802.11a, b, and g combine in two products

Two new chip sets from Resonext and TI combine 802.11a, b, and g for 54-Mbps data rates over both the 2.4- and the 5.2-GHz bands. Resonext Communications offers the RN5220 series with separate radio and baseband ICs (Picture). The company built the device on a 1.8V, 0.18-micron CMOS process. It features a zero-IF architecture with integrated low-noise amplifiers, filters, a PLL, synthesizers, and voltage-controlled oscillators, eliminating the need for external filters. AccuChannel equalization increases the SNR to 4 dB, and a flexible MAC (media-access controller) supports adaptability to changing security specs, including AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), RC4 (Ron's Code 4) for WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), and 802.1x authentication. The MAC also supports differentiation, various quality implementations, and dynamic frequency-selection and transmitting-power control. Power consumption is 200 mW in both transmitting and receiving modes. The device is currently available for sampling and is scheduled for volume production during this quarter. Price is approximately $35 (volume quantities).

(Since press time, RF Micro Devices, www.rfmd.com, purchased Resonext, and the part number is now RF5420.)

Texas Instruments' new TNETW1130 802.11a/b/g chip set supports AES and WEP and will support WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) using TKIP and 802.1x. The quality-of-service engine supports the EDCF (enhanced distributed-coordination function) and HCF (hybrid-coordination functions) that the 802.11e specifies for enabling latency-sensitive applications, such as voice. Other features include roaming between a and b networks, firmware upgradability, reference designs, and development platforms. The device is currently available for sampling, and the bill-of-materials cost should be less than $28 for an 802.11a/g Cardbus implementation.

Resonext Communications, 1-408-436-3939, www.resonext.com.

Texas Instruments, 1-800-336-5236, www.ti.com.