LAS VEGAS, N.V. — Startup chip developer Synad has unveiled a wireless LAN (WLAN) access point called AgileAP at this week's Networld+Interop here that is designed to highlight the capabilities of its Mercury chipset.
AgileAP is Linux-based access point that can support 802.11a/b/g operation. The access point is equipped with a media access control (MAC) that allows the system to schedule when packets are exchanged. It also comes with a remote configuration capability that allows system administrators to configure the system using a web browser interface
The Mercury5G chipset is the heart of the access point. This chip set includes a direct-conversion dual-band radio chip and a modem/MAC chip, both made on CMOS technology. The MAC is based on an ARM9 processor core. The chip set uses integrated system memory and does not require external flash memories or SRAM.
The chip set also incorporates advanced security features such as hardware accelerated WiFi Protected Access, the wired equivalency protocol and AES encryption, together with support for 802.11x authentication protocols. Advanced spectrum management functions like transmit power control and dynamic frequency selection are also included.
Synad is providing a developer's kit with the access point that includes radio cards and a software suite with a TCP/IP networking stack, a TCP/IP bridging capability, a Linux kernel and an x86 development platform. The company plans to sell the reference design to existing WLAN equipment manufacturers.
John Walko contributed to this story.
