NewLogic introduces the SmartSplit Architecture. The optimized HW & SW partitioning of the WiLD(TM) 802.11 WLAN IP family enables new handheld applications

Sophia Antipolis, France - October 09th, 2002 - NewLogic, a leading supplier of intellectual property (IP) cores for wireless systems, today presented its unique SmartSplit architecture for WLAN systems. The availability and delivery of the 802.11a/b/g MAC and the 802.11b Modem of its WiLD family enables a new class of low power WLAN applications. The WiLD family consists of all IP building blocks required for a fully integrated single chip CMOS solution designed for high performance, low power and 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 technology standard has the strongest momentum to become the main standard for corporate internal wireless LAN networks.

The bandwidth of 802.11b standard is 11 Mbit/sec and operates at 2.4 GHz Frequency. The successors of this current 802.11b standard are 802.11a and 802.11g (54 Mbit/sec) and are designed to be of a faster speed. While 802.11a and 802.11g standards and the technology behind them will be in greater use in the future, 802.11b is here today, and many companies and even individuals are deploying and using it now. In fact, many major computer manufacturers are now supporting built in wireless 802.11 capabilities and many new laptops are being built with an internal wireless antenna.

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

The licensable and silicon independent WiLD 802.11a/b/g MAC core, including the protocol software, is an integral part of NewLogic's Wireless LAN WiLD IP product family. Combined with the modem cores of the WiLD family or with a third party modem core, it allows customers to quickly develop a high performance and cost effective multi standard Wireless LAN SoC. The WiLD 802.11a/b/g MAC is also the industry's most complete platform, with the lowest gate count and lowest power consumption.

In terms of completeness, it offers multimode capability for 802.11a, b and g; the signal processing is included. AES and Reed-Solomon Hardware engines are also available for Security (802.11i) and Quality of Service (802.11e) support.

The SmartSplit Architecture is a unique partitioning of 802.11 hardware and software that dramatically reduces the processing load of the host processor as well as the power consumption of the overall WLAN system.

SmartSplit also reduces WLAN power consumption significantly. It thereby enables embedding 802.11 WLAN in handheld devices such as PDAs and Smart phones.

In the WiLD 802.11b Modem, ChaSE 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. Together with ARICTM Analog and Radio Impairment Compensation the modem realizes the best system performance at the lowest cost, as the expensive accuracy on the analog/RF side is offset by low cost digital compensation of, for example, the IQ, Timing and Frequency Offset.

"The SmartSplit Architecture redefines hardware software partitioning of WLAN systems", said Michel Eftimakis, Principal Wireless Systems Engineer & WiLD HW project leader of NewLogic. "It minimized host processing requirements to an extent that WLAN can now be embedded into systems that do not have the processing power of a PC."

Besides the 802.11a/b/g MAC and 802.11b Modem IP, the WiLD family also comprises of the WiLD 802.11a Modem, the WiLD 802.11a/b/g dual 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). Hardware prototyping platforms, as well as synthesizable Channel Model IP for performance validation are available for IP customers. The WiLD IP can be implemented in PC hosted and embedded solutions for WLAN technology, 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 802.11b 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 ARM (TM) AMBA (TM) bus interface.