Feb. 26, 2002 – Norcross, GA, and Carlsbad, CA – RF Solutions Inc., a supplier of WLAN RF ICs, and Ellipsis Digital Systems Inc., a developer of integrated silicon and software solutions for broadband communications systems, have engaged in a strategic partnership to develop a dual-band (5GHz, 2.4 GHz) multi-protocol wireless LAN chipset for network interface cards, access points and gateways.

In addition to 802.11a, the new wireless solution will support 802.11b and the recently drafted 802.11g protocols, the companies said.

The agreement includes joint collaboration on the design and development of the companies respective multi-standard WLAN solutions to ensure compatibility.

Ellipsis is offering its E-1100 ISiS (Integrated Silicon and Software) Platform for 802.11a and E-2000 ISiS Platform for a multi-standard 802.11a/b/g solution. Both products feature an integrated MAC, PHY and Digital Conversion and Compensation System to offer savings in gate count and power consumption while extending operational range, the companies said.

RF Solutions is offering its RFS W5100 WiFLEX dual-band transceiver and RFS P5910 dual-band power amplifier. The RFS W5100 enables either DSSS or OFDM modulation at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz to allow a seamless transition across bands for maximum data rates and throughput.

The demand for high-speed functionality and increased network capacity is driving development and deployment of 802.11a systems, the companies said. The necessity for a low gate count, low power 11a solution to meet these requirements as well as a multi-standard 11a/b/g solution to flexibly address the large installed base of 11b users has never been stronger. RF Solutions and Ellipsis are working together to address this growing market need by offering integrated, high-performance multi-standard WLAN solutions.

The RF/Ellipsis partnership will result in the development of a demonstration platform and reference design as well as all appropriate interfaces between each company’s respective WLAN solutions. This joint effort is designed to ensure end-customer ease of use when creating a complete WLAN product.

Ellipsis’ E-1100 will be available this summer, with the E-2000 following shortly thereafter in the fall. RF Solutions’ WiFLEX dual-band multimode RF transceiver samples will be available this spring to its PartnerCHIP partners and generally available this summer.