Broadcom combines three WiFi channels for wireless HD video

Intensi-fi 65nm single chip supports 450Mbit/s 3x3 802.11n WiFi
By Nick Flaherty www.flaherty.co.uk

In a bid to make wireless video work in the home, Broadcom has developed a single-chip 802.11n dual-band 3x3 wireless solution that achieves 450 Mbit/s data rates in client devices and over 600Mbit/s throughput (TCP/IP) in 3x3 AP/router configurations. By combining the MIMO wireless capacity with features to improve range, Broadcom's new Intensi-fi chip enables several wireless multimedia applications, including high-definition (HD) video streaming, back-up, storage, multiplayer gaming, audio streaming, wireless printing, and photo sharing.
The BCM4331 802.11n solution delivers full 3x3 performance with three transmitting and three receiving streams of data in either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency bands. An increased number of data streams and antennas results in faster speeds, longer range, fewer dropped connections, and better overall wireless coverage. The BCM4331 is now sampling and is being demonstrated at this week's 30th annual COMPUTEX in Taipei, Taiwan.
A growing number of consumers want the ability to instantly access over-the-top (OTT) broadband video delivered through internet protocol (IP) directly to their TVs. ABI Research forecasts the connected TV market to exceed 117 million units by 2014.

"The expanding use of video over Wi-Fi in game consoles, Blu-ray players, and TVs will impose new requirements for Wi-Fi access points," said Phil Solis, practice director for Wireless Connectivity at ABI Research. "3x3 Wi-Fi solutions provide the bandwidth and quality of service necessary to stream HD video reliably throughout an entire home, share media content with wireless enabled consumer electronics devices, and utilize Internet-based applications. This is important as consumers migrate to services that require their entertainment devices to be connected and to support their lifestyles wirelessly."

With the Intensi-fi system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution HD video content can be downloaded to a notebook computer 50% percent faster than existing 802.11n 2x2 technologies.
The BCM4331 three-stream architecture employs range-extending features to deliver the highest bandwidths to all corners of the home.
The key features include:

• 3 antenna technology with Broadcom's advanced receiver architecture boosts range by up to 40 percent when compared to existing 802.11n devices
• A low density parity check (LDPC) code further improves the reliability of the wireless link, helping insure media gets properly distributed even in congested environments
• Single-chip dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) three stream radio, three antenna 3x3 architecture
• Data rates up to 450 Megabits per second (Mbps)
• Range extension features enabling the delivery of video, data, and media throughout the house
• LDPC code and space-time block coding (STBC) for improving overall range and coverage
• Advanced receiver architecture for industry leading throughput at range
• Best-in-Class Client STA solution
• Bluetooth combo-ready with InConcert Technology for Wireless Coexistence
• InConcert Maestro and Wi-Fi Direct for easy video streaming between PCs and TVs
• High performance integrated dual-band AP/router solutions
• Lowest cost two-chip simultaneous dual band 3x3 AP solution with the BCM4718 and BCM4331 for 11n 2.4GHz data and 5GHz HD video distribution applications
• Industry-leading simultaneous 3-stream throughput using the 600MHz, MIPS74k BCM4706 processor
• 65 nanometer CMOS PCIe design that promotes integration and low power consumption
• Broadcom's OneDriver software support and WHQL certified driver support for Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP and Linux

"We are driving the growth of the wireless market by introducing a solution that addresses the need for performance across multiple demanding applications," said Kevin Mukai, Senior Product Line Manager for Broadcom's WLAN line of business. "Broadcom's BCM4331 3x3 802.11n further enhances the overall user experience by providing substantially improved throughput and range. As a result, products using Broadcom's newest Intensi-fi solution will better address the growing consumer demand to share and distribute HD video content between multiple screens throughout the home, thereby improving the utility of every display device."

Related articles

• Seven tips for going wireless (slideshare.net)
• Freescale and Atheros Collaborate on High-Performance Solutions for Enterprise Wi-Fi Access Points (eon.businesswire.com)
• Ralink Demonstrates Next Generation Wireless Solutions at COMPUTEX (eon.businesswire.com)
• Ralink Unveils Next Generation Dual-Band 2x2 802.11n/Bluetooth 3.0+HS Combo Module (eon.businesswire.com)