7 Wireless Chip Sets Pushed By Atheros7 Wireless Chip Sets Pushed By Atheros

Atheros Communications Inc. has introduced seven chipsets designed for wireless networks of both today and tomorrow. Several of the chipsets work with the 802.11a and 802.11g specifications that promise greater speed and range, respectively, than the 802.11b specification already commonly used in wireless devices and access points.

Chipsets in Atheros' AR5002AP line are used in access points to support wireless LANs. The AR5002AP-2X, in particular, is a universal chipset that can communicate with 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g devices. Each of the three new AR5002 client chipsets consists of two chips, an integrated Media Access Controller plus baseband chip, and high-performance radio chips.

Although chipset technology is generally a step removed from IT purchasers, some analysts believe the emergence of different wireless specifications within 802.11 will begin to determine how IT dollars are invested in wireless technology. Generally, companies looking to buy wireless devices right now aren't requesting specific speeds or range, says IDC analyst Ken Furer. "802.11b is fine for most users for connecting to a broadband network," he says. But investing in support for 802.11a or 802.11g is a way for companies to "future-proof" their investments in wireless technology as the capability to transfer data wirelessly at higher speeds and across a greater number of channels improves.

The 802.11b specification is most common, providing data transfer at 11 megabits per second in the 2.4-GHz band. At the time of its March launch, Intel's Centrino package of Pentium M processor, 855 Chipset Family, and PRO/Wireless 2100 network connection supported only 802.11b. The company plans to broaden support to include 802.11a and, possibly, 802.11g by the end of the year. The 802.11a specification is an extension to 802.11 and provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5-GHz band, while 802.11g provides 20 Mbps in the 2.4-GHz band.

Intel is both a customer and a competitor of Atheros. Although part of Intel's strategy to drum up support for the Centrino package has been to give PC makers money to promote the technology, some PC makers "want the flexibility to choose price and performance of the different wireless components," says Connie Wong, an analyst with Semico Research Corp. Atheros' new chipsets help provide this flexibility.