Atmel Launches WiMAX-Specific Transceiver

San Jose, CA -- Atmel Corporation announced the first of its MAX-Link series of transceivers designed specifically for WiMAX applications. The AT86RF535A is a single-chip radio operating at 3.5 GHz with multiple bandwidth options. Additional members of the MAX-Link family are being developed to cover other WiMAX frequency bands and will interface with multiple baseband vendors. These devices combine a low-noise amplifier, power amplifier driver, receive/transmit mixer, receive/transmit filters, voltage controlled oscillator, synthesizer, receive gain control, and transmit power control, all completely digitally governed.

WiMAX is a standards-based technology based on IEEE 802.16. One of the primary applications of this technology is to enable the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL. WiMAX will provide fixed, nomadic, portable and, eventually, mobile wireless broadband connectivity without the need for direct line-of-sight with a base station. In a typical cell radius of three to ten kilometers, WiMAX Forum Certified systems can be expected to deliver capacity of up to 40 Mbps per channel for fixed and portable access applications. This is enough bandwidth to simultaneously support hundreds of businesses with T-1 speed connectivity and thousands of residences with DSL speed connectivity. Mobile network deployments are expected to provide up to 15 Mbps of capacity within a typical cell radius of up to three kilometers. It is expected that WiMAX technology will be incorporated in notebook computers and PDAs by 2007, allowing for urban areas and cities to become "metro zones" for portable, outdoor broadband wireless access.

Jeff Leasure, Atmel's wireless connectivity product line manager said, "WiMAX technology will revolutionize the way we communicate. Atmel's MAX-Link family of radios is specifically designed for WiMAX. Our transceivers will allow operators and service providers to cost-effectively reach millions of new customers with broadband access. They cannot achieve this with an off-the-shelf radio."

The AT86RF535A is available now to select customers. Production volumes will be available early in the second quarter of 2006. Modules incorporating the AT86RF535A transceiver, baseband, and MAC are being added to the roadmap.

SOURCE: Atmel Corporation