's dual-band 802.11n technology is enabling cutting-edge Wi-Fi products to handle simultaneous voice, video and data applications By using both the 2.4 and 5GHz frequency bands simultaneously, Broadcom dual-band 802.11n products greatly expand network capacity and enable consumers to get the most from their wireless networks
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
All-CMOS chipsets meet latest Wi-Fi specs
The new Intensi-fi family of wireless LAN chipsets are the first solutions designed to comply with the IEEE802.11n draft specification.
Upgraded wireless LAN chipset hits the streets
Broadcom has begun shipping its Intensi-fi wireless LAN technology to several top manufacturers of wireless networking gear.
Two leading Wi-Fi vendors have selected Broadcom Intensi-fi solutions for their latest dual-band routers.
This includes the new Netgear RangeMax Dual-Band Wireless-N Router (WNDR3300) and the Ultra RangePlus Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WRT600N) from Linksys, a division of Cisco.
"The pervasiveness of HD content and emergence of IPTV services are creating enormous demand for wireless products that allow consumers to view video content on any screen in their home", said Rahul Patel, Senior Director of Marketing for Broadcom's Wireless LAN business unit.
Further reading
Next-generation Wi-Fi chipset gathers momentum
Broadcom Corporation reports that its Intensi-fi family of draft-802.11n silicon devices is gaining momentum as more manufacturers and consumers adopt next generation Wi-Fi technology.
Wi-Fi chipset finds ultraportable home
Broadcom's Intensi-fi draft-802.11n wireless chipsets are now available in Acer's new Ferrari notebook computers, providing high-performance Wi-Fi connectivity.
Processor links Wi-Fi with Gigabit Ethernet
Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet processor that extends Intensi-fi family of draft-802.11n solutions.
"Consumer electronics manufacturers are already implementing 802.11n in HDTVs and set-top boxes devices".
"Broadcom is optimising both the performance and cost of our dual-band solutions to accelerate the adoption of 802.11n in many other home theatre products".
Increasing network capacity is critical as hundreds of millions of wireless products compete for three nonoverlapping channels in the 2.4GHz band.
Broadcom's Intensi-fi technology provides 24 additional nonoverlapping channels in the 5GHz band, helping with video applications, which require more throughput (10-20Mbit/s for each stream) and stronger connections to ensure a smooth video experience.
"Simultaneous dual-band Wireless-N is an important technology for consumers moving entertainment content throughout the connected home", said Mani Dhillon, Director of Product Marketing, Linksys Consumer Business Organisation.
"Using both parts of the spectrum multiplies the available bandwidth to support high-quality video, voice over IP and gaming applications on a Wi-Fi network".
Wireless routers with simultaneous dual-band functionality allow Wi-Fi users to maximise performance for multimedia applications, while remaining compatible with existing wireless devices on their network.
For example, consumers can use the 2.4GHz band for applications such as e-mail, internet surfing and wireless printing, which require less bandwidth but must remain compatible with existing 802.11b/g products.
At the same time, the router can stream flawless HD video to laptops and televisions throughout the house on the 5GHz band.
"Wireless networking has become so popular that home networks increasingly overlap in the neighborhood, severely impacting network performance for video streaming, gaming and internet telephony", said David Henry, Director of Product Marketing for Netgear's Consumer Products.
"By incorporating Broadcom's Intensi-fi technology into our new RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router, we can avoid interference and maximise wireless performance and range, delivering to our customers faster downloads, high-quality media streaming and better online gaming".
Broadcom Intensi-fi technology enables a better multimedia experience by boosting the performance and range of Wi-Fi products.
Routers with Broadcom's single-chip 802.11n solution (the BCM4322) and Gigabit Ethernet processor (the BCM4705) provide ample bandwidth for several HD video streams, plus voice over IP (VoIP) calls, gaming and other multimedia applications.
To maintain high-definition video connections throughout a home, Intensi-fi chips use a receiver architecture that provides the high-quality radio signals.
As a result, manufacturers can achieve superior performance with a 2x2 antenna configuration, without incurring additional costs for more antennas.
Intensi-fi technology also offers more 5GHz channel options than competing 802.11n chipsets.
Broadcom became the first 802.11n supplier to receive FCC certification for dynamic frequency selection (DFS), a technique used to detect and avoid incumbent radar systems, such as military and weather radar, in the 5GHz band.
The certification of Broadcom's 802.11n reference design (BCM94705LMP) enables partners to implement DFS and provide Wi-Fi users with fifteen additional channels on which to transmit video, voice and data.
Lastly, Intensi-fi solutions use a number of quality of service (QoS) techniques to enhance wireless voice and video applications.
Broadcom's OneDriver software offers certified support for Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM), a set of important QoS features that helps Wi-Fi routers prioritise audio, video and voice traffic on a wireless network.
These features were critical to certifying Broadcom's 802.11n router reference design Windows Vista Premium.
This designation is given to products that meet stringent requirements and deliver a great user experience with devices based on Microsoft's latest operating system.
• Broadcom Corp: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
