04-28-2004, 12:00 AM
|
|
Magi
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,186
|
|
Wireless G in a Pocket PC?
Brighthand reports that "Atheros Communications, a developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, has announced it is now shipping in volume the world's first complete IEEE 802.11g solution that fits on a single chip. The Atheros AR5005G brings an unprecedented level of integration, performance, power savings, and cost reduction to the rapidly growing 802.11g market. It is suited for a wide range of wireless products, including handhelds. No currently available handheld includes built-in 802.11g.
The Atheros AR5005G features new signal processing technology that extends the battery life of mobile devices by dynamically adjusting power consumption in response to system and network activity. This technique delivers up to 98 percent lower power consumption than multi-chip WLAN solutions on the market today."
802.11g is a WiFi standard that supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps. All Pocket PC WiFi solutions use the slower 802.11b standard, which supports up to 11 Mbps. The low power requirements and small footprint of this new chip could make it an attractive option for Pocket PC OEMs. In fact, a little digging on Atheros' site turned up their client list, which includes both Wistron (OEM for the Dell Axim) and Asus. What do you think? Would Wireless G be a welcome addition to your next Pocket PC, or are you getting along just fine with good old Wireless B? :wink:
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 12:07 AM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,202
|
|
I'd like it just so I didn't have to run my router in "mixed mode" which causes all my current "g" devices to run slower. Hopefully it wouldn't use anymore power. I think as far as actual use Internet Explorer is slower in rendering pages than what "b" connection can deliver anyway, though.
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 12:12 AM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 702
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by whydidnt
I'd like it just so I didn't have to run my router in "mixed mode" which causes all my current "g" devices to run slower. Hopefully it wouldn't use anymore power. I think as far as actual use Internet Explorer is slower in rendering pages than what "b" connection can deliver anyway, though.
|
I agree. I would like to have it, simply for the possibility of better battery life.
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 12:12 AM
|
|
Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 899
|
|
You mean complete with Atheros's 108Mbps non-spec channel bonding thingie? 
I'm waiting for single-chip a/g for PPC teehee... In fact though I'm shopping for a new firewall router and PC Mag's latest wireless router roundup's been a help...
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 12:30 AM
|
|
Magi
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,186
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by bitequator
You mean complete with Atheros's 108Mbps non-spec channel bonding thingie? |
Fortunately, their "SuperG" technology is on a separate chip. This one is spec.
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 12:32 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
|
|
Whydidnt pretty much summed it up for me. PocketIE doesn't even come CLOSE to utilizing the 11Mb/s bandwidth of 802.11b, much less the 54Mb/s of 802.11g (or the 108Mb/s of the proprietary "turbo" modes of 802.11g). Until PIE does a better job of utilizing bandwidth, I don't see much use for the higher wireless speeds.
However, eventually, there will come a day when hotspots will stop offering "Mixed Mode" for their 802.11g networks, forcing the 802.11b clients to upgrade. Granted, that won't happen for quite a while... quite a long while, actually... but it will happen eventually. Not only that, but there are other applications, such as ftp, that will benefit from the increased bandwidth. Hopefully, PIE will improve speedwise in the future (but, with M$, you never know), so someday I will want the increased speed on my PPC, but not today.
Right now, my wireless network access point consists of a dual-mode "a/b" router, mainly because there was no "a/b/g" or "a/g" router when I got it (5GHz is important to me, to eliminate interference from microwaves and cordless phones, so "a" was a must). Eventually, I'd like to upgrade my router to an "a/b/g" model, but with "a" routers disappearing from most retailers, the demand is such that the prices on these things aren't likely to go down anytime soon, and I'm not spending another $400-500 just to add "g" to my home network.
Bottom line... For the moment, I couldn't care less about having 802.11g on my home wlan at all, much less on my PPC, but the day will come... oh yes, the day will come.
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 12:41 AM
|
|
Swami
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,303
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JT3
....but the day will come... oh yes, the day will come.
|
Don't we know about that one JT3! :wink:
It always seems odd that larger capacity, faster, later generation devices often use less power than their smaller sized, slower, older parent devices. Still, I'm not complaining! :lol:
I look forward to the day when this will be usefull for the PPC, i.e. there will be apps that can use this kind of bandwidth. I have no idea what they will be, but I'm sure I will want one when it comes out. :mrgreen:
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 01:03 AM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 164
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JT3
I look forward to the day when this will be usefull for the PPC, i.e. there will be apps that can use this kind of bandwidth. I have no idea what they will be, but I'm sure I will want one when it comes out. :mrgreen:
|
I want it now, even though I don't have a real use for it yet. It's just like buying a house or a new computer; you buy more than you need because you just know you will grow into it someday...
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 01:26 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 62
|
|
I didn't realise that my PPC wouldn't work with "g" when I bought the system. Boy, do I welcome this technology. The sooner the better!
|
| |
|
|
|
04-28-2004, 01:51 AM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 164
|
|
Don't forget, with "G" wireless, the range decreases. From what I recall, the Mbps also drop off much more quickly the farther you get from the access point. I like the "b" and I'll keep the range.
*Phil
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
