Equipment

Linux WLANs

Intersil is one of the top manufacturers of wireless LAN chipsets and has been a driving force behind the promotion of wireless networking systems. Now, the company offers a Linux wireless solution to wireless equipment makers.

by Matthew Peretz of 802.11-Planet [September 28, 2001]

Intersil Corp. announced this week that it is releasing a new wireless local area network (WLAN) access point-on-a-chip reference design for wireless networking that combines an ARM9-based Medium Access Controller (MAC) with an Open Source Linux operating system.

With full access to the Linux operating system, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will be able to add currently available applications or custom features within the Linux space to differentiate their product and add specific value.

Larry Ciaccia, Intersil vice president and general manager, said the new PRISM reference design is a complete solution that enables our customers to build and market affordable, compact and easy-to-install wireless gateways for the home and office.

"This will make it significantly easier for OEMs to add unique and innovative features to satisfy the growing demand for wireless-capable gateway products," Ciaccia, said.

The ARM9 processor easily handles the Wi-Fi and Ethernet traffic, with processing power reserved for customer applications as well as future standards; such as Quality of Service (IEEE 802.11e) and enhanced security extensions (IEEE 802.11i).

The open source Linux platform provides basic building blocks that extend AP functionality and enables OEMs to quickly develop customized feature sets by providing royalty-free access to a wide variety of user applications. Manufacturers can easily develop a layered security system, Internet sharing, NAT, DHCP, user tracking, publan utilities, remote access and control, and literally hundreds of other features available through open source repositories or custom developments.

Intersil created an AP Developer’s Kit containing all the necessary components allowing OEMs to bring a customized product to market. The kit includes:

• Reference design (pre-tested to help ensure Wi-Fi and regulatory approvals)
• Open Source operating system that interfaces to the MAC core.
• Customization instructions for adding additional features Configuration software (allows easy access and setup of the AP from client PC)
• Easy and fail-safe firmware upgrade mechanism
• End-user documentation Manufacturing test tools

Intersil's PRISM-based systems are currently optimized for 802.11b systems.

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