Metalink launches second-generation .11n chipset into expanding market

YAKUM, Israel-Silicon developer Metalink Ltd. unveiled its updated draft-compliant 802.11n dual-band chipset for wireless home entertainment networks.
The company said its WLANPlus chip features Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output technology and operates in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The chipset enables multi-room networking of multiple high-definition video streams, Metalink said. The company added that its second-generation chip supports three MPEG2 HDTV streams at 60 megabits per second with coverage to 60 feet.
Metalink’s first-generation WLANPlus technology has already been integrated by several consumer-electronics manufacturers into residential gateways, digital TVs, HDTVs, set-top boxes, media adaptors and digital video recorders.
To date, Wi-Fi routers in homes have been used primarily to stream Internet access connections to computers. However, the availability of higher throughput Wi-Fi products based on the IEEE’s 802.11n is expected to expand Wi-Fi use in homes substantially, providing consumers with the ability to stream data and video to various consumer electronics devices.
ABI Research’s Philip Solis stated, “Wi-Fi chipsets for media adapters and line-powered and portable consumer electronics will increase by a factor of five, from about 23 million shipments in 2005 to nearly 110 million in 2008. Consumer electronics is one of the largest growth segments for Wi-Fi enabled chipsets. Among wireless solutions, there are many that will compete for in-room wireless connectivity, but Wi-Fi is necessary to stream video wirelessly across the home.”