AMCC Launches 802.11n Enterprise WLAN Access Point Reference Design

(Top News, 4 Jun 2008)

Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (AMCC), in partnership with TeamF1 Inc. and Senao Networks Inc., has developed a comprehensive hardware/software reference design kit, based on the its PowerPC 405EX processor, designed to accelerate customer time-to-market for Enterprise 802.11n Wireless Access Points.

The reference design enables wireless access point system designers and manufacturers to overcome many of the design challenges associated with next-generation systems. By introducing high-performance, low-cost, low-power microprocessors into 802.11n access points, AMCC is helping designers support higher-frequency radios, higher data rates, a greater number of end users, new security standards, Power over Ethernet, voice, video and other applications.

The reference design comprises two key elements: the Managed Access Point Software product (MAPS) from TeamF1, an industry leader in embedded security and wireless software, and the "Makalu" network appliance hardware reference design platform, developed for AMCC by Senao Networks.

The Makalu network appliance reference design features a form factor of 151x264x43.1mm, and was developed for AMCC by Senao Networks, a Taiwan-based ODM with extensive experience in enterprise WLAN products. The AMCC PowerPC 405EX processor operates at a clock frequency of 600MHz, and features 256MB of DDR2 SDRAM, 64MB of NOR flash, two mini PCI Express connectors, two 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, one USB 2.0 port, one serial port, one JTAG connector, and one trace connector. The flash image includes Linux 2.6 kernel and U-Boot boot firmware, both provided by Denx Software Engineering, along with a file system that incorporates TeamF1's MAPS firmware.

MAPS is a comprehensive production-ready software package that combines the latest 802.11 wireless standards with field-proven networking and security components. With MAPS, OEMs can easily differentiate their Wi-Fi AP products by choosing from a wide range of advanced networking and security modules available from TeamF1 as part of its SMBware platform. The key features of MAPS include: dual-band, multimode networks (5GHz and 2.4GHz) capable of delivering high-performance throughput; Power over Ethernet (PoE); Wireless Distribution System (WDS), advanced 802.11 security standards, including WEP, WPA, WPA2 (802.11i), for any generation of wireless security in Personal and Enterprise modes; Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM), which provides improved quality of service over wireless connections for better video and voice performance; and comprehensive management capabilities, with SNMP plus 802.11 MIB support, which enable network administrators to remotely and seamlessly configure, update, and monitor multiple devices.

AMCC is currently demonstrating this reference design at Computex Taipei in the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Click here for more information on the Makalu hardware design

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Click here for more information on TeamF1

Click here for more information on Senao