TI Chip Reduces Power Drain from Wi-Fi

Posted By: Ed Saturday, September 7, 2002 12:49:19 PM

Many people are asking for handhelds with built-in 802.11 wireless networking. However, the handhelds already available with this tend to be large and experience a short battery life. Texas Instruments has a solution for both these problems. It has announced a new Wi-Fi processor that uses significantly less power than its competitors. It does this by reducing by 90% the amount of power consumed in standby mode. This means a significant overall power savings because most 802.11b devices spend nearly 95% of their time in non-operational sleep or standby modes. TI estimates this improvement will reduce overall power consumption by up to 25%.

The advantage of saving power by reducing the amount used during standby is it doesn't affect the range or data speed of the device when it is in use.

The TNETW1100B doesn't just save power, it saves space. It is a single-chip 802.11b Medium Access Controller (MAC) and baseband processor (BBP) that has been designed to take up a minimal amount of space, important if it is going to be integrated into a handheld. There is a version of the chip that is just 12 by 12 mm.

Texas Instruments said it expects to begin shipping the TNETW1100B in the fourth quarter. They will cost $10 each when purchased in volume. No companies have committed to using these chips in their products yet.

About 802.11
802.11, also called Wi-Fi, is used to create a wireless, Local Area Network (WLAN) and allows connections across ranges as great as 100 meters and speeds up to 10 Mbps, depending on power level and objects interfering with transmissions. Connections are made via access points.

Thanks to Nick Trevethan for the tip. -Ed

Related Information:

TI's Press Release on the TNETW1100B

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Both Built In Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

big_raji @ 9/7/2002 1:08:39 PM #

I've been yearning for a Palm with built-in bluetooth. I haven't really been interested in Wi-Fi, because of all the comments about power consumption.

Now I want them both.

Sometimes, I really hate hearing good news.

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RE: Both Built In Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 1:20:19 PM #

I would LOVE to have a PALM with WI-FI

RE: Both Built In Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 2:42:52 PM #

my visor had wifi since it came out :)
pretty cheap now actually since the wifi springobard is $100 and you can get a visor for $100 or less.

Palm Infocenter - always great stuff on here!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 1:10:30 PM #

I think that Palm Infocenter should be required reading for the New Product Development crew over at Sony...

RE: Palm Infocenter - always great stuff on here!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 2:53:55 PM #

Yeah Lol. SONY PLEASE READ THIS!

RE: Palm Infocenter - always great stuff on here!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 3:14:40 PM #

If Sony listened to everyones suggestion on PIC, they would release a new model every other week. Oh wait ... damn, they already DO release a new model every week.

Hey Ed, do you get much traffic from sony.com palm.com, handspring.com, etc.com? Just curious if we ARE some sort of online focus group :)

RE: Palm Infocenter - always great stuff on here!

bcombee @ 9/7/2002 6:12:54 PM #

I know PIC gets a lot of traffic from motorola.com/metrowerks.com, but that's just me checking for new headlines five or six times a day.

--
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Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

RE: Palm Infocenter - always great stuff on here!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/9/2002 12:40:45 AM #

haha, maybe we would have some good BT or WiFi solutions.
To me however, it doesnt matter at all. I only need a clie, that can get onto the internet at gprs rates, with a good high res screen, in addition to the mp3 player, and a good battery, running all on OS5.
BT and WiFi arent necessary or required to most of the college students like us.

RE: Palm Infocenter - always great stuff on here!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/9/2002 12:57:52 AM #

Not important unless your campus is wired for WiFi like UBC. I'm a clié user and i would love to shove a WiFi enabled palm in my PocketPC friend's face!

*sigh* 12mm x 12mm would fit nicely into a memory stick slot... ;)

The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

Strider_mt2k @ 9/7/2002 3:59:11 PM #

Seems that if you had all three in a smartphone, it would pretty much cover the gamut of personal digital communications!

strider_mt2k@yahoo.com

RE: The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/7/2002 4:41:18 PM #

Nah, I'd like to see a wireless Bluetooth bridge to both 802.11b and cellular/mobile phone that defaults to 802.11b and uses the cell connection when 802.11b isn't available. The bridge would have some different power options, including different battery sizes. Then I can just throw the bridge in my bag, briefcase, office, hotel, car; on my belt; or whatever and forget about it. The power supply and battery for the bridge could be as big as I want for my needs, and the PDA can stay small, simple, low-power and light. Add a Bluetooth headset if you want to talk.

A more sophisticated version of the bridge could even have wired Ethernet and landline modem options.

RE: The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

Strider_mt2k @ 9/7/2002 7:45:13 PM #

Okay, one more thing while we're dreaming:
Modular PDA plugs to fit a wide range of handhelds.

Then you'd have something.

strider_mt2k@yahoo.com

RE: The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

Kesh @ 9/7/2002 10:32:37 PM #

>Modular PDA plugs to fit a wide range of handhelds.

It's called SDIO. :)

Now we just need somone to fit this chip into an SD card, and you can have Bluetooth or 802.11b interchangeable in any SDIO slot equipped handheld.

RE: The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/8/2002 6:28:05 AM #

:: >Modular PDA plugs to fit a wide range of handhelds.

:: It's called SDIO. :)

yes, yes, like "my" dual SDIO slots Palm futur model !!! :))

RE: The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/8/2002 11:51:30 AM #

Yes, and all I need is to retrofit my brain with a SDIO slot, then I'll be connected 24/7. :)

RE: The fantastic four? WiFi, BT, Enhanced IR, Cell?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/9/2002 12:04:45 AM #

The scary thing is, is that may be possible within 10 years....

The Right approach

RoadKnight @ 9/8/2002 12:49:57 PM #

This is the right approach. I've got the Xircom 802.11 sled for my M505 and it only comes on when I use it,
unlike my WaveLAN card which stays powered in my laptop or iPAQ regardless of whether it's actually sending bits
or not. I've had the sled for about a month now and have yet to run into a situation where I ran the battery down.
In fact, even under daily use, the Palm tends to need recharging before it does. Nice going TI!

TI WiFi Chip on SD card release!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/8/2002 10:51:41 PM #

I hope to see this new item.

WOW! GOOD ENHANCEMENT

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/9/2002 9:26:43 AM #

Wow that is cool! I have an 802.11 network and a Clié and been waiting for an adapter like the one reported in www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=4087

I'm fine with 802.11 rather than investing on other wireless technologies like bluetooth.

I won't mind buying another PDA which has an integrated Wi-Fi and is using that TI Chip that reduces Power Drain!

Way to go Wi-Fi!