Atheros Introduces Single-Chip 802.11g Solution

Atheros Communications introduced a single-chip 802.11g WLAN solution that integrates a Media Access Controller (MAC), baseband processor, and 2.4 GHz radio in a low-cost CMOS package. The new chip represents the company's third-generation 802.11g silicon. It was preceded by a three-chip solution launched in February 2003, and a two-chip solution launched in June 2003. Like the earlier designs, the new chip uses a multi-phase approach to signal processing, which extends the battery life of mobile devices by controlling the power of different sections of the wireless device according to the level of system and network activity. Atheros said this technique allows the chip to consume up to 98% less power than multi-chip WLAN solutions on the market today. It has the same range and throughput as the preceding Atheros multi-chip 802.11g solution. Pricing is $12 in 10,000 volumes. http://www.atheros.com