Marvell Technology Claims FirstMarvell Technology Claims First

Marvell Technology Group Ltd., a developer of wireless networking chipsets, has made what it claims is the first wireless networking chip that's based solely on the complementary metal oxide semiconductor processing technology.

CMOS, which is the predominant semiconductor processing technology used for high-integration computer chips, typically draws less heat and maintains longer battery life in 802.11 wireless local area networks. Marvell plans to integrate its all-CMOS computer chips into wireless notebook computers, PDAs, and other mobile devices to extend battery life and reduce heat consumption. "Our chips consume about half of the power of competitive chipsets from Agere Systems Inc. or Intersil Corp.," says Bill Windsor, director of marketing for Marvell's wireless chipset product line.

Marvell is also introducing a multifunction radio-frequency chipset that integrates several functions on a single chip, including a frequency synthesizer, a low-noise amplifier, a power amplifier, and a voltage-control oscillator. These functions typically reside on two to five chips, Windsor says. Adding multiple functions to a single chip lets Marvell design smaller circuit boards that enable smaller, more powerful networking applications, Windsor says. Mobile device manufacturers would also be able to make devices in higher volumes because it's easier to make more chips with fewer characteristics.

"Marvell seeks to reduce manufacturing cost, and that translates into lower-cost products for end users," says Joseph Byrne, a principal analyst with Gartner. "Creating more integrated chips lowers costs because manufacturing companies don't have to spend a few bucks here and there to assemble chips on a board."

Marvell is partnering with board manufacturers to sell its radio-frequency multifunction chipset. The board manufacturers would then sell the integrated product to handheld and notebook computer makers. Windsor says a mobile device supplier in Taiwan is slated to introduce in March or April products that use the Marvell chipset.