|
Newsletters
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless Developer Network - Daily News
Visit the WirelessDevNet Symbian DevZone
Today's News |
Yesterday's News |
Submit News |
News-"wireless" Top Stories! |
Around-The-Web
| Wireless DevZones!
SYNAD MERCURY5G DUAL MODE BREAKTHROUGH TO ACCELERATE ADOPTION OF WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS
URL(s): www.wi-fi.com
December 3, 2001 - Reading, UK - Synad Technologies Limited, a fabless chip
start-up focused on wireless networking, today announced Mercury5G, the
world's first complete dual mode chipset, which makes it possible for the
first time to build dual standard wireless local area networks (WLANs).
The Mercury5G chipset will enable a new breed of client interface products
that can connect and interoperate with both the existing 11-megabit WiFi
802.11b networks operating at 2.4GHz and the emerging IEEE 802.11a
54-megabit networks operating at 5GHz.
Mercury5G is based on Synad's patent pending AgileRF architecture, devised
by Synad to deliver interoperability between the two 802.11 standards
without compromising data throughput, range or performance. The AgileRF
architecture enables dynamic monitoring and switching between 802.11a and
802.11b, without loss of connectivity to the user, to whichever access point
provides the optimum service.
"Providing client interoperability between 802.11b and its faster
counterpart 802.11a through a dual standard solution like Synad's AgileRF
will ultimately accelerate the adoption of 5GHz wireless networking," said
Ken Furer, Analyst, IDC.
Mercury5G will enable a PC or laptop to connect to a local wireless network
irrespective of whether it is an 802.11a or 802.11b network. The
breakthrough development means that IT managers no longer face a stark
choice over which wireless standard to deploy. Instead, IT managers can
focus on specifying an effective wireless network configuration combining
the advantages of both standards, confident that users will be able to gain
optimum performance.
From a users perspective Mercury5G will extend the usefulness of mobile
computing, enabling users to gain the advantage of broadband connectivity
offered by 5GHz networks yet be confident of connectivity to wireless
networks in other areas such as the home, airports, hotels and coffee shops,
irrespective of the wireless standard deployed.
Synad is targeting its Mercury5G chipset at computer manufacturers for
mobile PC and PDA applications and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
involved in the market delivery of networking products.
Ultimately Synad believes that Mercury5G will accelerate the adoption of
wireless local area networks by enabling the two standards to interoperate
on the same network and by providing seamless migration between 802.11b and
802.11a.
"Until now the lack of compatibility to 802.11b in current 802.11a products
is hampering adoption of wireless technology. Synad's Mercury5G resolves
this at a stroke, by effectively making the two technologies interoperable,
enabling enterprises to focus on the roll out of wireless networking
technologies," said Mike Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Synad.
Mercury5G Specification
Mercury5G is a highly integrated two-chip solution, comprising a direct
conversion (Zero IF) dual band radio chip and a modem/MAC chip, both
fabricated in low cost CMOS technology. Direct conversion radio avoids
expensive external components associated with other techniques.
Mercury5G uses integrated system memory, enabling a very low cost client
adapter that requires no external flash memory components.
Mercury5G uses optimal partitioning between hardware and software based
functionality. By combining hardware accelerators with a powerful RISC CPU,
Mercury5G is able to deliver the sustained high speed data throughput
demanded yet retain the flexibility needed to adapt to enhancing standards.
Mercury5G will deliver the enhanced MAC functionality that is critical to
the future of enterprise class wireless networks. Powerful security features
include WEP and AES encryption along with support for authentication
protocols. High quality multi media streaming is enabled with Quality of
Service protocols supported by an advanced DMA engine that delivers packet
prioritization.
With advanced spectrum management functions that include Transmit Power
Control (TPC) and Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) Mercury5G offers the
ability to meet harsher spectrum regulatory requirements that prevail in
many parts of the world, as well as reduced power consumption.
Cost and availability
The Mercury5G chipset is priced at $32 per unit in quantities of 10,000
units, and will sample to customers in the second quarter of 2002.
Mercury5G will be fully supported by a comprehensive developers kit,
including reference designs for common configurations such as miniPCI and
CardBus PC Card, software drivers, API's and support tools.
About Synad
Synad Technologies Limited was founded in August 2000 on a vision of
pervasive broadband wireless connectivity through the rapid development of
smart CMOS chips for the wireless networking industry.
Based in the UK, one of the strongest centers in the world for wireless
design, Synad has a growing team of over 45 staff today and is focused on
fulfilling its vision through the development of advanced technologies and
products for Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN).
Synad is a member of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) at
www.wi-fi.com, a vendor led organization, which is striving to develop
compatible wireless networking standards.
|
|
|
|
