Chipset makers prep faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology

LAS VEGAS--The new flavor of Wi-Fi, formally known as 802.11ac, is not standardized yet but chipset vendors are already positioning it to serve its expected market. They're also beginning to condition the customer base to look forward to 802.11ac-enabled home entertainment and mobile products, which will help meet skyrocketing demands for wireless broadband access. The technology's debut and market hype will get underway officially here at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, when several vendors will show off pre-standard and pre-certified products. Broadcom, Quantenna Communications and Redpine Signals, for example, are each expected to display their 802.11ac solutions. What is the future of the new technology, which is said to offer peak data rates of 1 Gbps or more depending on how it is implemented? Special feature