Wi-Fi reference design offers interference resistance

WLAN chips developer Ralink Technology has announced that Rotani, a developer of next-generation wireless networking solutions, has released an OEM Wi-Fi access point reference design that makes any 802.11 WLAN interference-resistant using Ralink's 802.11g solution with MIMO XR (eXtended Range) technology.

According to Ralink, MIMO XR enables mobile users to maintain wireless connections with "whole-house" coverage and eliminate indoor-blind spots while extending range. Rotani's turn-key Wi-Fi access point reference design, on the other hand, enables OEMs, ODMs, designers and manufacturers to tailor wireless networking solutions for high-throughput and latency-sensitive applications such as IPTV, Video- or Music-on-Demand, online gaming, VoIP, PVR, STBs, Digital Media Center for the Digital Home, SOHO, Enterprise, Hotspots, Mesh Networks and other emerging WLAN markets.

The complete reference design solution includes hardware, software reference design, support and licenses. "In combination with Intel IXP425 processor and Ralink's RT61 chipset, we achieved usable throughput rates of 35Mbps in AP to client mode and 27Mbps over a distance of 30 feet while surrounded by more than 15 access points. That is the best .11g performance we have seen so far," said Nicholas Funke, executive VP at Rotani. "We consider the Ralink radio among the industry's best, providing OEMs and ODMs with highly flexible wireless capabilities ideal for our market."

"The current 802.11n standardization process is evolving, and consumers might be stranded until the final standard is approved," according to Frank Hanzlik, managing director of the Wi-Fi Alliance. "The Wi-Fi Alliance plans to bring out its certification program coincident with the ratification of the standard and not before." The ratification of the 802.11n standard is estimated for Q3 2007. In the meantime, Ralink's MIMO XR is the suitable WLAN solution for customers looking to build WLAN with performance comparable to or better than that of pre-802.11n/MIMO products, which deliver sustained multimedia content streaming at an extended range, without worrying about interoperability with 802.11n products.

"We are pleased to work with Rotani to deliver an outstanding WLAN Access Point reference design that excels in high-interference environments at an extended range." said Rick Jeng, Executive VP at Ralink Technology. "MIMO XR provides our customers with opportunities to build the hottest products with impressive performance now, not a year from now." MIMO XR features Range-OVERDRIVE, Packet-OVERDRIVE and MIMO-MRC technology; availability in PCI, mini-PCI, and CardBus interfaces; and, support for standards-based features and certification requirements including security, QoS and international regulatory.