Broadcom Selected for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) Wi-Fi Direct(TM) Test Suite and Among the First to Obtain Certification
Enables Revolutionary Device to Device Connections Anywhere, Anytime - With or Without a Traditional Network Available
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 25 --Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that the Broadcom® BCM43224 dual-band 802.11n 2x2 MIMO PCIe half mini card has been selected for the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct(TM) test suite. It is among the first products to obtain Wi-Fi Direct designation from the Wi-Fi Alliance® and will be a benchmark for all future certification testing in numerous Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) labs around the globe. Wi-Fi Direct enables devices to communicate directly with each other without having to connect first to an access point and be part of a traditional network, thus creating many new wireless device-to-device applications and usage models.
Broadcom is incorporating Wi-Fi Direct across its entire portfolio, including the feature in all of its connectivity, media and mobility products. The company is offering its InConcert® Maestro(TM) Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) along with its Wi-Fi-Direct certified devices. This combination will allow simple and easy-to-develop wireless gaming, content sharing, and printing applications. Having the industry's broadest range of Wi-Fi chips with designs in countless product categories including mobile phones, tablets, notebooks/netbooks, Blu-Ray players, gateways, access points/routers, printers, televisions, set-top boxes, games, and portable media players, Broadcom will offer consumers an entire ecosystem of devices that seamlessly connect with one another using Wi-Fi Direct.
Highlights/Key Facts:
o Broadcom is a strong supporter of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Since the launch
of 802.11g, Broadcom has been selected to participate in eight Wi-Fi
CERTIFIED(TM) client and access point test suites.
o In the past, Wi-Fi devices had to connect first to an access point in
order to communicate with other devices in a given network. Wi-Fi
direct enables devices to communicate directly with one another without
having to interact with an access point. This not only makes
communication between devices simpler and faster, but means devices can
connect anywhere and anytime.
o No longer is a portable device limited to communications within one
single network; it can move easily between networks, establishing
one-to-one connections on an as needed basis.
o Broadcom powers the vast majority of cellular handsets that have the
802.11n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) mark.
o According to ABI Research, 82 million Wi-Fi-enabled portable consumer
electronics, 262 million notebooks/netbooks/media tablets and 216
million Wi-Fi enabled handsets are set to ship this year. Combined,
these three categories are projected to grow at a compound annual growth
rate of 26 percent from 2009 to 2014.
o Wi-Fi Direct-certified Broadcom drivers for the mobile, media and PC
segments enable a full ecosystem of products capable of sharing user
generated content amongst one another, without an access point.
o Broadcom includes the InConcert Maestro API as part of the Wi-Fi
driver package for its certified Wi-Fi Direct chipsets. The
InConcert Maestro API framework offers application developers easy
access to Wi-Fi Direct functionality on Broadcom chipsets.
o Developers can now effortlessly write exciting applications that
make use of the device-to-device communication mechanisms as defined
by the technology tested in Wi-Fi Direct certification.
o The InConcert Maestro API allows OEMs and carriers to offer new and
exciting easy-to-use services and consumer applications. For
example, with InConcert Maestro and the underlying Wi-Fi Direct
mechanisms, friends in a train or on a beach can now discover each
other's wireless devices, connect and play a game, chat or exchange
files without requiring any other device or network assistance.
o Key Features of Wi-Fi Direct-certified devices include:
o Wi-Fi direct devices communicate directly with one another without a
traditional access point. This means devices can connect anywhere,
anytime, greatly increasing the number of connection possibilities.
o Portable device communication is no longer constrained to one single
network; moving easily between networks, establishing one-to-one and
one-to-many connections on the go.
o Legacy compatibility: Wi-Fi Direct-certified devices can form groups
with most Wi-Fi CERTIFIED client devices.
o Security protections: Wi-Fi Direct-certified devices have the very
latest WPA2(TM) security mechanisms.
o One-to-one connection or a group of several devices can connect
simultaneously.
o Ease of use: Wi-Fi Direct devices are easy to use, with Wi-Fi
Protected Setup(TM) and support for device and service discovery.
o Wide industry support: Many chipset vendors and device makers
developed the specification together within the Wi-Fi Alliance.
o Wi-Fi Direct fully leverages Wi-Fi's advantages: Performance,
range, ubiquity, flexibility, etc. Wi-Fi Direct is a software-only
protocol, which means there is no need for additional radio,
antenna, etc. for device-to-device connectivity.
Supporting Quotes:
Edgar Figueroa, CEO of the Wi-Fi Alliance
"We congratulate Broadcom Corporation on achieving selection to the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct(TM) test bed, with its product being among the first to receive Wi-Fi Direct certification. Broadcom now has station and access point products in numerous Wi-Fi CERTIFIED(TM) test beds. Broadcom's participation in the development of this program has been instrumental in the achievement of an industry-wide certification for this revolutionary new Wi-Fi technology."
Michael Hurlston, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom's WLAN line of business
"Now that the final certification is in place, we expect that Wi-Fi Direct will enhance the tremendous growth of this already burgeoning market. Consumers will be able to connect whenever and wherever they want, unleashing a new realm of applications for device-to-device connectivity. Broadcom is on the forefront of this revolution that promises to transform the way millions of people use Wi-Fi."
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About BroadcomBroadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.
Broadcom, one of the world's largest fabless communications semiconductor companies, with 2009 revenue of $4.49 billion, holds more than 4,300 U.S. and 1,800 foreign patents, and has more than 7,900 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video, data and multimedia.
A FORTUNE 500® company, Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at www.broadcom.com.
SOURCE Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Mobile & Wireless
CONTACT: Trade Press, Jessica Sandifer, Public Relations Representative, +1-949-926-8008, jsandifer@broadcom.com
Web Site: www.broadcom.com
