Texas Instruments develops new wireless chip
By Reuters
September 3, 2002 2:10 pm PT
DALLAS (REUTERS) - Texas Instruments Inc. said on Tuesday it has developed a computer chip about half the size and about 25 percent more efficient than current hardware used to connect wireless devices to the Internet or to corporate networks.
The chip, which was designed to connect mobile devices to short-range wireless networks, should allow handheld, wireless computers to work on a battery about 25 percent longer than today, the company said.
The chip would also increase the battery life of laptop computers by up to 6 percent, according to Texas Instruments.
The use of short-range wireless connections is currently hampered by the bulk of network cards that must be slotted into handheld computers or laptops, and by the strain these cards put on the batteries in these devices.
One analyst said the chip was a step in the right direction. "When you're actually using your device to access the Internet, the (power) benefits are not that much, but unfortunately that's part of the wireless standard. Any power saving is beneficial for wireless handheld computer users," In-Stat/MDR analyst Allen Nogee said.
Nogee said that rival Intersil Corp. is also developing power-saving chips for short-range wireless.
Texas Instruments said it expects to ship the product to network card makers, at a price point of about $10 each in the fourth quarter.
Texas Instruments stock fell $1.18, or 6 percent, to $18.52 on the New York Stock Exchange.
