Embedded WLAN

In 2006, Atheros' wireless LAN (WLAN) software was selected to provide 802.11 connectivity for the Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 operating system. Atheros' WLAN software provided handset and Consumer Electronics manufacturers with a Microsoft-verified platform for deployment of low-power, high-performance and security-enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities in cellular and VoIP handsets, handheld devices, media players and other mobile consumer devices running the Windows CE 6.0 operating system. Atheros' Radio-on-Chip for Mobile (ROCm) family products that supported Windows Embedded CE 6.0. The chips delivered reliability, high throughput and sensitivity performance while also satisfying stringent mobile requirements: low power consumption, small form factor, and low overhead operation for host devices.

Advances in Mobile Chip Technology

1. Increased processing power: Modern smartphone chips have billions of transistors and multiple cores, enabling them to handle multiple tasks at once, running at speeds that were unthinkable for mobile devices not too long ago. For example, Apple's A14 Bionic chip, introduced in 2020, contains 11.8 billion transistors and is capable of performing up to 11 trillion operations per second.
2. Greater energy efficiency: Mobile chips are designed to balance power and performance to maximize battery life. Over time, the size of transistors has shrunk (we're now in the era of 5 nanometer chips), making chips faster and more energy-efficient.
3. Improved graphics processing: Modern smartphone chips have advanced GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) capable of rendering high-resolution images and supporting demanding 3D games. Mobile devices can now support technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality, which require heavy graphic processing.
4. Integrated AI capabilities: Many modern mobile chips, like Qualcomm's Snapdragon series or Apple's A series, come with dedicated neural processing units for handling AI and machine learning tasks. These chips can efficiently handle tasks such as image and speech recognition, augmented reality, and more.
5. Integrated 5G modems: With the rise of 5G, many mobile chips now come with integrated 5G modems. This allows devices to access faster download and upload speeds, improved latency, and the ability to connect more devices at once.
6. Advanced image processing: Smartphone chips now come with advanced image signal processors (ISPs) that support high-resolution cameras, and are capable of processing billions of operations in the blink of an eye to deliver stunning photos.
7. Improved security features: Many chips now come with security features embedded directly into the hardware, including secure enclaves for storing sensitive data, and support for on-device encryption.