Cypress Semiconductor has unveiled a low-cost wireless RF solution designed for interfacing computers with local peripheral devices such as mice, keyboards, and gaming consoles. The new chip, CY694X WirelessUSB, operates at 2.4 GHz, can connect up to seven devices which are up to 30 feet apart, and is said to be compatible with operating systems that already support USB.

Like Bluetooth, the CY694X uses a frequency-hopping, spread-spectrum tehnology with 1,600 hops/second over 79 channels. The chip has a maximum data rate of 217.6 kbits/sec over a range of 10 meters, and supports 128-bit encryption.

Cypress has priced the new chip at less than $4.00 in volume, resulting in a solution that is claimed to be less expensive to implement than Bluetooth. Samples of the new chip are currently available, and production shipments are scheduled for Q1 of 2003.

 
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