- Broadcom launches new Wi-Fi 8 chips for enterprise access points and switches
- Access point chips combine processing, networking and wireless functions in a single device
- Wi-Fi 8 radio chips handle wireless transmission across business environments efficiently
Broadcom has announced a new set of enterprise Wi-Fi 8 chipsets covering access points and campus switching hardware.
The launch builds on the company’s previous announcement of Wi-Fi 8 radios and extends into full wired and wireless infrastructure.
Broadcom is not limiting this update to radio components alone. It has released new chips for both wireless access points and the Ethernet switches that connect them.
New access point chips combine computer and wireless functions
For access points, Broadcom has released the BCM49438, a new processor chip designed specifically for the company’s Wi-Fi hardware.
The chip handles system control, network tasks and processing on the device that would otherwise require multiple components.
Alongside that, Broadcom has also launched three Wi-Fi 8 radio chips, the BCM43840, BCM43844 and BCM43820, which control the wireless transmission itself.
These newly released chips are intended to be used together in future enterprise access points.
Broadcom has also introduced the Trident X3+ BCM56390 as a new Ethernet switch chip for enterprise networks.
The chip supports up to 48 multi-gigabit ports, enabling switches to connect a large number of high-performance access points.
Security features such as MACsec, post-quantum encryption support, secure boot and hardware root-of-trust are built directly into the chip.
Broadcom has paired it with recently launched multi-gigabit PHY chips, including the BCM84918, BCM54908 and BCM54908E, to handle physical network connections and power delivery.
Broadcom says the new access point and switch chips use a unified design approach that enables network data to be collected across wired and wireless segments in real time.
The chips also support wireless time-sensitive networking using the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol, which is intended to reduce latency variation.
The company has confirmed that it is now testing the new access point chips, Wi-Fi 8 radio chips and Trident X3+ switch chip with early customers.
“As enterprises increasingly rely on AI for critical operations and security, the demand for a robust, intelligent and secure network infrastructure has never been greater,” said Mark Gonikberg, senior vice president and general manager of Broadcom’s wireless and broadband communications division.
“Our new end-to-end solution for enterprise Wi-Fi and switching, incorporating Wi-Fi 8, multi-gigabit Ethernet and edge AI capabilities, provides the essential foundation for organizations to navigate risk and thrive in the AI era.”
The latest launch by Broadcom does not mention anything about the speed of these chips, and for those who expect Wi-Fi 8 to deliver faster peak speeds, it is unlikely.
Qualcomm has since revealed that Wi-Fi 8 does not promise faster speeds, but rather focuses on better stability, latency and performance with more connected devices.
Similarly, MediaTek, a key Nvidia partner already working on the Wi-Fi 8 ecosystem, is keeping expectations modest based on early internal performance.
Via TechPowerUp
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