Metalink Ltd. (NASDAQ: MTLK), Yakum, Israel, a provider of
high-performance wireline and wireless broadband communication silicon
solutions, has unveiled its complete WLANPlus(TM) family of multimedia
networking products and announces its new baseband chip. The MtW8170
baseband device, combined with the company's already available
MtW8150 RFIC, will comprise a single chipset targeting the emerging IEEE
802.11n standard for next-generation WiFi(R).
Metalink's WLANPlus(TM) chipset is the first Real-MIMO-based
(Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) wireless chipset designed for
delivering data throughput of more than 240 megabits per second (Mbps)
over the air with full-home coverage for video-distribution
applications. The technology is aimed at enabling a new era of wireless
home networking with the breakthrough speed, reach and performance to
accommodate demanding video applications. Metalink's WLANPlus
chipset can be embedded in digital video recorders (DVRs), set-top boxes
(STBs), high-definition televisions (HDTVs), media adaptors and other
consumer electronics products to enable seamless multimedia connectivity
throughout the home. This is achieved using several key technologies
including Real- MIMO, advanced coding, channel bonding, a highly
efficient media access control (MAC) packet-aggregation scheme, and
Quality of Service (QoS) features.
According to Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst with
Parks Associates, "Cable and satellite television providers will
step up deployment of multiroom digital video recorder solutions
starting in 2005, such that the number of units will exceed 25 million
in 2009. These devices will bring new levels of convenience and
flexibility to TV use while making recorded programming available
throughout the home, and they will expand the notion of home networking
connectivity beyond broadband connections and PC-centric content.
Wireless home networking chipset developers are among the companies who
will gain significantly from the rise of entertainment and multimedia
networks, and the year holds many opportunities for players like
Metalink, which are enabling consumer electronics manufacturers to
integrate these multimedia networking capabilities into video server
platforms and additional next-generation entertainment products."
"High-quality video distribution capabilities are the last
hurdle before home networks can be transformed for use in the wireless
entertainment age. Metalink's new WLANPlus chipset offers superior
throughput and coverage, outperforming existing WiFi products and
effectively addressing market need for home video delivery," said
Barry Volinskey, associate vice president, marketing with Metalink.
Product Details:
Metalink's MtW8170 baseband device, combined with the MtW8150
RFIC, is a complete solution for multimedia delivery over wireless LANs.
The complete chipset provides throughput of up to 243Mbps over the air,
and supports the critical whole-house coverage requirement of at least
60Mbps of effective throughput to any room within 60 feet of the
transmitter. The MtW8170 uses 2x2 or 2x3 MIMO technology to deliver the
extended throughput and QoS necessary for video applications. In
addition to Real-MIMO technology, Metalink's chipset utilizes
sophisticated techniques such as channel bonding, advanced forward error
correction (FEC) and antenna loading to increase WLAN performance, and
achieves a 50 percent improvement in MAC efficiency as compared to
earlier 802.11 solutions.
Adhering to 802.11n standard drafts, the chipset fully supports
advanced 802.11i security features and the 802.11e QoS standard. The
MtW8170 will be available in sample quantities in the third calendar
quarter of 2005.
About Metalink
Metalink Ltd. (NASDAQ: MTLK) develops high performance silicon
solutions revolutionizing the broadband experience by facilitating the
convergence of telecommunication, networking and entertainment.
Metalink's DSL and WLAN technologies are designed to enable true
broadband connectivity in every home. Metalink's DSL products offer
service providers a cost-effective network upgrade to support
triple-play services. Using Metalink's innovative VDSL technologies
operators can deliver fiber-like speeds over existing copper
infrastructure. Metalink's chipsets are deployed in millions of DSL
lines by leading service providers worldwide.
Metalink aims to redefine the home broadband experience by
introducing WLANPlus(TM) - a high-throughput wireless LAN technology,
5-10 times faster than currently available wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g
technologies. Featuring MIMO technology adopted by the 802.11n
standardization, WLANPlus enables room-to-room networking of multiple
high-definition video streams. Metalink is a fabless semiconductor
company headquartered in Yakum, Israel. The company has subsidiaries in
California, South Korea, and Japan as well as offices in Beijing, China
and Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information, visit http://www.metalinkbb.com or call
678/325-5449.
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