Toshiba eyes audio/video with new 802.11a chipset

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. has a two-chip set for the IEEE 802.11a wireless LAN standard, designed to meet the needs for audio-visual distribution over home networks. It consists of a baseband IC and an intermediate frequency (IF) chip.

The baseband chip, designated TC35672, can process data transferred at 54-Mbits per second, and has 10-bit analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters that operate at 40-MHz, the company said. The device is based on Toshiba's proprietary TX39 core and power management system.

The IF chip, designated TA35151, integrates an orthogonal modulator and demodulator with a direct current (DC) offset function that removes any dc offset.

Toshiba is also developing an RF IC that would include a mixer, low noise amplifier and phase-locked loop (PLL), power amplifier and switch. This next generation chipset will offer both 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz operation, in full compliance with the IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b standards, respectively.

Samples of TC35672 and TA35151 are scheduled to be available in November 2002 at $65.00 the pair in 100-piece quantities. Mass production is slated to begin in March 2003 and is expected to rise to 100,000 units of each a month in 2003, the company said.

For more information, go to www.toshiba.com.