Intel to integrate WiFi base-station technology in Grantsdale chipset

More news about Intel his next chipset, the Grantsdale. According to sources Intel is going to integrate WiFi base-station technology into this chipset. The Grantsdale chipset is announced to chip in the second quarter of 2004, and Intel expects that more than half of all desktop systems will contain Grantsdale chipsets by the end of the year.

Don't expect WLAN hardware to be included with the chipset. Intel's plan instead centres on bundling software that replicates the functionality of an access point when you have a internal PCI or external USB Wi-Fi adaptor connected to the system.

The move will position Intel as a major access point supplier, competing with network hardware companies who offer standalone base-stations, both wireless hubs and broadband Internet connection sharing devices. Dedicated hardware doesn't require processor cycles, so presumably Intel will pitch Grantsdale's Wi-Fi functionality as 'proof' of its 'Prescott' CPU's raw horsepower - the processor has cycles to spare. It will undoubtedly tout the software access point's low cost compared to hardware base-stations.

Source: The Register