Broadcom develops 5G WiFi chip using 40nm CMOS
The chip integrates a complete, 5G WiFi system, with Bluetooth, FM radio and software, on a single silicon die
US-based telecoms chip maker, Broadcom, has unveiled what is described as the industry's first complete 5G WiFi combo chip for smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks and other mobile devices.
BCM4335 integrates a complete 5G WiFi system with Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio and software on a single chip using a 40nm CMOS process.
As Broadcom says, this is the only combo chip to address unique interference challenges in systems with both 4G LTE cellular radios and wireless connectivity.
What's more the platform-agnostic design ensures chip can be added to any smartphone or tablet.
5G WiFi, the 5th generation of Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11ac standard, is a major evolutionary step from the existing wireless local area networks.
The standard dramatically improves the wireless range in the home, allowing consumers to watch HD-quality video from more devices, in more places, simultaneously.
With three time faster speeds, consumers can download web content from a mobile device, and synch large files such as videos, in a fraction of the time it would take on a similar wireless LAN device.
Since 5G WiFi transfers the same volume of data at a much faster rate, devices enter low-power mode quickly and, as a result, are up to six times more power efficient than equivalent 802.11n solutions.
The new chip integrates a complete, single-stream 5G WiFi system, with Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio and software, on a single silicon die.
Designed in 40nm CMOS process, the new chips are smaller and more power efficient, giving customers more design freedom.
