Specifications

Wireless LAN Module

The AirPort Extreme Card wireless LAN module (via the PCI USB controller) contains a media access controller

(MAC), a digital signal processor (DSP), and a radio-frequency (RF) section. The module is wired to an antenna

port on the rear of the computer.

The AirPort Extreme Card is compliant with the IEEE 802.11g standard. The card transmits and receives data

at up to 54 Mbps and is compatible with Apple AirPort systems as well as other 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi

certified products. For information about its operation, see AirPort Extreme Card (page 40).

The internal Bluetooth module connectivity comes off the PCI USB controller. See Bluetooth Technology (page

42) for more information.

Modem Slot Support

The K2 IC supports the modem and provides DB-DMA (descriptor-based direct memory access) support for

the modem slot interface. The modem is connected via an I2S interface.

The internal hardware modem is a separate module that contains a modem controller IC, a data pump, and

the interface to the telephone line (DAA). For more information about the modem, see Internal Modem (page

40).

Boot ROM

The boot ROM consists of 1 MB of on-board flash EEPROM. The boot ROM includes the hardware-specific code

and tables needed to start up the computer using Open Firmware, to load an operating system, and to provide

common hardware access services.

Ethernet Controller

The K2 IC includes an Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and PHY. As a separate I/O channel on the K2

IC, it can operate at its full capacity without degrading the performance of other peripheral devices.

The MAC implements the link layer. It is connected to a PHY that is internal to K2 and provides 10Base-T/UTP,

100Base-TX, or 1000Base-T operation over a standard twisted-pair interface. The Ethernet port is auto-sensing

and self-configuring to allow use of either a cross-over or straight-through cable. The operating speed of the

link is automatically negotiated by the PHY and the bridge, router, hub, switch, or other Mac or PC to which

the Ethernet port is connected.

For information about the Ethernet port, see Ethernet Port (page 36).

Architecture

K2 I/O Controller