Broadcom (News - Alert) Corporation, a global supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) for broadband communications, announced the launch of the world's first single-chip dual-band 802.11n solution for universal serial bus (USB) adapters - BCM4323 USB.

 

Built on 65-nanometer (nm) CMOS technology, this single-chip solution enables significantly smaller and cost-effective USB modules (20mm x 52mm) that can be used to connect communication devices to a Wi-Fi network. The solution also features Broadcom’s Accelerange technology that is required to transfer high-definition (HD) content between devices spread over a larger area.

 

"BCM4323-based USB adapters will help many consumers realize the dream of a high-definition digital home by extending wireless connectivity to all kinds of multimedia devices beyond PCs," said Satish Ganesan, product manager for Broadcom's Wireless LAN line of business. "Our new USB solution provides a very small and affordable way for consumers to reap the performance benefits of 802.11n for a variety of data-only and multimedia applications."

 

According to ABI Research (News - Alert), annual shipments of Wi-Fi USB adapters are expected to reach 15 million by 2011. A large part of these will be dual-band 802.11n adapters to meet the requirements of the growing number of consumers using the 5 GHz band for Wi-Fi connectivity through PCs, TVs, set-top boxes and other devices.

 

The BCM4323 works on Broadcom’s Intensi-fi XLR platform with Accelerange technology. This means that USB adapters can use direct packet transmission (DPT) to allow Wi-Fi clients devices to communicate directly, rather than through a wireless router. The technology also allows for devices using 802.11n to communicate with those associated with an 802.11g router, letting consumers enjoy the benefits of 802.11n without the need to upgrade existing infrastructure.

 

The built-in Accelerange technology of the chip significantly increases the coverage area of USB solutions while delivering strong wireless connectivity between Wi-Fi client devices. Employing several standards-based techniques, the technology allows stronger 802.11n throughput over a larger area.

 

Available immediately, the BCM4323 single-chip 802.11n solution would be showcased along with Broadcom’s other new Intensi-fi XLR solutions with Accelerange technology at Computex 2008 in Taiwan.