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Alereon Ultrawideband Development Tools

Alereon announced the release of an array of development tools that will allow developers to generate both WiMedia and WUSB-based ultrawideband (UWB) designs. The tools include the AL4401-EVB and AL4402-EVB WiMedia Ultrawideband Physical Layer (PHY) Evaluation Boards, the AL4501-RDK Cardbus-based WiMedia and WUSB Host Adapter Reference Design, and the AL4001-EVK WiMedia PHY Evaluation Kit.

The AL4401-EVB and AL4002-EVB evaluation boards provide a starting point for building complete UWB solutions based on the Alereon AL4000 PHY chipset. Both boards are complete WiMedia-based UWB PHY products that support all mandatory and optional data rates up to 480 Mbps and deliver the highest possible performance in a small form factor. The AL4402-EVB evaluation board is designed to plug directly into the Intel Peripheral Development Kit (PDK) for Certified Wireless USB.

Both evaluation boards are implemented using Alereon�s AL4100 RF Transceiver and AL4200 Baseband Processor (BBP), and are based on the industry�s WiMedia Media Access Controller (MAC)/PHY Interface 1.0 standard, requiring only the addition of a compatible MAC to build a complete UWB solution. A complete design information package including schematics, bill of materials, and approved vendor list is available from Alereon.

�The introduction of Alereon�s development tools will allow customers to begin designing true 480 Mbps ultrawideband solutions,� said Eric Broockman, CEO of Alereon. �With chip samples available this quarter and full production anticipated in the second quarter of 2006, customers can now focus on delivering UWB solutions.�

Alereon products will be demonstrated at the CES show in Las Vegas January 5-8 in the WiMedia TechZone located in the Central Hall, booth #7923-L.

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