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Atheros Communications' AR5008 WLAN chipset implements a three-radio MIMO design that delivers six times the throughput of 802.11g and 802.11a/g products at extended range and with greater reliability.
The chipset are among the first to comply with the recently approved by the IEEE 802.11n standard that specifies the use of MIMO (multiple-in, multiple-out) and other advanced wireless technologies. Atheros has two chipsets that address specific markets, which are part of a more comprehensive solution called XSPAN.
The AR5008 delivers up to 300 megabits-per-second (Mbps) physical data rate with real end-user throughput of 150 to 180 Mbps, and achieves, on average, 50 percent greater sustained throughput at range than 2x2 MIMO systems.
XSPAN is based on Atheros' Signal-Sustain Technology (SST), which dramatically increases link robustness and throughput by simultaneously transmitting across three spatially-diverse signal paths. SST processes information from the three receivers simultaneously within the signal processing at the receiver.
Atheros' integration of three complete RF transmit and receive chains into a single chip, together with the inclusion of the SST processing in the baseband, enables unmatched range and robustness at price points comparable to less robust, competitive 2x2 MIMO solutions.
The AR5008 chipsets are Atheros' highest performance wireless LAN solutions to date. The family of products leverages all of the mandatory technical elements contained in the draft 802.11n specification, as well as several optional features.
Enhancements include:
- Video: With real world throughput levels up to 180 Mbps, new wireless routers and gateways featuring XSPAN with Signal-Sustain Technology can accommodate multiple high-definition (HD) streams on a single home network.
- Voice: Single-antenna wireless voice handsets and legacy devices networked to Atheros-based access points achieve range and robustness from Atheros’ triple transmitter architecture. Atheros SST increases the total transmit power and spatial redundancy, ensuring dropout-free coverage.
- Data: Applications ranging from simple network computing to transmission of large data, music or image files is enhanced.
Atheros's AR5008 series of two-chip solutions is based on the triple-radio chip paired with a baseband and Media Access Controller (MAC) chip. The AR5008 series supports PCI and PCIe (PCI Express) host interfaces.
Chipset solutions include two baseband MACs, the AR5416 (PCI host interface) and AR5418 (PCI Express host interface) plus two triple radio chips, the AR2133 (3 Tx, 3 Rx, single-band 2.4 GHz) and AR5133 (3 Tx, 3 Rx, dual-band 2.4/5GHz).
Atheros also provides its customers with end-to-end reference designs for wireless access points and routers, CardBus and Mini Card adapters. This supports many configuration options, including 2x2, 2x3 and 3x3, offering physical data rates up to 600 Mbps and supporting a wide range of market segments and wireless applications.
The new 802.11n draft specification defines several technical elements that Atheros delivers.
- 2.4/5 GHz dual-band operation:
- 40 MHz channel mode operation, packet aggregation and packet bursting:
- Transmit beamforming and maximal ratio combining (MRC)
- Leading Integration
Atheros is currently sampling the AR5008 chipset to its customers. More information is available at www.atheros.com.
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