TI WiLink 7 gives phones most wireless on 1 chip

Texas Instruments this morning brought out the WiLink 7, a design it says is the first to include four types of wireless on a single chip. It combines Bluetooth, an FM transceiver, GPS and 802.11n Wi-Fi into a single design and lets phone designers cut down on the size and energy needed. The creator estimates that it takes up half as much space as a normal multi-chip approach but also 30 percent less power.

The hardware is even described as superior to some multi-chip designs, providing "best in class" GPS mapping, support for in-phone FM antennas and techniques that keep interference to a minimum.

TI is silent on which companies will use WiLink 7, but it says it's already providing test samples to "major OEMs" and that finished products using the chip will be on the market before the end of the year.

By Electronista Staff