Introduction
The AR1021X is a single chip 2x2 802.11a/b/g/n MIMO solution optimized for low-power embedded applications with dual-stream capability for both transmit and receive. Frame aggregation, reduced
inter-frame spacing (RIFS), and half guard intervals provide improved throughput on the link. The AR1021X provides a robust communication solution, supporting maximal ratio combining (MRC), space-time block codes (STBC), and low density parity check (LDPC) codes. Additional performance optimization, such as 802.11n frame aggregation (AMPDU and A-MSDU) is supported, as well as low-overhead host assisted buffering for reception of both A-MSDU and A-MPDU aggregates. The SDIO driver also provides SDIO bus transaction bundling for reduced overhead.
These techniques can improve the performance and efficiency of applications involving large bulk data transfers (for example, file transfers or high-resolution video streaming). The typical data path consists of the host interface, mailbox DMA, AHB, memory controller, MAC, BB, and radio. The CPU drives the control path via register and memory access. External interfaces include USB, SDIO or SPI slave, reference clock, and front-end components, as well as optional connections such as UART, SPI/I2C, GPIO, JTAG.
The "System Block Diagram" as below.
2. Product FeaturesAll-CMOS IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n 2x2 single-chipUSB2.0 at 480 Mpbs, with LPM support, using an integrated controller and PHYExtensive hardware support for WLAN coexistence through LPC message passingPower and clock management for extended battery lifeGreen-Tx power savingLow-power listen mode and radio retention for reduced receive power consumption and sleep currentSupport for transmit beam forming (TxBF)Integrated PA, LNA minimizing external component countOptional external PA, LNA supportData rates of up to 54 Mbps for 802.11a/g and 144.4 for 802.11n HT20, 300 Mbps for HT40Advanced power management to minimize standby, sleep and active powerSecurity support for WEP, WPA, WPA2, WAPI, as well as WPS and protected managements framesBlock ACKUART for console supportJTAG-based processor debugging supported