Date: 29/09/2011

500 Mbps throughput capable powerline comm transceiver IC from Qualcomm Atheros

Qualcomm Atheros Inc. has announced a new powerline communications chipset, AR7420 that it will be demonstrating at the Broadband World Forum conference, September 27 - 29 in Paris, France. Samples of the AR7420 chip will be available during calendar fourth quarter 2011.

This AR7420 powerline communications (PLC) transceiver IC compliant with HomePlug AV-based and IEEE 1901. The AR7420 delivers throughput of up to 500 Mbps.

"With the launch of the AR7420, Qualcomm Atheros is demonstrating its commitment to address the dramatically expanding connectivity requirements of the digital home," said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior vice president and general manager, networking business unit, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. "The AR7420 provides a cost-effective powerline solution that is specifically optimized for multi-media streaming and embedded applications so as to drive down the cost of adding powerline communications into a variety of clients and routers. We are excited to expand our ecosystem of powerline products for our customers and end users."

The AR7420 chipset operates with spectrum range of 2 MHz to 68 MHz. Qualcomm says this chipset delivers double the PHY rate speed of current HomePlug AV solutions. This fifth-generation HomePlug AV-based IC delivers carrier-grade performance with support for multicast IPTV, reliable q-o-s and whole home coverage with the HomePlugAV/IEEE 1901 solution. Combined with the wireless and Ethernet portfolio of products, the AR7420 enables hybrid networking routers, extenders and embedded products.

The AR7420 chip includes an MII/RMII host interface, integrated memory and a 10/100 low power Ethernet PHY. The AR1540 line driver IC is a companion chip that provides signal optimization and multiple country support.