AfterDawn: Tech news

Broadcom to demonstrate 1Gbps Wi-Fi chips at CES next week

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 05 Jan 2012 1:16 User comments (2)

Broadcom to demonstrate 1Gbps Wi-Fi chips at CES next week

OEM chip maker Broadcom got a jump on next week's CES in Las Vegas with the announcement of new Wi-Fi chips capable of speeds over 1 gigabit per second.
They are based on the upcoming 802.11ac specification, which Broadcom is also referring to as 5G WiFi. The standard is expected to be finalized later this year. Broadcom will be demonstrating the technology at CES next week and providing samples to some OEM partners.

In addition to increased speed, Broadcom says the new technology, combined with their 40nm manufacturing process, results in lower power consumption for transmissions at 802.11n speeds.

This is largely related to the increased bandwidth which allows the radio to be on for less time. Of course, if you are transferring data between 802.11ac and 802.11n devices, the bandwidth advantage won't apply.

Broadcom will be making 802.11ac chips in a variety of configurations. Some will utilize a PCIe interface for PCs and routers, offering speeds up to either 1.3Gbps or 867Mbps across two channels. Others will interface with USB for devices like game consoles, set-top boxes, and TVs, offering up to 433Mbps on a single channel.



In recent years, the large number of consumer electronics and mobile devices utilizing wireless network connections in the home has pushed the capabilities of existing wireless networking equipment to its limits. This is particularly true when it comes to HD video applications.

As this trend continues, improving Wi-Fi technology is essential to the evolution of everything from Smart TVs and set-top boxes to smartphones and tablets.

Previous Next  

2 user comments

15.1.2012 14:09

This is extremely nice & orgasmic for intranets, but is bupkiss for really anything else I suppose. Internet providers tout faster download rates & stroke their customers like crazy, but I'm getting the run around every time I wave a bunch of cash under their noses, so something is definitely up.

Case in point; I have 20mps currently, but supposedly can have 50mps. Obviously given the previous comment, I'm told I can't get it. Yet an hour to the north of me in a very metropolitan area, civilian (non business related) customers can get at least 100mps service from a provider I have yet to recognize.

Now I understand demographics & rednecks to real socialite scales, I get it, but you can understand the confusion when it blatantly advertised on the provider I am purchasing the service from.

Oh technology... you vex me so.

26.1.2012 13:44

1GBs wifi is LOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGG overdue! Now this is exciting! Wireless G speeds and N speeds are such an understated scam. When I transfer files on my wireless G at home, they take a long time.

This is indeed exciting news.

Comments have been disabled for this article.

News archive