January 3, 2007 -- Atheros Communications, Inc. has launched its highest performance 802.11n solution to date. The AR5008AP-3NX2 chipset, combines Atheros XSPAN draft 802.11n technology with a powerful Wireless Network Processor Unit (WNPU), the Atheros AR7161. The chipset's concurrent operation in the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz wireless LAN (WLAN) frequency bands delivers up to 600Mbps aggregate physical data rates and the flexibility to segregate application content into the channels that provide the best user experience.

The AR5008AP-3NX2 targets Atheros' retail, SOHO and enterprise networking customers that want to provide the highest wireless throughput, coverage and capacity. With up to 27 non-overlapping channels, end users can run numerous WLAN applications simultaneously while avoiding interference which often plagues networks operating solely in the 2.4-GHz frequency band. The combined 2.4- and 5-GHz channel capacity supports uninterrupted, jitter-free transmission of multimedia applications.

Home networks can maximize bandwidth capacity and avoid interference by segregating applications across the two frequency bands. With only three channels, the 2.4-GHz band is subject to high levels of congestion from legacy 802.11b/g products and interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones and Bluetooth devices. As such, the 2.4-GHz band is well-suited for applications less sensitive to bandwidth limitations and interference: Internet data traffic, streaming MP3s and wireless printing. The 5-GHz band with 24 channels, fewer legacy devices and virtually no interferers, is ideal for high-bandwidth, latency-sensitive applications that require uninterrupted throughput: HD video streaming, VoIP calls and multi-player online gaming.

The Microsoft Windows Vista operating system advocates use of dual-concurrent networks and the allocation of applications onto separate frequency bands based on throughput requirement, latency-sensitivity and interference in the network. In order for retail network routers to earn the Windows Vista Premium Certification logo, they must offer dual-concurrent operation, thus assuring users of the optimal home networking experience.

The Atheros AR5008AP-3NX2 chipset consists of dual AR5416 MAC/baseband ICs, the AR2133 and AR5133 radios and the AR7161 wireless network processor. The solution is based on Atheros' XSPAN with Signal-Sustain Technology, the unique 3x3 MIMO architecture that achieves significantly greater connection reliability and coverage. In addition to delivering superior 802.11n system performance, the AR7161 features dual 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual USB 2.0 and additional interfaces for video, audio and voice applications.

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