Intersil Corp. says its new Wi-Fi system-on-chip controller represents the world's most highly integrated access point silicon solution, providing both wireless and Ethernet connectivity and a built-in ARM9 CPU core. The highly integrated processor, called the ISL3893 WiSOC, can be used as the basis of low cost access point and router designs that comply with "PRISM GT" (draft 802.11g) and "PRISM Duette" dual-band (802.11a, b & g) wireless standards, the company said. Dual MII interfaces enable flexible implementations, using either single- or multi-port Ethernet PHYs.

Additionally, Intersil announced a reference design (shown in the photo above) that is intended to help developers create devices based on the ISL3893 WiSOC. Designated the ISL39300A, the kit comes with a customizable, royalty free, embedded Linux operating system based on uClinux, and also includes a suite of development tools. The reference design can be used to create an 802.11a/g access point or router, or, by adding a 2nd radio in the mini-PCI slot, it can support simultaneous 802.11a, b & g dual-band operation, the company said. An enlarged photo of the reference design board is available here.

The reference design's Linux-based operating system "allows developers to take advantage of the extensive feature set that Intersil has developed and tested, as well as port existing applications using the included tools", Intersil said.

Features included in the software platform are said to include WPA, 802.1x, IAPP, 802.11d, and WDS, and AES (as specified by the 802.11i draft) will be supported via the integrated hardware accelerator functionality in the ISL3893.

Intersil said it plans to foster a developer ecosystem surrounding the reference design via its "Prism Partner Initiative" third-party program, through which developers can obtain references to a variety of pre-developed solutions that suit their needs.