NXP introduces chipset for Wi-Fi 6E

The Eindhoven chip company NXP is introducing a new WiFi chipset that supports the WiFi 6E standard. With the soc, the company wants to meet the increasing demand for faster wireless internet connections in devices.

In addition to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency, NXP’s CW641 chipset also supports the full 6GHz band, which can add a total of 1200MHz to the Wi-Fi spectrum. The chipset is intended for integration into Internet access points, routers, industrial applications and the automotive industry. With its first Wi-Fi 6E chipset, NXP says it wants to accelerate the adaptation of the new Wi-Fi spectrum.

The company opted to support Wi-Fi 6E after the Wi-Fi Alliance announced the new standard early last year. However, companies still had to wait for various governments to release this part of the spectrum. The US telecoms authority FCC approved the entire 6GHz band for Wi-Fi applications in April last year. In Europe, the Electronic Communications Committee also approved the use of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi in November. This does not concern the full 1200MHz but 500MHz in the front part of the spectrum: from 5925 to 6425MHz. In March, the European Commission would consider further political approval.

Wi-Fi on the 6GHz frequency should allow for faster speeds and lower latency. The frequency, like 5GHz, works best at a short distance between transmitter and receiver without obstacles that can block the signal. In practice, the new frequency made available for Wi-Fi applications almost doubles the Wi-Fi spectrum.

Wi-Fi 6E was announced by the Wi-Fi Alliance early last year. New hardware is required to use it. Routers and devices as well as laptops and smartphones must be equipped with chips with Wi-Fi 6E support.