Networking solutions provider D-Link announced the launch of their Compact Wireless N USB Adapter (DWA-121), which the company claims is the world’s smallest wireless USB adapter. About the size of a dime, the DWA-121 adapter connects a laptop or desktop computer to a Wi-Fi network at up to six times the speed and three times the coverage of a wireless G connection, and uses 802.11n wireless technology to help maximize the speed and range of the wireless signal, with speeds up to 150Mbps uplink/downlink data rate. It is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
The Compact Wireless N USB Adapter’s Quick Setup Wizard provides a user-friendly way to set up the USB adapter and the included Wireless Manager helps to keep track of recently accessed networks. “Our Compact Wireless N Adapter provides an excellent solution for performing everyday activities such as transferring files, browsing the Internet, and downloading music,” said AJ Wang, chief technology officer at D-Link. “With its sleek compact design and unmatched performance, this ultra-portable USB adapter is hardly noticeable when inserted into a laptop or desktop PC, making it an ideal choice for setting up a secure, high-performance wireless connection.”
The company also announced it is preparing to ship its first 802.11n Wi-Fi router with 3×3 MIMO technology that uses three distinct data streams to enable “extremely fast” data transfer rates with speeds up to 450 megabits per second. The Switchable Dual Band Router (DIR-665) – the first wireless router to receive Connect with Intel Centrino Ultimate-N certification, is expected to ship in the first quarter of this year, D-Link said. The speed is made possible by the Marvell 88W8366/88W8063 3×3 chipset, which supports multi-stream 802.11n technology for increased data throughput. The DIR-665 incorporates the Marvell Total Solution featuring the 88F6281 CPU, running at 1 GHz, 88E6171R Gigabit Ethernet switch and power management ports in-addition to the industry’s first 3×3 chipset.
“D-Link has a proven track record of delivering revolutionary networking products that provide consumers with the best possible home networking experience,” said Partho Mishra vice president and general manager of the embedded and emerging business unit for the communications and consumer business group at Marvell. “Marvell’s 3×3 solution enables D-Link’s customers to create home networks with reliable high-bandwidth wireless links to surf the web, share files, play networked games and stream HD video with the increasing number of WiFi enabled consumer devices in the market such as smart phones, e-book readers and HD television sets, a segment that Marvell has pioneered “
The router offers both wide area and local area network (WAN/LAN) gigabit ports, SharePort for printer sharing capability, switchable dual-band 2.4 and 5 gigahertz performance, three antennas and D-Link Green technology, which saves power through Wi-Fi scheduling and eco-friendly port activity and cable detection techniques.
“Intel has worked closely with D-Link and Marvell to test interoperability with Intel’s next generation of wireless adapters. When paired with our new Intel Ultimate-N WiFi Link 6300 multi-stream 802.11n adapter, the new wireless router from D-Link provides outstanding throughput and performance” said Alexander Quach, Intel’s director of wireless marketing. “The D-link DIR-665 router meets our new Ultimate-N tier of Connect with Intel Centrino interoperability, offering the performance required for data intensive applications such as streaming rich media throughout your home.”