Intersil and Silicon Wave Collaborate on Dual-Mode WLAN Solutions

Strategic Insights -

Intersil Corporation, the world's leading developer of silicon technology for IEEE 802.11b Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), and Silicon Wave, a leader in the development of single-chip Bluetooth radios, have announced that development is underway for dual-mode WLAN solutions. These solutions will allow laptops and other devices to wirelessly connect to a company LAN or to companion devices. The dual-mode approach marries a fully compliant Bluetooth radio with a WECA Wi-Fi certified IEEE 802.11b-compliant radio on the same platform, offering a major step forward in miniaturization, user convenience, and the convergence of the two leading wireless standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • The joint development effort will result in a series of dual-mode solutions, each marrying a fully compliant Bluetooth radio with a WECA Wi-Fi certified IEEE 802.11b-compliant radio on the same platform.
  • The initial platforms offered will be Cardbus32 and MiniPCI.
  • The dual-mode radios will employ dynamic switching so both radios can use a common antenna.
  • These dual-mode radios will be substantially smaller than two standalone solutions.
  • Intersil's PRISM Wireless Local Area Networking solutions are widely recognized as leading the industry in IEEE 802.11b-based systems marketed by companies such as Alcatel, Cisco, 3Com, and many others.
  • Silicon Wave designs RF systems-on-chip for next-generation communications products that require small, low-power solutions and is considered a leader in providing highly-integrated radio components supporting Bluetooth wireless technology.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 companies have incorporated Intersil's PRISM WLAN chip set in more than 100 product designs since its introduction in 1996.
  • Intersil is the dominant force in the WLAN chip set marketplace with their PRISM chip sets holding the majority of market share in a May 2000 report by Cahners In-Stat Group.

Sources:

  • BUSINESS WIRE, Nov. 28, 2000
  • About Silicon Wave, www.siliconwave.com
  • About Intersil, www.intersil.com
  • Cahners In-Stat Group report, May 2000