Overview
All Alereon Ultra Wideband (UWB) chipsets consist of two chips: a combination MAC/Baseband (MAC/BBP) and an RF transceiver. Each two-chip solution integrates the RF transceiver, MAC, baseband, and embedded software to implement a complete WiMedia UWB solution that supports multiple protocol adaptations layers including Certified Wireless USB and networking protocols, and all physical topologies including point-to-point, star-hub, and mesh. The chipsets cover all worldwide UWB spectrum and channels.
AL5100 RF Transceiver
Alereon’s AL5100 RF transceiver integrates sensitive analog front-end components including synthesizer VCO/PLL, anti-alias filters, LNAs, PAs, and transmit/receive switches, and supports a single-ended connection to the antenna that eliminates external baluns. The AL5100 supports all worldwide WiMedia spectrum and channels. It provides industry-leading performance in the presence of interference and poor signal quality due to its low transmitter EVM, low receiver noise figure, high linearity, and wide dynamic range. When combined with an Alereon MAC/BBP, the AL5100 supports all WiMedia functionality.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Band Groups | 1-6 (3.1-10.6 GHz) |
| Channels | TFC 1-10 (FFI, TFI, TFI2) |
| Package | 5×5 mm, 40-pin QFN |
Contact Alereon for the AL5100 product brief.
AL5350 MAC/BBP
Alereon’s AL5350 MAC/BBP integrates all digital and mixed signal circuitry for a WiMedia UWB system that provides high-speed wireless connectivity using Certified Wireless USB and networking protocols. The AL5350 uses a low-power RISC processor combined with high-precision hardware timers and specialized hardware for accelerating encryption, filtering packets, and performing DMA. The chip supports multiple high-speed and low-speed interfaces and multiple GPIO pins. The integration of all necessary program and packet RAM allows the AL5350 to maintain a small footprint. The AL5350’s software-heavy implementation gives it the flexibility to implement all industry and proprietary standards.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Band Groups | 1, 3, 4, and 6 (3.1-9.5 GHz) |
| Channels | TFC 1-10 (FFI, TFI, TFI2) |
| Data Rates | 53.3, 80, 106.7, 160, 200, 320, 400, and 480 Mbps |
| High-Speed Interfaces | USB ULPI (Host and Device), CompactFlash+, 16-bit parallel, SDIO Device, PCIe |
| Low-Speed Interfaces | UART (115200), SPI (for flash), GPIO, I2C Slave |
| Security | AES-128 CCM, Diffie-Hellman, SHA-256 |
| Topologies | Point-to-Point, Star-Hub, Mesh Network |
| Package | 11×11 mm, 169-pin BGA |
Contact Alereon for the AL5350 product brief.
AL5301 MAC/BBP
Alereon’s AL5301 MAC/BBP is a variant of the AL5350 that supports a subset of high-speed interfaces: USB ULPI, CF+/16-bit parallel, and SDIO Device. Contact Alereon for the AL5301 product brief.
AL6301 MAC/BBP
Alereon’s AL6301 MAC/BBP is a variant of the AL5350 that supports a subset of high-speed interfaces: USB ULPI and SDIO Device. Contact Alereon for the AL6301 product brief.
Overview
Alereon chips support a wide range of wireless applications, achieving virtually any kind of cable replacement in any type of connection topology. Alereon provides pre-built evaluation kits (EVKs) useful for evaluation, demonstration, and prototyping of certain solutions. Please contact Alereon on the range of solutions that can be built using Alereon chips and reference designs. Alereon also provides custom design and development services to help customers meet their solution requirements.
Contact Alereon for the updated description and contents of available EVKs
Other Solutions
Alereon has implemented for customers over 100 boards and associated software realizing every imaginable topology: point-to-point, star-hub, point-to-multipoint, broadcast, and mesh. Products have included USB docking stations, wireless projectors, PC-to-HDTV, video cable replacement, audio cable replacement, networking solutions, wireless cameras, automotive and industrial solutions, embedded military solutions, smartphone solutions, and more. Contact Alereon to discuss your particular needs.
Overview
Alereon provides custom development services for boards, modules, software, and utilities, and provides RF system engineering services to guide the inclusion of UWB into customer systems. Alereon also supports various manufacturing models from turnkey small volume production to enabling the customer for self-sufficient manufacturing of UWB boards. Alereon strives to tailor solutions to individual customer needs. Contact Alereon to discuss your particular requirements.
Board and Module Development
Alereon has designed and implemented for customers over 100 boards and modules across dozens of applications, including USB docking stations, wireless projectors, PC-to-HDTV, video cable replacement, audio cable replacement, networking solutions, wireless cameras, automotive and industrial solutions, embedded military solutions, smartphone solutions, and more.
Software and Utilities
Alereon has designed and implemented for customers dozens of custom software implementations to meet specific end-product needs. These developments include software embedded on the Alereon chipset’s ARM, drivers on Windows, Linux, Android, and MacOS, software utilities on Windows and Linux, mobile applications on Android, and supplemental embedded applications on various processors.
RF System Engineering
Alereon has helped dozens of customers bring UWB-enabled products to market. Alereon guides its customers through the complexities of adding UWB radios to end products through services that include consultation of board layout and design, antenna selection and placement, enclosure design, FCC certification, EMI testing, reference design guidance, and more
Manufacturing Support
Alereon supports various manufacturing models from turn-key production in low volume to setting up customers for self-sufficient manufacturing of UWB boards and modules. The manufacturing process includes radio calibration and testing performed by sophisticated Alereon-developed utilities. Alereon tailors the manufacturing experience to individual customer choices.
