As redes sem fios (redes wireless) fazem hoje parte da vida dos utilizadores. Este tipo de redes estão hoje presentes nas nossas casas, empresa, centros comerciais…etc, permitindo aceder à rede (ex. Internet) de uma forma cómoda e sem a necessidade de termos um cabo ligado ao dispositivo.
Considerada por muitos como uma tecnologia de recurso quando não existe infraestrutura cablada, a verdade é que este tipo de redes têm ganho nos últimos anos uma posição de destaque no mundo tecnológico. Características como a mobilidade, escalabilidade, segurança e velocidades de transmissão são hoje um trunfo desta tecnologia.
Recentemente a Quantenna anunciou que os equipamentos com chip Wi-Fi a gigabit podem estar já disponíveis no mercado a partir de 2012.
Quantenna, uma startup que produz chips para envio “massivo” de dados através da tecnologia Wi-fi, informou recentemente que produziu o primeiro chip wi-fi a gigabit para rede wifi locais. Segundo informações da própria empresa, o chip estará disponível para ser integrado em routers wi-fi, gateways e até mesmo gadgets.
O chip QAC2300 combina 4 antenas para envio e recepção de dados, permitindo assim atingir velocidade gigabit tal como planeado através do standard 802.11ac (que permite velocidades na ordem do gigabit e funciona na banda dos 6Ghz).
Usando técnicas 4×4 MIMO (Multiple-input and multiple-output – técnicas de transmissão para sistemas de comunicação sem fio com múltiplas antenas na transmissão e na recepção) e abrangendo as bandas dos 2,4 e 5 Ghz, a empresa informa que se conseguem atingir velocidades de 2 gigabit (bastante superior ao que se consegue ter hoje nas nossas casas). Os chips wi-fi QAC2300 estarão disponíveis já a partir de 2012.
Press Release Quantenna
Quantenna Launches World’s First 802.11ac Gigabit-Wireless Solution for Retail Wi-Fi Routers and Consumer Electronics New 802.11ac Solution Builds on 4×4 MIMO Foundation to Enable 2 Gbps Wireless Routers; Reference Designs Available Now for Early Customer EngagementsFremont, Calif., Nov. 15, 2011 — Quantenna Communications, Inc., a leader in ultra-reliable Wi-Fi networking for whole-home entertainment, today introduced the QAC2300 chipset, the world’s first gigabit-speed IEEE 802.11ac wireless local-area networking (WLAN) solution. With 4×4 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, the breakthrough product brings best-in-class wireless broadband capabilities to bandwidth-intensive retail and consumer electronics applications. The technology is optimized for a variety of retail consumer electronics products including wireless routers, access points, and high-end consumer electronics devices.
The QAC2300 two-chip solution includes a new 4×4 MIMO digital baseband chip that supports the latest 802.11ac specifications, combined with Quantenna’s shipping radio frequency (RF) chip, which already supports 802.11ac. Quantenna was the first company to develop 4×4 Wi-Fi MIMO technology and has used this high-performance foundation to deliver the first 802.11ac wireless LAN solution. By introducing not just the first 802.11ac technology, but also enabling it with 4×4 MIMO, Quantenna extends its lead over other Wi-Fi competitors who have yet to ship 4×4 MIMO technology.
Quantenna has led the service provider segment with its 802.11n 4×4 technology for whole-home video distribution, leveraging its innovations in MIMO and beamforming technologies. The addition of the industry’s first 802.11ac solution forges new ground, expanding Quantenna’s business into the retail segment. By combining its 4×4 MIMO capabilities with 802.11ac, Quantenna is helping retail and consumer electronics vendors speed time to market for products that will deliver gigabit-wireless speeds during 2012.
“The QAC2300 for retail applications complements our existing QHS71x product line, which is optimized for service providers,” said Dr. Sam Heidari, chief executive officer for Quantenna. “This new 802.11ac solution is an industry first that reinforces our leadership role in high-throughput wireless technology, and extends it into new retail and consumer electronics market segments.”
According to the In-Stat report, “Wireless LAN Market Estimates and Forecast by Device and by Technology 2009-2015,” released in February 2011, 802.11ac-enabled device shipments will soar to nearly 1 billion by 2015. The 802.11ac standard expands on the broad frequency bands and multiple-antenna capabilities of 802.11n to deliver the speed and performance that consumers need from retail devices, while retaining backward-compatibility with 802.11n.
Quantenna’s New 802.11ac Reference Design Quantenna’s new QAC2300-RDK reference design was developed to support the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ac standard and includes schematics, layout, and design guidelines. Building on Quantenna’s existing RF front-end chip that already supports 802.11ac, it enables rapid time to market with 2 Gbps dual-band, dual-concurrent operation (5 GHz 802.11ac plus 2.4 GHz 802.11n) using PCI-e or dual RGMII interfaces.
Availability Quantenna’s QAC2300-RDK reference design for retail applications is available now to early access customers. Quantenna will be showcasing its 802.11ac chipset at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 10-13, 2012, at the company’s suite at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Já imaginou como será ter gigabit na rede de comunicação sem fios em sua casa? Imagine por exemplo a partilha de um DVD através de uma rede com ritmos de transmissão na ordem do gigabit…será mais rápido que estalar os dedos!
