Lucent Develops Breakthrough Wireless Chip

Lucent Technologies told Associated Press today it has developed a breakthrough chip that could both lower the cost and improve the quality of wireless networks everywhere. Researchers at the company report the development of an all silicon chip for those base stations that receive radio signals from wireless devices. Using just three of these chips, compared to the normal 10 to 20 gallium arsenide chips used now, the new networks are as much as 100 times smaller and 100 times less expensive. Lucent says the new technology will be deployed in its next-generation devices over the next five years.