Date: 17/11/2011

Quantenna's first 4X4 MIMO tech based 802.11ac Gb-WLAN chip-set

Quantenna Communications, Inc has introduced the QAC2300 chipset, company claims it is the world's first gigabit-speed IEEE 802.11ac wireless local-area networking (WLAN) solution. With 4x4 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, the breakthrough product brings wireless broadband capabilities to bandwidth-intensive retail and consumer electronics applications. The technology is optimized for a variety of retail consumer electronics products including wireless routers, access points, and high-end consumer electronics devices.

Quantenna says the QAC2300 two-chip solution includes a new 4x4 MIMO digital baseband chip that supports the latest 802.11ac specifications, combined with Quantenna's shipping radio frequency (RF) chip, which already supports 802.11ac. By introducing not just the first 802.11ac technology, but also enabling it with 4x4 MIMO, Quantenna extends its lead over other Wi-Fi competitors who have yet to ship 4x4 MIMO technology.

By combining its 4x4 MIMO capabilities with 802.11ac, Quantenna says it is helping retail and consumer electronics vendors speed time to market for products that will deliver gigabit-wireless speeds during 2012.

"The QAC2300 for retail applications complements our existing QHS71x product line, which is optimized for service providers," said Dr. Sam Heidari, chief executive officer for Quantenna. "This new 802.11ac solution is an industry first that reinforces our leadership role in high-throughput wireless technology, and extends it into new retail and consumer electronics market segments."

According to the In-Stat report, "Wireless LAN Market Estimates and Forecast by Device and by Technology 2009-2015," released in February 2011, 802.11ac-enabled device shipments will soar to nearly 1 billion by 2015. The 802.11ac standard expands on the broad frequency bands and multiple-antenna capabilities of 802.11n to deliver the speed and performance that consumers need from retail devices, while retaining backward-compatibility with 802.11n.

Building on Quantenna's existing RF front-end chip that already supports 802.11ac, it enables rapid time to market with 2 Gbps dual-band; dual-concurrent operation (5 GHz 802.11ac plus 2.4 GHz 802.11n) using PCI-e or dual RGMII interfaces.

Availability: Quantenna's QAC2300-RDK reference design for retail applications is available now. Quantenna will be showcasing its 802.11ac chipset at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 10-13, 2012, at the company's suite at the Las Vegas Hilton.