WiFi wireless chips and WiMAX wireless chips are used in fixed broadband wireless access networks that use point-to-multipoint architecture. WiFi chips are based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. WiMAX chips are based on the IEE 802.16 standard. WiFi is an abbreviation for wireless fidelity. WiMAX is an abbreviation for worldwide interoperability for microwave access. WiMAX chips can be used in system-on-a-chip (SoC) applications. The IEEE 802.16 or WiMAX standard is also known as WirelessMAN, a registered trademark of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Uses

WiFi wireless chips and WiMAX wireless chips are used in products that access WiFi hotspots, locations where users can access networked services without standard cables. Typically, a WiFi hotspot is located in a public place such as an airport or restaurant. Each WiFi hotspot uses public or private wireless access points (WAP) that provide some type of redirection along with a common security standard called wired equivalent privacy (WEP).  The advent of adaptive channel expansion technology has marked an exponential growth in bandwidth rates for WiFi and WiMAX wireless Ethernet chips. Adaptive channel expansion technology uses non-overlapping channels in the range of 2.4 megahertz (MHz) which can transmit data at 120 megabytes per second (Mbps) using WPA2 security encryption, a rate that equals 10/100 Ethernet. WPA2, an acronym for Wi-Fi Protected Access, uses advanced encryption standard.

WiFi Antenna

WiFi wireless chips and WiMAX wireless chips require the use of a WiFi antenna to extend the range of WiFi and WiMAX devices. This is because WiFi and WiMAX technologies require high-throughput broadband connections over long distances. There are two basic types of WiFi antennas: point-to-point (directional) and point-to-multipoint (Omni-directional). The omni-directional antenna is the most commonly used type because it provides the ability to transmit from a single location to multiple computers, workstations, or other devices that use WiFi and WiMAX wireless chips.

Cost

The cost of WiFi and WiMAX wireless chips varies among suppliers, but the per-unit cost of a WiFi chip is relatively inexpensive. Typically, WiFi and WiMAX wireless chips are used in routers, computer laptops and cellular phones. A WiFi and WiMAX wireless chip can also be used in computers or workstations in a local area network (LAN).