Conexant Expands Low-Power Wi-Fi Offering with Highly Integrated Solution for Embedded Applications
Monday June 5, 8:01 am ET
Third-Generation Chip Supports Key Cellular Handset Interfaces and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Coexistence
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2006--Conexant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT - News), a worldwide leader in semiconductor solutions for broadband communications and the digital home, expanded its low-power Wi-Fi® product offering with a third-generation 802.11b/g device that is targeted at battery-powered handheld products with embedded wireless networking capabilities such as cell phones, smartphones, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) handsets, cameras, MP3 players, gaming consoles and global positioning systems. The CX53121 integrates wireless local area network (LAN) functionality, power management and other components into a 68 square millimeter single-chip solution, resulting in a significant reduction in the total radio footprint. The low-power device also includes industry-standard secure digital input output (SDIO) and serial peripheral interfaces (SPI), which allow handheld device makers to achieve higher system throughput while reducing system cost and product size. Coexistence with Bluetooth devices is also supported.
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"The enhanced level of integration in the CX53121 represents an important advancement in wireless LAN technology for handheld platforms, and aligns with our strategy of delivering advanced solutions for low-power, embedded applications," said Chee Kwan, senior vice president and general manager of Conexant's Wireless Networking business. "Our expertise in system solutions enabled us to deliver a cost-effective, single-chip solution with the performance, features and compact footprint that handheld system designers require."
The CX53121 includes a high-performance radio that delivers output power as high as 19.5dBm, and sensitivity below -90dBm, resulting in throughput and range performance comparable to any typical 802.11b/g client networking device. The radio design has been optimized for cellular coexistence for all of the legacy cellular bands and GPS, as well as new cellular bands that are beginning their build-out. It also has support for a single, integrated antenna that supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio systems, which can simplify the design process, and reduce board size and bill-of-material costs.
Software support is provided for many popular application processors and operating systems, including Windows CE, Windows Mobile and Linux. In addition, the CX53121 delivers exceptional throughput performance for SDIO and SPI.
The device also includes Conexant's PowerSave technology, which provides an intelligent power control capability, an industry-leading low power standby mode, and reduces peak and overall power consumption for extended battery life. This innovative technology, along with other proprietary power saving techniques, allows for the optimization of total system power, while remaining compatible with all 802.11-compatible network devices. It delivers a deep sleep current as low as 10 microamps, and average current consumption during power save of 0.6 milliamps while maintaining association with the network.
Conexant is a pioneer in wireless networking and offers an extensive suite of solutions, including IEEE 802.11 single and dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) chipsets, firmware, software, drivers and reference designs. These wireless networking solutions are used by the world's leading telecom, networking and computer companies in a wide range of products, including access points/routers, client cards, desktops, notebooks, PDAs, digital cameras, MP3 players and other handheld networking appliances. They are available as standalone solutions or offered in conjunction with Conexant's, DSL and cable modem semiconductor system solutions, voice over IP (VoIP) chipsets and home network processors.
Packaging and Availability
The CX53121 is fabricated using 90 nanometer CMOS technology, and packaged in a low profile ball grid array (LFBGA). Development kits and sample quantities are available now, with volume quantities scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2006.
About Conexant
Conexant's innovative semiconductor solutions are driving broadband communications and digital home networks worldwide. The company has leveraged its expertise and leadership position in modem technologies to enable more Internet connections than all of its competitors combined, and continues to develop highly integrated silicon solutions for broadband data and media processing networks.
Key products include client-side xDSL and cable modem solutions, home network processors, broadcast video encoders and decoders, digital set-top box components and systems solutions, and dial-up modems. Conexant's suite of networking components includes a leadership portfolio of IEEE 802.11-compliant WLAN chipsets, software and reference designs, as well as solutions for applications based on HomePlug® and HomePNA(TM). The company also offers a complete line of asymmetric and symmetric DSL central office solutions, which are used by service providers worldwide to deliver broadband data, voice, and video over copper telephone lines.
Conexant is a fabless semiconductor company with an annual revenue run-rate in excess of $900 million. The company has approximately 2,500 employees worldwide, and is headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif. To learn more, please visit www.conexant.com. |
