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.
Kit Components
Evaluation kits are built from combinations of the following boards.
AL5704 Worldwide Wireless Adapter
The AL5704 is a generic USB-attached radio dongle. This board can adopt virtually any topology or protocol role, including Wireless USB Host, Wireless USB Device, Ethernet device, or a bridge/adapter for proprietary devices. The role is established by the software installed in the flash of the on-board AL5350 MAC/BBP.
AL5619 Single-Port USB Device Wireless Adapter
The AL5619 allows a Wireless USB link to replace a USB cable between a USB Host and USB Device. An AL5704 (radio) plugs into the AL5619’s rightmost USB connector, and the AL5619 provides 5 Volt power to the AL5704 via a plugged in 5V power supply. The USB Device plugs into the AL5619’s leftmost connector.
AL5630 Single-Port Ethernet Wireless Adapter
The AL5630 allows a wireless Ethernet link to replace an Ethernet cable between two IP-capable computing devices. An AL5704 (radio) plugs into the AL5630’s USB connector, and the AL5630 provides 5 Volt power to the AL5704 via a plugged in 5V power supply. The computing device plugs into the AL5630’s’s RJ45 connector. The onboard SMSC chip performs Ethernet-to-USB conversion.
AL57600-EVK: Ethernet Cable Replacement Kit
The AL57600-EVK allows the connection of two IP computing devices using a link that is transparent to the nodes. The EVK features two radios – one for each end of the link. The radios create a transparent wireless bridge; neither computing device knows that a wireless link has replaced the wired link. The link between the computing devices automatically establishes when the radios are within range (typically 5-10 meters). Kit contents are listed in the following table.
| # of | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | AL5630 Single-Port Ethernet Wireless Adapter board |
| 2 | AL5704 Worldwide Wireless Adapter board |
| 2 | 5V power supplies |
| Appropriate software installed on both AL5704 boards |
The AL5704 (radio) plugs into the AL5630’s USB port. The computing device plugs into the AL5630’s Ethernet port (RJ45). The AL5630 converts between Ethernet and USB. The AL5704 exchanges the resulting packets over the air with the other radio.
AL57700-EVK: Single Port Wireless USB Adapter Kit
The AL57700-EVK allows the connection of a USB device, USB composite, or USB hub to a USB-capable computing device (USB Host) using a transparent wireless link. The EVK features two radios – one for the USB device and one for the computing device (USB Host). The radios create a transparent wireless bridge; neither end knows that a wireless link has replaced the wired link. The link between the computing devices automatically establishes when the radios are within range (typically 5-10 meters). Kit contents are listed in the following table.
| # of | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | AL5619 Single-Port USB Device Wireless Adapter board |
| 2 | AL5704 Worldwide Wireless Adapter board |
| 1 | 5V power supplies |
| Appropriate software installed on both AL5704 boards |
One AL5704 (radio) plugs directly into the computing device (USB Host). The other AL5704 plugs into the AL5619, which provides power to the radio. The USB device plugs into the AL5619’s external USB port. The kit software features two options shown in the following table.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Driverless | No drivers are needed on the computing device. The connected USB device is limited to seven total endpoints and one isochronous IN endpoint. Hot-plug is not supported. Works with Windows, Linux, Android, and MacOS devices. |
| Driver-based | Drivers are needed on the computing device. These drivers allow support for up to 64 total endpoints, and allow support of hub operation, including hot-plug. Standard releases for Windows only. Contact Alereon for other OS options. |
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.
