Wireless networking chip specialist Bermai says it has developed a Linux-based, 802.11e-compliant reference design capable of streaming high-quality multimedia over wireless networks that also carry data loads. The standard-compliant design is said to interoperate with existing 802.11 networks, and is supported by Linux drivers for Red Hat x86 kernels.

Unlike expensive, proprietary wireless multimedia chipsets, Bermai's high performance, ultra-integrated chipsets are based on the IEEE 802.11e draft standard — including both HCCA/WSM and EDCA/WME — and will interoperate, not interfere, with existing 802.11/Wi-Fi networks, it says.

The Bermai Linux drivers are available as source code, under a license that enables Bermai to retain ownership of derivatives.

The chips implement 802.11e HCCA/WSM (wireless scheduled multimedia) quality-of-service (QoS) to guarantee enough wireless bandwidth to deliver high-quality multimedia streams, according to Bermai Linux specialist Neil Hamady. They also implement 802.11e's EDCA/WME for lower quality video applications, Hamady said.

“Bermai's robust Multi-Transceiver (MiMo) architecture delivers the guaranteed bandwidth, range, and net data-rate wireless CE (consumer electronic) device manufacturers have been searching for,” says Bermai DEO Bruce Sanguinetti.

“The success of a wireless multimedia solution will be predicated upon factors as its adherence to agreed-upon industry standards such as 802.11e,” states Kurt Scherf, principle analyst for Parks Associates.

 
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