San-Diego-based caompany Ethertronics claims that its new "active antenna" chip can solve slow WiFi connections and extend your Wi-Fi connection's range. The EtherChip EC482 chip has been specifically designed for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) 5 GHz and WiFi applications, with superior single- and multi-antenna performance at frequencies even beyond the WiFi high-band.

Embedded in the EC482 are Ethertronics’ proprietary algorithm and communication and control conduits to enable Active Steering for WiFi applications. The technology generates multiple radiation patterns from a single antenna structure. This "beam steering" technique is enabled by a wireless device monitoring RF link performance. Through a combination of closed loop and predictive algorithms, it optimally selects the antenna radiation pattern that provides the best RF link performance. The EC482 is the master controller of this process, containing not only the RF electronics, which are used to implement the steering of the antenna beam, but also the control software and embedded processor that host Ethertronics’ proprietary algorithm, which intelligently optimizes the RF communications link.

Ethertronics says that this capability provides revolutionary improvements in range, data throughput and signal quality (20-45%) for applications such as video streaming. Additional advantages include interference reduction, robustness in multipath environments, improved connection reliability and better spectral efficiency.

EC482 additionally enables WiFi offloading capabilities for wide area network wireless operators.

The EC482 can be integrated into a variety of products, including access points, set-top boxes, WiFi clients, WiFi extenders, wearables and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Ethertronics will be showcasing its new EtherChip EC482 and Active Steering solutions in its booth during Mobile World Congress (Hall 1, Stand 1D49), March 2-5, 2015 in Barcelona.