Moving Towards a Single Chip, Multi Band WLAN Solution NewLogic Releases its Embeddable 802.11a Modem IP Core

Continuing to set the trend in the Wireless LAN IP Market for Single Chip WLAN Solutions - 802.11a Modem from NewLogic now available and ready for delivery.

Santa Clara, USA, 802.11 Planet Conference & Expo - December 3rd, 2002 - NewLogic, a leading supplier of intellectual property (IP) cores for wireless systems, today announced the availability of the 802.11a standard compliant OFDM Modem of its WiLD (TM) family (Wireless LAN IP for LSI Designs). The WiLD IP family consists of all the elements required for a fully integrated single chip CMOS solution designed for high performance at the lowest cost.

The 802.11 Wireless LAN Standard
The 802.11 wireless networking protocol and its related technology promises to dramatically increase the options for connecting to the Internet from mobile computers using wireless LANs running inside corporate campuses, inside homes and in public spaces. In 2000, 802.11b became the standard wireless networking technology for both business and home. The 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) technology standard has the strongest momentum to become the main standard for corporate internal WLAN networks.

The 802.11a standard uses the 5GHz frequency band and thereby avoids the increasingly crowded 2,4GHz license free ISM band, which is used by 802.11b WLAN, Bluetooth, WDCT, Zigbee and other applications. Using OFDM technology, data rates of up to 54Mbit/s are realized in the 5GHz band. Market researchers predict a strong growth of 5GHz systems, which is driven by the need for higher data rates.

The WiLD (TM) Family
WiLD is the name of NewLogic's new 802.11 Wireless LAN IP product family and builds on the success of the BOOST Bluetooth IP core family. The WiLD family is a complete platform for Wireless LAN IC and SOC development.

The released WiLD 802.11a Modem complements the WiLD 802.11a/b/g MAC core as well as the WiLD 802.11b Modem core which both were released earlier this year. The WiLD 802.11a Modem can be combined with the 802.11a/b/g MAC core of the WiLD family or with a third party MACs to create a MAC+Modem combo IC solution. It can also be combined with the 5GHz WiLD CMOS radio on a single piece of silicon, enabling a true single chip integration of a 5GHz WLAN system. Future system splits that combine the RF part with the digital modem while the MAC functions are performed by a host system can also be accommodated.

In the WiLD 802.11a Modem, superior Channel Estimation Technology significantly reduces multipath fading effects and improves range over existing solutions, meaning that WLAN users will receive the highest data rates over much larger distances. The 802.11a Modem is available in two versions: one optimised for the lowest gate count at competitive performance and a version with an extremely low implementation loss at the expense of a slightly higher gate count. Hardware prototyping platforms and a complete RTL test bench are available for IP customers.

"It is great to be able to offer a complete and proven 802.11a Modem core featuring unsurpassed performance and implementation loss", said Dr. Gianmaria Mazzucchelli, General Manager of NewLogic Sophia Antipolis based design center. "A complete RTL test bench for easy SOC integration and comprehensive custom design services for the sensitive Radio-Modem interface translates to significant time-to-market advantages as well as cost reduction for our customers."

Besides the WiLD 802.11a Modem, the WiLD family also comprises of the 802.11a/b/g MAC and 802.11b Modem IP, the WiLD 802.11a/b/g multi band CMOS Radio and is complemented by the WiLD 802.11g Modem and 802.11e/i/h software upgrade options (once the respective standards are ratified). The WiLD IP can be implemented in PC hosted and in embedded situations, such as: Network Interface Cards (NICs), Access Points (Aps), Home Networking Devices, Consumer Electronics (audio, video and games) and Wireless Terminals.

About NewLogic Technologies
NewLogic Technologies, headquartered in Lustenau, Austria, is a leading global supplier of Bluetooth and 802.11 Wireless LAN intellectual property cores as well as IC design services. In addition NewLogic offers IP integration services to help its customers achieve their aggressive time to market goals.

Graphic Caption:

The WiLD 802.11a Modem can easily be connected to NewLogic WiLD 802.11a/b/g MAC through the Burst Processor (BuP) that is part of the WiLD 802.11a/b/g MAC and an ARMTM AMBATM bus interface.

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