Atheros today announced the newest member of its AR7100 Wireless Network Processing Unit (WNPU) family — the AR7161. The AR7161 was specifically designed to support the highest 802.11n performance in a cost-effective processor solution.
The full benefits of the WNPU are realized in Atheros’ newly launched 802.11n-chipset, the AR5008AP-3NX2, which is based on XSPAN with Signal-Sustain Technology. The chipset enables a dual-concurrent, 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) plus 5 GHz wireless LAN (WLAN) access point (AP)/router solution featuring a 3×3 MIMO design (three complete RF transmit and receive chains).
In addition to supporting APs and routers, the AR7100 family (pdf) is suited as the host processor for innovative 802.11n network peripherals, like network attached storage servers, digital media adapters and gateways.
“Competing general-purpose network processor solutions found in current 802.11n products are merely adapted for wireless LAN use,” said Bill McFarland, chief technology officer for Atheros. “The AR7100 was designed for 802.11n products and is taking them to an entirely new level of performance.”
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