News & Events
Intersil’s New High-Performance PRISM® Baseband Processor Now in Full Production
Delivers 11 megabits-per-second wireless networking using 802.11-selected CCK modulation technology
PALM BAY, FL, September 1, 1999 – Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) can achieve wired Ethernet speeds and enjoy the interoperability benefits of IEEE802.11 standard-based operation by incorporating a new high-performance baseband processor now available from Intersil Corporation. The HFA3861A Baseband Processor is available for sampling and for production quantity orders, delivering fast, 11 megabits-per-second (Mbps) data rates using Complementary Code Keying (CCK) technology – the basis for the draft IEEE 802.11 high rate (HR) standard. The device is one of five highly integrated chips comprising PRISM II, Intersil’s next-generation WLAN chip set.
CCK modulation was proposed by Intersil (formerly Harris) and Lucent and subsequently selected by the 802.11 working group as the basis for the HR extension to its WLAN global standard, expected to be finalized in September. Analysts predict this HR global standard to open the door for interoperable WLAN products fast enough for widespread deployment as wireless nodes to wired Ethernet networks.
"Across the board, enterprise IT managers agree on two things needed to make wireless office networks a reality; first, data rates that match wired Ethernet speed and second, the assurance that different manufacturers’ products will work together," said Larry Ciaccia, vice president of PRISM Wireless Products at Intersil. "As the baseband processing engine at the heart of our new PRISM II Chip Set, the HFA3861A helps product developers achieve what these customers demand – high speed performance backed by a global standard."
Advanced Features
The HFA3861A baseband processor features a rake receiver, an advanced function often incorporated into high-end mobile phones to reduce interference and improve performance by resolving the signal multipath problem. The HFA3861A’s rake receiver feature helps PRISM II-enabled devices achieve robust throughput and extended operating range – an important attribute for systems deployed in larger office and factory environments. A short preamble option featured on the new chip can be selected for further increasing data throughput. The HFA3861A also provides an antenna diversity option, which enables the baseband signal to sample the inputs of two separate antennas and select the one with the better signal.
The HFA3861A complies with the current IEEE 802.11 worldwide standard (for operation at 1 and 2 Mbps) and is designed to meet the new HR extension now being finalized. The HFA3861A supports the CCK modulation selected by 802.11 and also DBPSK and DQPSK modulation methods. This allows operation with dynamic downshifting at variable data rates of 1, 2, 5.5 or 11Mbps. This dynamic downshifting of data rate is useful when conditions deteriorate, thereby ensuring link integrity. In addition, HFA3861A-based systems are backwards compatible with older WLAN equipment operating at the original 802.11 (1 and 2 Mbps) data rates.
Built-in flexibility allows the HFA3861A to be configured through a general purpose control bus to fit a broad range of wireless applications. Automatic Gain Control (AGC) is provided for transmit and receive paths to obtain maximum performance in the analog portions of the transceiver. Along with the four other chips in the Intersil PRISM II family, the HFA3861A can serve as a full- or half-duplex packet baseband transceiver for other high-performance wireless applications, such as enterprise and IEEE802.11 WLANs, wireless local loops, PCMCIA wireless transceivers, RF modems, TDMA packet protocol radios, wireless bridges and a variety of portable RF-based devices.
Packaging, Availability and Pricing
Housed in a plastic thin quad flat package (TQFP) suitable for PCMCIA board applications, the HFA3861A is now available in sampling quantities. Order entry is open for production quantities with pricing at $10.12 in 100K quantities. To speed time-to-market for customers, Intersil is offering an evaluation board (HFA3861A-EVAL1) for the device, along with complete spec sheets and application notes. For more information on the HF3861A, visit Intersil’s homepage at http://www.intersil.com/prism.
About PRISM II
Intersil Corp.’s PRISM II Chip Set is the world’s most complete silicon solution for the design of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Comprised of five highly integrated ICs incorporating advanced silicon germanium (SiGe) technology, PRISM II delivers all the required analog and digital circuitry for the physical (PHY) and medium access controller (MAC) layers, providing a complete, "antenna-to-computer" solution for high-data rate WLANs. PRISM II is currently being utilized by the world’s leading communications companies to develop high performance wireless products for the home and office.
About Intersil Corporation
Intersil Corporation uses analog, mixed-signal, power and radiation-hardening technologies to develop advanced integrated circuits and discrete semiconductors for high-growth segments of the communications, power and space/defense markets. Intersil Corporation employs 5,800 worldwide and utilizes the rich intellectual property heritage from Harris, GE Solid State and RCA. The company’s worldwide web site is located at http://www.intersil.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Specific risks include worldwide demand and product pricing for integrated circuits, and reductions in the U.S. and worldwide defense and space budgets. In addition, Intersil cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends and events to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Corporation
