Broadcom debuts new Wi-Fi 8 chips, optical network processor
Broadcom Inc. today debuted three new chips designed to power multi-gigabit Wi-Fi 8 routers.
Wi-Fi 8 is an upcoming version of the eponymous networking standard that is set to be finalized in 2028. Chipmakers have already started implementing key components of the specification in their products. One of Wi-Fi 8’s flagship features is SMD roaming, a technology that improves connection quality in large indoor spaces such as offices and factories.
Workplaces often include multiple Wi-Fi routers that each provide coverage to a different area. When users move from one section of the building to another, their devices switch to the new section’s router. That switch often causes networking disruptions. SMD roaming, the reliability optimization feature included in Wi-Fi 8 avoids such issues by connecting to the new router before dropping its connection to the previous one.
Broadcom‘s new Wi-Fi 8 chips are the BCM6772, BCM6774 and BCM6776. All three ship with a quad-core central processing unit. According to the company, the CPU offloads some tasks to a specialized computing module known as a network processing engine that boosts computing efficiency.
