Atheros Communications, Inc. has launched the AR9287 PCIe and AR9227 PCI, integrated 2-stream 11n solutions that deliver no-compromise, full MIMO transmit and receive performance.

 

The two new designs from Atheros (News - Alert) target the PC and broadband consumer premises equipment (CPE) markets. These designs integrate the MAC/baseband and radio transceiver, two enhanced MIMO power amplifiers and low noise amplifiers, and the transmit/receive switch onto a single chip which in turn enables a new class of 11n products.

 

The Atheros AR9287 single-chip PCIe solution for mid-tier notebook and netbook PCs offers greater performance and value when compared to alternative value-class and mid-tier 11n solutions. It delivers up to 300 Mbps PHY rates in both transmit and receive modes.

 

Since a number of entry-level and mid-tier notebooks and netbooks support peer-to-peer networking applications, transmit performance is as important as receive in order to support simultaneous connections between the PC and a number of clients. The Direct Connect technology from Atheros enables notebooks and netbooks to establish a direct link with each other without the use of an access point.

 

As PCs offering symmetrical performance on transmit and receive offer significant benefits over asymmetrical systems, Atheros' 11n portfolio now offers symmetrical designs as well. These symmetrical designs consist of the Align 1x1, and XSPAN 2x2 single and dual-band configurations.

 

The AR9227 single-chip PCI solution for the broadband networking market has been designed for entry-level and mid-tier DSL, PON and other broadband-enabled APs. It features more than a 50 percent reduction in rest of bill of materials costs when compared to competing 11n 2x2, single-band solutions. This RBOM advantage enables carrier equipment manufacturers to provide customers with robust, wireless-enabled residential gateways that meet the demands for design and cost efficiencies.

 

Atheros' 11n portfolio also contains performance and feature options that address the design requirements of its extensive customer base. In the value-class notebook, netbook, router and CE segments, Atheros features its Align 1-stream, single-band solutions. The XSPAN 2-stream, single-band solutions are provided by Atheros to customers building mid-tier PCs, routers, broadband-enabled gateways and cable modems. For advanced multimedia applications and higher performance platforms in premium PCs, enterprise, retail home networking and CE designs, Atheros utilizes its XSPAN 11n 2-stream dual-band, selectable and dual-concurrent solutions.

 

The new PCIe solution shares Atheros' common software code across its XSPAN portfolio of 1x1, and 2x2 single- and dual-band solutions. While the PCIe solution supports Atheros Direct Connect Technology, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS and Linux operating systems, the PCI solution supports Linux.