Intel revealed its next-generation WiMAX silicon device at WCA 2006 today, a dual-mode chipset that will work in both 802.16d and 802.16e modes.
Intel Mobility Group Vice President Scott Richardson said that the second generation WiMAX chipset—codenamed Rosedale 2—is a starting point for a broader view of what the semiconductor company sees as the future of mobile WiMAX. The new device will be bit compatible with its predecessor, Rosedale, and will be the first to integrate Intel’s global WiMAX radio chip. According to Unstrung News, Rosedale 2 is meant for use in residential gateways in modems, but Intel is also exploring its use in picocell base stations.
Rosedale 2 comes quickly on the heels of Intel’s first-generation WiMAX silicon device Rosedale, which began shipping late last summer. Rosedale integrates a 256-channel OFDM modem that is capable of supporting channel bandwidths of up to 10 MHz. Intel is ultimately working to develop a solution that is capable of supporting bandwidths of up to 30 MHz.
Richardson said that Rosedale 2 addresses more than one issue that Intel believes may be a hindrance to the advancement and adoption of WiMAX. Rosedale 2 is meant to drive the cost reduction of WiMAX devices to fit with market prices set by DSL and cable modems. And since the dual-mode chipset supports the bridging of multiple modes, there is an investment protection for the service providers who are beginning to deploy next-generation broadband.
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