Quantenna Launches World's First 802.11ac Gigabit-Wireless Solution for Retail Wi-Fi Routers and Consumer Electronics

New 802.11ac Solution Builds on 4x4 MIMO Foundation to Enable 2 Gbps Wireless Routers; Reference Designs Available Now for Early Customer Engagements

Fremont, Calif., Nov. 15, 2011 -- Quantenna Communications, Inc., a leader in ultra-reliable Wi-Fi networking for whole-home entertainment, today introduced the QAC2300 chipset, the world's first gigabit-speed IEEE 802.11ac wireless local-area networking (WLAN) solution. With 4x4 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, the breakthrough product brings best-in-class wireless broadband capabilities to bandwidth-intensive retail and consumer electronics applications. The technology is optimized for a variety of retail consumer electronics products including wireless routers, access points, and high-end consumer electronics devices.

The QAC2300 two-chip solution includes a new 4x4 MIMO digital baseband chip that supports the latest 802.11ac specifications, combined with Quantenna's shipping radio frequency (RF) chip, which already supports 802.11ac. Quantenna was the first company to develop 4x4 Wi-Fi MIMO technology and has used this high-performance foundation to deliver the first 802.11ac wireless LAN solution. By introducing not just the first 802.11ac technology, but also enabling it with 4x4 MIMO, Quantenna extends its lead over other Wi-Fi competitors who have yet to ship 4x4 MIMO technology.

Quantenna has led the service provider segment with its 802.11n 4x4 technology for whole-home video distribution, leveraging its innovations in MIMO and beamforming technologies. The addition of the industry's first 802.11ac solution forges new ground, expanding Quantenna's business into the retail segment. By combining its 4x4 MIMO capabilities with 802.11ac, Quantenna is helping retail and consumer electronics vendors speed time to market for products that will deliver gigabit-wireless speeds during 2012.

“The QAC2300 for retail applications complements our existing QHS71x product line, which is optimized for service providers,” said Dr. Sam Heidari, chief executive officer for Quantenna. “This new 802.11ac solution is an industry first that reinforces our leadership role in high-throughput wireless technology, and extends it into new retail and consumer electronics market segments.”

According to the In-Stat report, “Wireless LAN Market Estimates and Forecast by Device and by Technology 2009-2015,” released in February 2011, 802.11ac-enabled device shipments will soar to nearly 1 billion by 2015. The 802.11ac standard expands on the broad frequency bands and multiple-antenna capabilities of 802.11n to deliver the speed and performance that consumers need from retail devices, while retaining backward-compatibility with 802.11n.

Quantenna's New 802.11ac Reference Design

Quantenna's new QAC2300-RDK reference design was developed to support the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ac standard and includes schematics, layout, and design guidelines. Building on Quantenna's existing RF front-end chip that already supports 802.11ac, it enables rapid time to market with 2 Gbps dual-band, dual-concurrent operation (5 GHz 802.11ac plus 2.4 GHz 802.11n) using PCI-e or dual RGMII interfaces.

Availability

Quantenna's QAC2300-RDK reference design for retail applications is available now to early access customers. Quantenna will be showcasing its 802.11ac chipset at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 10-13, 2012, at the company's suite at the Las Vegas Hilton.

About Quantenna Communications, Inc.

Quantenna Communications, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company developing standards-based 802.11n MIMO chipsets that deliver the highest levels of performance, speed and reliability for wireless networks and devices. Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Quantenna has assembled a management and engineering team with a long track record of start-up success, and is backed by leading venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital, Venrock, Sigma Partners, Southern Cross Venture Partners, DAG Ventures, Swisscom Ventures, Grazia Equity, and Telefónica Digital For additional information, please visit www.quantenna.com.