Hoping to drive adoption of low-cost WLAN in home applications, Atheros Communications has combined conventional 0.18 μm CMOS process technology with advances in architecture and design methodology to pack baseband, MAC and RF front-end functions on a single chip. The result is the AR2417 (see figure), the most highly integrated 802.11g solution for carrier home gateways, according to Teresa Liou, senior product manager for the AR2417. As an 802.11g Wi-Fi add-on to existing DSL and xDSL gateway products, the AR2417 may advance the adoption of low-cost WLAN in home deployments.

The latest member of the AR5007 family, the AR2417 integrates the media access controller, baseband processor and 2.4 GHz radio onto a single die. In addition, the device also integrates the LNA and PA, which are often external components in other RF systems.

The only major external RF component needed for the device is a RF Tx/Rx switch. While Atheros does produce chips that include integrated RAM/ROM memory, the AR2417 connects to a stand-alone EEPROM device through a dedicated interface. The AR2417 also features a PCI host interface.

The AR2417 is based on the AR2413, but with several enhancements. For example, the device is well suited for Mini PCI and cardbus designs. The higher levels of integration in the device enable 2-layer pc board designs (previous generations with the AR2413 required 4-layers), resulting in cost reductions associated with reduced pc-board complexity, as well as a smaller bill of materials for support components. In addition, the Mini PCI with the AR2417 is a half-height card.

While the significantly greater throughput enabled by 802.11n networks is required to deliver data, video and voice throughout the home, gateway solutions based on 802.11g technology, such as the AR2417, provide ample performance for basic data networking and web surfing. Specifically, the device supports data rates up to 54 Mbps. It also supports the 802.11e Quality of Service standard and has an operating range of approximately 300 ft.

Powered by a single external voltage supply (3.3 V) and available in a 12 mm x 12 mm 108-pin QFN package, two card-mounting options are available. The half-height Mini PCI card option is suited for DSL gateway solutions (for Linux platforms), and the cardbus option is intended for retailers targeting the PC aftermarket (for platforms running Microsoft Windows Vista, XP and 2000 operating systems).

Liou states the chip can support board-level mounting as well for DSL gateways. One approach designers can take is to initially ship projects with card-based solutions to reduce time to market, and then to transition to board mounting to reduce manufacturing costs. The AR2417 chip is currently in volume production and shipping to select customers. For more information, please visit: http://www.atheros.com/pt/AR5007G.htm.

The AR2417 is a RF system-on-chip designed to provide -802.11g connectivity to household internet gateways.