[CUWiN-Dev] Atheros: Single-chip WAP.

[Sascha Meinrath]

Thought this would interest folks:

http://atheros.com/news/AR5007AP-G.html

--Sascha

***

Press Release

Atheros Communications Launches World’s Most Integrated Single-Chip 802.11g 
Access Point Solution

Cost-Efficient WLAN Technology Increases Accessibility of Home/SOHO Wireless 
Networking

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 14, 2005 – Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: 
ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced the 
most integrated single-chip wireless LAN (WLAN) solution for access point and 
router products. The Atheros AR5007AP-G, a design breakthrough in WLAN, features 
a complete 802.11b/g wireless access point system on a chip. This compact and 
cost-effective solution combines the wireless network processor, media access 
controller (MAC), baseband, and all radio functions up to the antenna in a 
single silicon chip.

With the AR5007AP-G, Atheros continues its leadership in addressing the market 
demand for low-cost, standard 802.11g access points and routers. The company has 
integrated many of the discrete components contained in its previous generation 
design. The new AR5007AP-G offers a total component reduction of 40 percent 
versus the Atheros’ AR5006AP-G access point solution, which has led the market 
for total bill-of-materials (BOM) integration.

802.11g devices represent 80 percent of the current WLAN market based on IDC’s 
latest unit forecast[1], and are expected to account for over two-thirds of the 
market next year. Atheros’ advanced single-chip solutions reduce the cost of 
implementing 802.11g Wi-Fi® in networking products for homes and small 
businesses, which should advance widespread adoption of personal wireless LANs.

The Atheros AR5007AP-G offers many enhanced features, such as support for IEEE 
802.11i security and 802.11e quality of service (QoS) specifications. 
Additionally, the solution supports Atheros XR® (eXtended Range) and JumpStart 
for Wireless™ technologies. Atheros XR provides double the range of standard 
802.11g devices to eliminate dead spots in homes and small businesses. The 
JumpStart technology provides easy WLAN setup and security and is compatible 
with emerging simple configuration solutions from major industry leaders 
including Intel and Microsoft.

“We expect that 802.11g products will continue to make up over half of the 
wireless LAN market over the next two years,” said Celeste Crystal, 
semiconductor research analyst at IDC. “The arrival of this advanced, 
highly-integrated single-chip WLAN solution to the market will enable 
inexpensive feature-rich wireless LAN products for the consumer and corporate 
market segments.”

A greatly reduced bill-of-material (BOM) is achieved while maintaining excellent 
product performance. Some of the key WLAN components that have been integrated 
onto Atheros’ newest single-chip include an on-chip power amplifier, low noise 
amplifiers (LNA), antenna switch and transmit/receive filtering. Additionally, 
the Atheros AR5007AP-G chip requires 100-150 fewer external components than 
competing solutions.  The high level of integration enables the use of a lower 
cost 2-layer printed circuit board (PCB) and eliminates the need for any 
external RF shielding – further reducing the AP BOM . .

“Atheros’ advances in single-chip integration significantly reduce the cost and 
complexity of our customers’ highest volume 802.11g access points and routers” 
said Todd Antes, vice president of marketing for Atheros. “We continue to 
innovate on the entry-level as well as the mid- and high-tiers of the wireless 
LAN product spectrum to enable our customers to build end products that capture 
both market share and mind share.”

Atheros AR5007AP-G pricing and availability

Atheros is currently in volume production with the AR5007AP-G with a list price 
of $12.50 in 10,000-unit quantities.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a leading developer of semiconductor system solutions 
for wireless communications products. Atheros combines its wireless systems 
expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital 
semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are 
manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor 
(CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by a broad base of leading 
customers, including personal computer and networking equipment manufacturers. 
For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info at atheros.com.

-- 
Sascha Meinrath
Policy Analyst    *  Project Coordinator  *  President
Free Press       *** CU Wireless Network *** Acorn Active Media
www.freepress.net *  www.cuwireless.net   *  www.acornactivemedia.com