Today Broadcom, a traditional partner of Apple, announced the launch of the BCM4335, a 5G Gigabit Wi-Fi chip that could arrive next year in iPad 4 si iPhone 6. These new chips will offer users the possibility to transfer files and surf the Internet at high speeds, but they also contain a component that allows access to FM bands, a Bluetooth component and one that allows the use of technology Wi-Fi Direct. Apple will of course disable the FM functionality and maybe the Wi-Fi Direct one, but the most important ones remain and will be extremely useful.
The chips will be available on the market only towards the end of this year or the beginning of next year, so the implementation in iPhone 5 it is impossible.
Broadcom Introduces 5G WiFi Combo Chip for Smartphones and Tablets
First to Sample 802.11ac Solutions for Complete Ecosystem of Consumer Electronic Devices; 5th Generation of Wi-Fi Delivers Dramatic Speed, Range and Power Efficiency
IRVINE, Calif., July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –
News Highlights:
- BCM4335 integrates a complete 5G WiFi system — including the MAC, PHY and RF — with Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio and software on a single chip using 40nm CMOS process
- Only combo chip to address unique interference challenges in systems with both 4G LTE cellular radios and wireless connectivity
- Platform-agnostic design ensures the chip can be added to any smartphone or tablet
Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM), a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, today introduced the BCM4335, the industry's first complete 5G WiFi combo chip for smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks and other mobile devices. The new solution furthers Broadcom's wireless connectivity leadership and establishes it as the first chip vendor to sample solutions based on the 802.11ac standard for every major Wi-Fi product segment. For more news, visit Broadcom's Newsroom.
5G WiFi, the 5th generation of Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11ac standard, is a major evolutionary step from the existing 802.11a/b/g/n networks. 5G WiFi dramatically improves the wireless range in the home, allowing consumers to watch HD-quality video from more devices, in more places, simultaneously. With 3X faster speeds, consumers can download web content from a mobile device, and sync large files such as videos, in a fraction of the time it would take on a similar 802.11n device. Since 5G WiFi transfers the same volume of data at a much faster rate, devices enter low-power mode quickly and, as a result, are up to six times more power efficient than equivalent 802.11n solutions.
Broadcom introduced its family of 5G WiFi chips for access points and PCs at CES in January 2012. The world's first 5G WiFi routers and laptops powered by Broadcom's 5G WiFi chips were introduced to the market in Q2 2012. Smartphones and tablets powered by the new BCM4335, which are expected to hit shelves in Q1 2013, will allow consumers to reap the full speed, range and power saving benefits of 5G WiFi on both ends of the wireless connection. For more information on 5G WiFi, visit www.5GWiFi.org.
