Conexant, Sharp Unveil Small, Low Power Wi-Fi Module

Online staff -- Electronic News, 3/8/2006

Targeting products for embedded mobile applications including cellular/WLAN handsets, Newport Beach, Calif.-based broadband communications chip provider Conexant Systems Inc. has teamed with consumer electronics provider Sharp Corp. to create what they believe is the world’s smallest and lowest standby power wireless local area network (WLAN) module.

The Wi-Fi module is compliant with the IEEE 802.11b/g standard, leverages Conexant’s power-efficient CX3110X integrated circuit and Sharp’s micro packaging technology to develop the compact module, and will be distributed by both companies.

Previously, the companies co-developed Sharp’s wireless video adaptor, also based on Conexant’s WLAN technology that allows users to send video from sources such as PCs and video camcorders to a wireless LCD television.

According to market research firm In-Stat, shipments of Wi-Fi-enabled consumer devices including cellular handsets, PDAs, games and other handheld products is expected to exceed 180 million units in 2009.

The co-developed, small footprint WLAN module is less than 100 square mm, and uses Conexant’s intelligent PowerSave technology to deliver more than 600 minutes of talk time and 300 hours of standby mode. Software features include an embedded thin driver that enables easy integration into a host system.

 “Low power and small form factor are critical parameters for embedded mobile applications. Sharp's innovative packaging technology and our proficiency in WLAN technology allowed us to solve these challenges, and deliver a high-performance solution that will allow product developers to quickly integrate Wi-Fi into new and existing products. In addition, we can leverage this leading-edge, low-power product to span all industry standards including 802.11n,” concluded Chee Kwan, VP and general manager of wireless networking for Conexant in a statement.