» This is a hot field. One indication is that we get more input -- and
more interesting, well considered input -- from readers in this
space. The other thing to note is that, in almost every case, readers
see the product as having multiple applications -- many more
than what the manufacturer may have targeted.
(1) ATHEROS COMMUNICATIONS Single-Chip Wireless LAN Solution Targets 802.11a/b/g eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "The AR5006X integrates a media-access controller (MAC), baseband processor, and a high-performance radio with both 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz capabilities in a low-cost digital CMOS design. It can be used in place of traditional two-chip solutions and eliminates the need for up to 24 additional discrete components." Readers say: » "Extremely impressive design combining digital and analog circuitry. Atheros' hardware design is top-notch and is just another example of the committment to continued integration of standards based platforms."
» "According to what I have heard, most of the players in Wifi and Bluetooth are moving to single chip solutions, a difficult transition and this is a key example for a company that has made the majority of its revenues supplying chipsets in this area."
» "While a single chip CMOS implementation of BB and RF is a strong offering, price seems high."
» "The level of integration is good and the price should help move the market."
» "If I were a 802.11 card builder, this product would be very interesting to me. "
» "Seems like a cheap, good chip, but I doubt if it'll be embraced extensively."
» "This sounds like a great product!"
» "An obvious application for this device is WiFi access for PDAs and advanced capability wireless communications units. "
» "Single-chip solution for 802.11a/b/g defintely will give ODM/OEM customers a good choice to cover current wireless trends in the market. The cost will be the major concern."
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) ANALOG DEVICES Analog Devices Looks to Streamline the Cable Set Top Box: New RF Splitter offers Low Noise and Reduces Component Count from 37 to 17 eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "Using the low-noise advantages of SiGe to produce a new four-way signal splitter, the ADA4302-4 offers consistent performance over frequency, with composite second order/composite triple beat (CSO/CTB) of 70dBc/80dBc. " Readers say: » "The significant reduction of discrete components and the increased functionality is a big asset."
» "High perfomance and reduced component count? I have to love anything that drives the cost down on the end product."
» "A good product aimed at a growing market. Would like to see how the splitter impacts STB BOM."
» "Another nice advance in rf technology!"
» "Add VOIP to the list of services that can be fed by this device. I can see other uses such as IP teleconferencing via broadband cable."
» "Insufficient data: 'the ADA4302-4 active RF splitter offers these functions with a 2 dB lower noise figure and 16 dB better CSO...' What are the absolute numbers?"
» "Great product."
USABILITY RANK: 2
(3) ROYAL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS Philips Develops Highly Integrated System Solution to Speed GSM/GPRS Handset Development eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "Nexperia Cellular System Solution 5120 provides a new level of integration compared to the previous generation, Sy.Sol 5110. Reducing the overall component count by 25 to 30 percent, to a total of 75 components, means more available board space for advanced features. " Readers say: » "VLSI is the correct design choice. GSM/GPRS may soon be outdated technology. "
» "Fewer parts is almost always better design practice. What is the cost difference?"
» "Should be economical to use."
» "With the type of work that we are involved in, this may provide an option."
USABILITY RANK: 3
(4) MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS Fine-tuning the wireless basestation: Maxim offers new levels of precision eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "Two integrated RF-detectors and a built-in difference detector allow the MAX2016 to perform VSWR/RL measurements and detect load integrity. On-chip comparators and a +2-VDC reference enable the device to trigger alarm states when power exceeds preset limits. " Readers say: » "Wow, this sounds like it would be a big improvement."
» "This is a very interesting device. I can see many applications ranging from advanced telecommunication systems to data encryption and signal analysis."
USABILITY RANK: 4
(5) ATMEL Cutting the cord: Atmel's new transceiver links up to 10 cordless handsets across 300 m eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "With the launch of its ATR2806 SiGe BiCMOS transceiver IC, Atmel has brought together more than a decade of work in silicon germanium (SiGe) as well as low-IF and integration expertise in this 5th-generation product." Readers say: » "Cute device, it has my interest for personal projects."
» "Now this will be very useful..."
» "Consider TV and film production facilities. Reliable communications between crew members is a must."
» "It will provide some options in relation to space/cost savings."
» "It is an excellent solution that combines very good RF performance as well as high data rate. However, for a small company dedicated to wireless design, this IC could prove very expensive."
USABILITY RANK: 7
(6) PEREGRINE SEMICONDUCTOR CMOS Goes High Power: SP4T and SP6T Antenna Switches Rewrite the Rules for GSM Handsets eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "The PE4263 is a single-pole six-throw (SP6T) RF CMOS switch and the PE4261 is a single-pole four-throw (SP4T) RF CMOS Flip Chip switch. Both feature +41-dBm output power at 1-dB compression and typical insertion loss of 0.55 dB at 900 MHz and 0.65 dB at 1.9 GHz." Readers say: » "The switch has potential for more than just phones and that interests me. But the switch time is not mentioned in the article. It is data I would need if I were to use such a device."
» "Need more than one pole."
» "With wireless communications including GSM becoming widespread this device deserves a close look by system designers. The concept has applications beyond phones however. Any communications application using multiple frequency systems should look at this device."
USABILITY RANK: 8
(7) M/A-COM Lightening the Load: M/A COM amplifiers and triplers target avionics and military markets eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "These new components serve 8 to 12 GHz and 24 to 36 GHz applications with space saving, lightweight, high-rel designs sure to catch the eye of savvy high-frequency designers." Readers say: » "I see applications for collision avoidance and transponder systems in both commercial and general aviation."
USABILITY RANK: 6
(8) CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR Making it Cheap and Simple: New wireless protocol targets low-power, low-data rate applications. eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "WirelessUSB N:1 development kit (CY3635) replaces the wire on low data rate, high node density systems with a low-cost, low-power, highly reliable wireless solution. It speeds development of multipoint-to-point wireless applications using Cypress's WirelessUSB 2.4 GHz radio SOC technology and the WirelessUSB N:1 wireless protocol, which was specifically developed for consumer, industrial, medical, building and home-automation systems. " Readers say: » "This is a good concept -- how does it work around other 2.4GHz systems?"
» "This proprietary solution sounds like old stuff now that there is a standard. They have not made the case for not following the standard."
» "Interested, but the $795 dev kit cost is too much for my taste."
» "Low cost and low power is definitely good for this marketplace. But what about encryption especially if inteded for home security? And how much advantage does this really provide over 802.11b/g which are well established?"
» "A very nice general solution to a wide range of design objectives. Any application designer of area monitoring systems should look at this."
USABILITY RANK: 5
(9) ANADIGICS Hats Off to Integration! Dual-Band PA Reduces Component Count for WLAN Applications eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "Leveraging the company's InGaP HBT process to deliver the AWL6950 PA module for 2.4GHz (802.11b & 802.11g) and 5 GHz (802.11a) achieves 30dB or better gain at either frequency. Why InGaP HBT? InGaP HBT is known for power efficiency, and, with 30 dB of gain in the device, WLAN system designers can allow the WLAN transceiver that precedes the PA to operate at a much lower power level. " Readers say: » "Another interesting device. WiFi and similar application designers should look very closely at this device. "
USABILITY RANK: 10
(10) LINEAR TECHNOLOGY Streamlining the 3G Basestation: Cellular System Designers Get The Performance, Integration, and Headroom They've Been Looking For eeProductCenter's Janine Love says: "A departure from traditional super heterodyne approaches, direct conversion goes from baseband to RF in one step. The challenge with this approach is that there are no intermediate steps to eliminate noise and distortion, so engineers at Linear Technology have been toiling away in order to find the right design for their LT5528 3G basestation in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) modulator. " Readers say: » "Very progressive."
» "This is clearly a niche product. However, considering what it does and the size considerations it should do well. Multiple access systems in warehousing or medical applications come to mind."
USABILITY RANK: 9
