Chip set provides wideband WiFi aggregator

Engim's multichannel, multiband EN-300 chip set takes a wideband approach to WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), capturing and digitizing the RF spectrum to isolate and suppress interference for access points simultaneously communicating over multiple channels of 802.11a/b/g (Picture).

One method of increasing wireless bandwidth is to support multiple channels. Colocated single-channel access points face the challenge of adjacent-channel interference, in which harmonics from near channels can render far channels indecipherable. By supporting multiple channels on the same chip, the EN-300 can know about activity on all channels to compensate and suppress self-interference from adjacent channels. It can also manage bandwidth and efficiency by intelligently associating clients to various channels based on signal integrity, 802.11 standard, traffic type, and traffic load.

The chip set comprises 2.4- and 5-GHz RF front ends, an analog-baseband processor, and a digital-baseband processor with a media-access controller. Using three chips, you can support three channels of 802.11b/g or 802.11a. With five chips—one digital baseband, two analog basebands, and both RF front ends—you can support three channels of any combination. Nine chips give you six channels of 802.11a and three channels of 802.11b/g.

The device requires one antenna for transmitting all channels and another antenna for receiving all channels. Power consumption is 5W for a subsystem, including power amplifiers. Price for the EN-300 is less than $100 (small quantities). Chip sets for 2.4 GHz are currently available for sampling, and 5-GHz-channel support will become available in June.

Engim, 1-978-206-3400, www.engim.com.