Broadcom announced a new single-chip 802.11n dual-band 3x3 wireless solution at Computex 2010. The BCM4331 Wi-Fi solution achieves 450 Mbps data rates in client devices and over 600Mbps throughput (TCP/IP) in 3x3 AP/router configurations.

Broadcom's new Intensi-fi chip enables several wireless multimedia applications, including high-definition (HD) video streaming, back-up, storage, multiplayer gaming, audio streaming, wireless printing, and photo sharing.

The BCM4331 802.11n solution delivers full 3x3 performance with three transmitting and three receiving streams of data in either the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz frequency bands. An increased number of data streams and antennas results in faster speeds, longer range, fewer dropped connections, and better overall wireless coverage. The BCM4331 is now sampling and is demonstrated at this week's 30th annual COMPUTEX in Taipei, Taiwan.

The key features of Broadcom's BCM4331 include:

- Single-chip dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) three stream radio, three antenna 3x3 architecture
- Data rates up to 450 Megabits per second (Mbps)

- Range extension features enabling the delivery of video, data, and media throughout the house
+ LDPC code and space-time block coding (STBC) for improving overall range and coverage
+ Advanced receiver architecture for industry leading throughput at range

- Bluetooth combo-ready with InConcert Technology for Wireless Coexistence
- InConcert Maestro and Wi-Fi Direct for easy video streaming between PCs and TVs

- High performance integrated dual-band AP/router solutions
+ Lowest cost two-chip simultaneous dual band 3x3 AP solution with the BCM4718 and BCM4331 for 11n 2.4GHz data and 5GHz HD video distribution applications
+ Simultaneous 3-stream throughput using the 600MHz, MIPS74k BCM4706 processor

- 65 nanometer CMOS PCIe design that promotes integration and low power consumption
- Broadcom's OneDriver software support and WHQL certified driver support for Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP and Linux

New Wireless Standards

Broadcom also talked about the upcoming IEEE 802.11ac and IEEE 802.11ad wi-fi standards that are currently examined by the IEEE 802.11 committee.

The 802.11ac standard supports a throughput of 3.2Gbps using the 5.15-5.9GHz frequency band. The standard works with existing infrastructure and will be able to wirelessly transmit compressed HD video throughout a house.

The 802.11ad standard streams at 6.7Gbps using high frequenies of 57-66GHz. It will be able to deliver uncompressed HD video in short distances (in room distribution). The 802.11ad standard is not compatible with the currently available infrastructure, such as the 802.11n devices (600Mbps, 2,4GHz, 5.15-5.90GHz).