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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Broadcom Radically Simplifies the Wi-Fi(R) Setup Experience and Greatly Improves Wireless Coverage
IRVINE, Calif., May 3 -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM - News), a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor solutions enabling broadband communications, today announced two new solutions that will significantly improves wireless connectivity for consumers who use 54g(TM)-based equipment in their Wi-Fi® networks. The first is an intelligent software tool that radically simplifies wireless LAN network installation and automatically configures security settings. The second is a highly integrated hardware module that can increase the range of 54g(TM)-based wireless LAN devices by up to 50 percent. Broadcom's new solutions will enable next generation 54g(TM) products not only to deliver higher performance wireless LAN access, but also to alleviate the usability concerns of many first-time Wi-Fi users.
Broadcom is building on its maximum performance 54g(TM) solutions with innovative features that minimize complexity and optimize wireless coverage," said Jeff Abramowitz, Senior Director of Marketing for Broadcom's Home & Wireless Networking Business Unit. "Because Broadcom supplies hardware and software for a wide range of wireless LAN infrastructure products, PCs and other devices, we have a unique ability to deliver system-level solutions that will greatly improve the Wi-Fi user experience for both technology novices and enthusiasts."
Wi-Fi Just Got a Whole Lot Easier
Installing a Wi-Fi network and setting up security features can be confusing to consumers with no previous knowledge of networking terms and protocols. To eliminate the hassles of network configuration, Broadcom has developed SecureEZSetup(TM) software, a unique two-step setup wizard that dramatically simplifies network installation and automates configuration of 54g(TM) PCs, adapters, access points and routers. Whereas typical wireless LAN setup requires a user to manually enter at least four settings for a one-device network, the SecureEZSetup software automatically configures these settings for the user. Furthermore, SecureEZSetup eliminates the need for complex access point configuration -- allowing even novice Wi-Fi users to set up their wireless networks with a few clicks of a mouse.
SecureEZSetup configures both the Service Set Identifier (SSID) and Wi-Fi Protected Access(TM) (WPA), a standards-based security feature built into all Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) products. Driven by the Wi-Fi Alliance, WPA provides robust encryption and authentication techniques for Wi-Fi networks. "WPA Personal" is the strongest security mode available for home wireless LANs. It encrypts data and limits network access to devices with matching passwords (also known as keys).
"Wireless LANs are an increasingly popular way for people to share broadband connections throughout the home, but as many as 80 percent of wireless customers are not using the security features built into their Wi-Fi products," said Will Strauss, President and Principal Analyst of Forward Concepts. "By automating Wi-Fi installation and security, Broadcom's SecureEZSetup is a very simple and useful tool that will make wireless networking accessible to even first-time technology consumers."
Broadcom's SecureEZSetup is an overlay to WPA that eliminates the manual password entry previously required on each wireless device to enable its security features. The SecureEZSetup wizard prompts the Wi-Fi user with two questions, the answers to which can be easily remembered by the user. The client device then automatically configures the SecureEZSetup-enabled access point or wireless gateway, registers the PC on the network, and installs WPA keys at both ends of the connection. Once registered, 54g(TM)-based devices can automatically access the wireless network and send/receive encrypted data without additional configuration or password entry.
SecureEZSetup is an end-to-end solution that is expected to appear in leading brands of notebook PCs, wireless LAN gear and peripheral devices. Products configured with SecureEZSetup will be interoperable with Wi-Fi CERTIFIED products from other vendors, although those other products will require traditional configuration techniques to enable WPA.
Highly Integrated Power Amplifier Module Improves Range
To help users stay connected to their wireless network at greater distances, Broadcom has specified a unique power amplifier module that increases the range of 54g(TM)-based devices. The new 54g(TM) power amplifier module is a highly integrated device that combines all critical wireless LAN radio frequency (RF) components -- including the power amplifier, power detector, switches and filters -- into a single chip-sized module. Such integration enables Broadcom's hardware partners to increase the output power and improve signal quality of wireless LAN devices. As a result, PCs and other mobile devices integrating the module can maintain wireless connections at distances up to 50 percent farther from a 54g(TM) access point or router.
This 54g(TM) power amplifier module also lowers implementation costs and accelerates time-to-market for device manufacturers. The integrated board drastically reduces the number of off-chip components, reducing the manufacturer's bill-of-material (BOM) costs by up to 30 percent. In addition, the standardized module maintains the quality of RF components and reduces printed circuit board (PCB) complexity, which increases the consistency of wireless devices and trims manufacturers' testing time.
Availability
SecureEZSetup and a customized software development kit are currently available to Broadcom's PC OEM, retail and broadband modem partners as part of the latest OneDriver(TM) software release. Hardware vendors are expected to offer the setup wizard in many of their upcoming products and to enable customers to upgrade existing hardware with a simple software download. The 54g(TM) power amplifier module is currently being designed into products from leading manufacturing partners.
About 54g(TM)
54g(TM) is Broadcom's implementation of the IEEE 802.11g standard, the new mainstream Wi-Fi technology for homes, businesses and public hot spots. 54g(TM) technology provides the industry's best combination of speed, reach and security, and is compatible with the 100 million 802.11g and 802.11b devices installed to date. 54g(TM) technology can be found in the leading brands of wireless LAN products and notebook PCs, including Acer, Apple, Belkin, Buffalo, Cisco/Linksys, Dell, eMachines, Gateway, HP/Compaq, Microsoft and Motorola. As of February 2004, 71 percent of all 802.11g network product shipped through U.S. retail were based on Broadcom 54g(TM) technology, according to NPD Techworld, a division of The NPD Group.
Broadcom's AirForce(TM) Wireless LAN Product Family
Broadcom's high performance WLAN product line includes 54g(TM), the world's most popular 54 Mbps Wi-Fi technology. In addition to transceivers that provide IEEE 802.11g and dual-band 802.11a/g solutions, Broadcom integrates wireless network processors, communications technologies and OneDriver software solutions into reference designs that speed customer time to market. Broadcom partners are developing 54g(TM) client solutions, access points, routers, cable modems, DSL modems, Bluetooth® solutions and GPRS cellular products. Broadcom is also shipping AirForce One(TM), the world's first single-chip wireless LAN solution that enables Wi-Fi connectivity in pocket-sized mobile devices.
All the wireless chipsets in the AirForce product line enjoy unique performance advantages that improve throughput and range via Broadcom's SmartRadio(TM) technology. In addition to advanced signal processing techniques, the all-CMOS solutions are capable of self-calibrating based on usage temperature and other environmental conditions, reconfiguring constantly for optimum performance. Competing radios are statically calibrated at the point of manufacture and are unable to adapt to changing environmental influences.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor solutions that enable broadband communications and networking of voice, video and data services. We design, develop and supply complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions incorporating digital, analog, and radio frequency (RF) technologies, as well as related hardware and software system- level applications. Our diverse product portfolio addresses every major broadband communications market, and includes solutions for digital cable and satellite set-top boxes; high definition television (HDTV); cable and DSL modems and residential gateways; high-speed transmission and switching for local, metropolitan, wide area and storage networking; home and wireless networking; cellular and terrestrial wireless communications; Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway and telephony systems; broadband network and security processors; and SystemI/O(TM) server solutions. These technologies and products support our core mission: Connecting everything®.
Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and may be contacted at 1-949-450-8700 or at www.broadcom.com.
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