The latest wireless networking chips are now leveraging the 802.11b standard, specifically targeting manufacturers of portable devices like cell phones, handhelds, and digital cameras. Broadcom is set to unveil a single-chip Wi-Fi product while Philips Semiconductors will introduce a dual Wi-Fi chipset offering that is significantly more compact than current solutions.

FAQs:

  1. What standard are the new chips based on?
    The new chips are based on the 802.11b wireless networking standard.

  2. Which manufacturers are being targeted by these new chips?
    Manufacturers of portable devices such as cell phones, handhelds, and digital cameras are the primary targets.

  3. What does Broadcom plan to announce?
    Broadcom is expected to unveil a single-chip Wi-Fi product.

  4. What will Philips Semiconductors introduce?
    Philips Semiconductors will present a combined package of two smaller Wi-Fi chips.

  5. How do these new chipset sizes compare with existing products in the market?
    The upcoming chipset solution from Philips Semiconductors will be notably more compact than current offerings.

  6. Why did companies focus on developing chips for high-volume products like portable devices?
    To inject fresh momentum into the 802.11b standard after uncertainties arose following the emergence of the higher throughput 802.11g standard which supports speeds up to 54 Mbps compared to 11 Mbps for 802.11b.

7.What was observed in terms of growth in wireless networking due to products based on the faster 802..111g standard?
Products using this newer protocol bolstered growth in wireless networking according to research firm Dell’Oro Group with worldwide handset shipments witnessing significant expansion.

8.Was there any difficulty faced previously regarding powering popular portable devices with low-power versions of existing Wi-fi standards?
Despite their suitability for popular portable gadgets, low-power versions were hindered by relatively high power consumption and larger physical footprints resulting in bulkier device designs.

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