User's Manual
Laird MSD45N
Hardware Integration Guide, version 0.04
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Laird Technologies
SCOPE
This document describes key hardware aspects of the Laird MSD45N radio module. This
document is intended to assist device manufacturers and related parties with the integration of
this radio into their host devices. Data in this document is drawn from a number of sources and
includes information found in the Qualcomm Atheros (QCA) AR6003X data sheet issued in
January 2010, along with other documents provided from Qualcomm Atheros.
The Laird MSD45N is currently in pre-production and this document is preliminary. The information
in this document is subject to change. Please contact Laird Technologies or visit
http://www.lairdtech.com/wireless to obtain the most recent version of this document.
OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
This device is a Laird MSD45N radio module which
supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards via an SDIO
(Secure Digital Input/Output) interface. The radio
operates in unlicensed portions of the 2.4 GHz and 5
GHz radio frequency spectrum. The device is
compliant with IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and
802.11n standards using Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) and Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing (OFDM). The device supports all 802.11a,
802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n data rates and
automatically adjusts data rates and operational
modes based on various environmental factors.
When operating on channels in the UNII-2 and UNII-2 Extended bands that are in the 5GHz
portion of the frequency spectrum and are subject to Dynamic Frequency Selection
requirements, the MSD45N fully conforms to applicable regulatory requirements. In the event
that specified types of radar are detected by the network infrastructure, the MSD45N fully
conforms to commands from the infrastructure for radar avoidance.
The MSD45N interfaces to host devices via a 60-pin connector. The device is based on the
Qualcomm Atheros AR6003X chip which is an integrated device providing a Media Access
Controller (MAC), a Physical Layer Controller (baseband or BB processor), and fully integrated
dual-band radio transceiver. To maximize operational range, the MSD45N incorporates external
2.4 and 5 GHz power amplifiers (PA) to increase transmit power. The frequency stability for both
2.4 GHz (802.11b and 802.11g) and 5 GHz (802.11a) operation is +/- 20 ppm.
On the interface connector (Molex 60-pin connector; pin 21), an I/O voltage level configuration
(either 3.3 V or 1.8 V) is required from the host platform to configure the SDIO bus signal to run at
a 3.3 V or 1.8 V signal level. The MSD45N also provides the 3-wire Wi-Fi/BT coexistence signals to
ensure the performance of Wi-Fi and BT system when they reside in the same platform. A cellular
coexistence filter is implemented on the MSD45N to provide robust performance when
implemented with a cellular system.
The MSD45N has its own RF shielding and does not require shielding provided by the host device
into which it is installed in order to maintain compliance with applicable regulatory standards. As
such, the device may be tested in a standalone configuration via an extender card.
The device buffers all data inputs so that it will comply with all applicable regulations even in the
presence of over-modulated input from the host device. Similarly, the MSD45N incorporates
power regulation to comply with all applicable regulations even when receiving excess power
from the host device.