The Intensi-fi wireless local-area network (WLAN) chip sets comply with the
IEEE 802.11n draft specification. Intensi-fi technology incorporates all mandatory
elements of the draft specification and can be software-upgraded once the standard
is finalized. The technology supports multiple simultaneous data (or "spatial")
streams over multiple transmit and receive antennas to provide data rates of
over 300 Mbits/s and more robust coverage than legacy 802.11 products, which
use one transmitter and one receiver to support a single data stream. The Intensi-fi
family initially includes four devices. The BCM4321 media access controller
(MAC) provides physicallayer rates of over 300 Mbits/s and interfaces to PCI,
Cardbus, and PCI-Express hosts. The BCM2055 802.11 radio integrates multiple
2.4- and 5-GHz radios to support simultaneous spatial streams with 2x2, 3x3,
or 4x4 antenna configurations. The BCM4704 wireless network processor provides
advanced routing/bridging capabilities. And, the BCM4705 next-generation wireless
network processor supports simultaneous operation of 2.4- and 5-GHz radios and
integrates a Gigabit Ethernet MAC to enable greater than 100-Mbit/s throughput
between draft 802.11n and Ethernet networks. All of the chips are now sampling.
Contact the company for volume pricing.
Broadcom Corp.
www.broadcom.com