VIA Solomon VT6656 - 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Controller with Integrated Baseband Processor-USB 2.0 bus interface

This single-chip 802.11a/b/g WLAN controller enables high-speed 54Mbps wireless connections to satisfy the increasing bandwidth needs of the most demanding enterprise, public access and home WLAN users.

The VIA VT6656 WLAN Controller, a single chip solution featuring an IEEE 11a/b/g media access controller (MAC) and integrated baseband processor to support USB 2.0 host interface. Enabling data rates between wireless devices of up to 54 Mbps. WLAN modules based on the VIA VT6656 can deliver the bandwidth necessary for real-time streaming of high-definition digital multimedia content in home networks, and provide high-speed broadband access to multiple mobile users in a corporate environments or public hotspots.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the VIA VT6656 is compatible with USB 2.0 and backward compatible with USB1.1 interfaces, and offers seamless compatibility with the leading RF chips currently available, ensuring WLAN module makers benefit from a wider choice of RF vendors and potentially lower development costs. In addition, VT6656 chip supports not only both 802.11a and 802.11g standards, but also backward compatible with 802.11b standard, as such VIA VT6656 based devices enable smooth migration for all 802.11b-based networks, without the need to sacrifice existing WLAN infrastructure.

In addition to providing high-speed wireless communication between devices, the VIA VT66556 ensures optimum data security through the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) specification. The forthcoming WPA 2.0 specification is also supported, which will be enabled through a downloadable software update. The VIA VT6656 is Wi-Fi certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance (formerly WECA), the global organization that oversees the Wi-Fi interoperability certification program. In order to receive official Wi-Fi certification, all IEEE 802.11 products must undergo independent testing.

Low power consumption is achieved by a Power Amplifier (PA) Power Detector which monitors and optimizes power usage to ensure stable transmission power, which is particularly beneficial to thin and light notebooks with challenging thermal environments. VT6656 also complies with international passive scanning and radar detection requirement at the 5GHz band. In addition, VIA offers WLAN software programming support to WLAN module vendors, helping speedy time-to-market for customers.

Key Features

Product Features
» Compliant with IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards
» Host interfaces:USB1.1/USB2.0
» I2C EEPROM interface
» Provide at least 4 GPIO
» Integrated 3.3V to 1.8V regulator control circuit
» Integrated RISC with internal ROM support
» Smart power saving mechanism under USB1.1 connectivity
» Package: 14mmX 14mm LQFP-128

Baseband Features
» Design target to interface with Airoha:AL2230, VIA: VT6635(b/g RFIC), VT6636(a/b/g RFIC)
» Programmable data rates: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps for OFDM; 5.5, 11Mbps for CCK; and 1,2 Mbps for barker modulation.
» Programmable data rates: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps with OFDM; 5.5 and 11 Mbps with CCK; and, 1 and 2 Mbps with Barker modulation
» Antenna diversity for better transmitting and receiving performance
» RSSI status report by per receiving packet

MAC Features
» Supports Infrastructure and AdHoc modes
» Supports Multi-cast packet filtering function
» Two 32-bit timers Unit: 1 us
» Transmit loop-back mode support (Internal/External) to VIA solution
» Supports BSS PCF
» Supports IBSS ATIM window
» SIMPLE TEST Mode Support by hardware. (Continuing Receiving/Continuing Transmitting)
» Supports four MIB counters: RTSSuccessCount, RTSFailureCount, ACKFailureCount, and FCSErrorCount

Security Features
» Supports WPA and WPA 2.0; Built-in hardware security engine for 802.11i 4.0. WEP (128-bit, 64-bit), TKIP, AES CCMP.