Broadcom has announced an 802.11g wireless network processor, the AirForce BCM4712.
The system-on-a-chip integrates a 200MHz MIPS32 processor, a 54g MAC/baseband, 10/100 Ethernet and USB interfaces and the BCM2050 2.4 GHz radio. The chip enables secure 802.11g access points (APs), routers and gateways to be produced in smaller form factors and at lower costs than previously possible.
The chip is the successor to the BCM4702, which is the best-selling dedicated wireless network processor in the industry, the company said.
"By integrating network processing and wireless LAN functionality into a single chip, the BCM4712 enables advanced and affordable wireless APs for business, residential and hotspot deployments," said Jeff Abramowitz, senior director of marketing for Broadcom's Wireless LAN Products. "Our advanced wireless network processors are an integral part of our wireless LAN product portfolio and the success of these products highlights the industry transition to application-specific wireless LAN chips."
The BCM4712 handles AP, routing and gateway functions at full IEEE 802.11g 54Mbps speeds while also providing backwards compatibility to 802.11b devices.
The BCM4712 enables manufacturers
to achieve lower costs and form factors for APs as small as a 2¡Ñ3-inch
business card. The wireless network processor includes hardware-based AES
acceleration for upgradeability to the future IEEE 802.11i security standard
and supports a rich software feature set. This will enable network equipment
vendors to offer a new generation of cost attractive, full-featured 54g wireless
routers and access points aimed at small business and residential customers.
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