Geneva, Switzerland STMicroelectronics announced the STLC4420 a dual-band WiFi device with IEEE802.11a/b/g capability optimized for low power consumption in mobile handsets. A second device, the STLC4550, delivers similar IEEE802.11b/g functionality to the existing STLC4370, which entered volume production early in 2006, but in a significantly smaller package.
The STLC4420 is a WLAN device capable of operating in the 5GHz, as well as the 2.4GHz, frequency bands and supporting both OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) and CCK (Complementary Code Keying) signal modulations. It is designed expressly for mobile platforms, including cellular and WiFi phones, PDAs, laptop computers and cameras, and matches the ultra-low operating power consumption requirements of these applications with a 30W sleep mode.
The device is equipped with intelligent power management, an ARM9-based MAC (Media Access Controller), digital baseband, and ZIF (Zero IF) transceiver.
The STLC4550 shares the features and performance of the dual-band STLC4420, but without the 5GHz IEEE802.11a capability. Its package measures 8.5x8x1.4mm. Both products offer best-in-class integrated WLAN/Bluetooth coexistence, using a PTA (Packet Traffic Arbitration) algorithm, to allow the simultaneous exchange of audio and video or data.
Both devices are supported by key software drivers, firmware, and test suites, optimized for mobile platforms and for operating systems including Symbian, WinMobile, and Linux. Supported reference code is available.
The interface between both devices and their host processor is through a mode selectable SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or SDIO (Secure Digital I/O) interface. System reference clock frequencies of 19.2, 26, 38.4 and 40MHz are accepted.
Engineering samples of both the STLC4420 and STLC4550 WLAN ICs are available now; volume production is planned for Q4 2006. Pricing is $9.00 and $8.50, respectively, for quantities of 100k units.
Click here for more information on the STLC4420.
Click here for more information on the STLC4550
STMicroelectronics, Inc., +1 781-861-2650, www.st.com .
