Data Sheet

PRELIMINARY December 2010

AR9331 Highly-Integrated and Cost Effective IEEE 802.11n 1x1 2.4 GHz SoC for AP and Router Platforms
General Description
The Atheros AR9331 is a highly integrated and cost effective IEEE 802.11n 1x1 2.4 GHz Systemon-a-Chip (SoC) for wireless local area network (WLAN) AP and router platforms. In a single chip, the AR9331 includes a MIPS 24K processor, five-port IEEE 802.3 Fast Ethernet Switch with MAC/PHY, one USB 2.0 MAC/PHY, and external memory interface for serial Flash, SDRAM, DDR1 or DDR2, I2S/SPDIF-Out audio interface, SLIC VOIP/PCM interface, UART, and GPIOs that can be used for LED controls or other general purpose interface configurations. The AR9331 integrates two Gbit MACs plus a five-port Fast Ethernet switch with a four-traffic class Quality of Service (QoS) engine. The AR9331 integrates an 802.11n 1x1 MAC/BB/ radio with internal PA and LNA. It supports 802.11n operations up to 72 Mbps for 20 MHz and 150 Mbps for 40 MHz channel respectively, and IEEE 802.11b/g data rates. Additional features include on-chip one-time programmable (OTP) memory.

Features
Complete IEEE 802.11n 1x1 AP or router in a

single chip
MIPS 24K processor operating at up to

400 MHz
External 16-bit DDR1, DDR2, or SDRAM

memory interface
SPI NOR Flash memory support No external EEPROM needed 4 LAN ports and 1 WAN port IEEE 802.3 Fast

Ethernet switch with auto-crossover, auto polarity, and auto-negotiation in PHYs Four classes of QoS per port Fully integrated RF front-end including PA and LNA Optional external LNA/PA Switched antenna diversity High-speed UART for console support I2S/SPDIF-out audio interface SLIC for VOIP/PCM USB 2.0 host/device mode support GPIO/LED support JTAG-based processor debugging supported 25 MHz or 40 MHz reference clock input Advanced power management with dynamic clock switching for ultra-low power modes 148-pin, 12 mm x 12 mm dual-row LPCC package

System Block Diagram

2.4 GHz

RF Front End

802.11n 1x1 WLAN MAC/BB/ Radio Internal SRAM I-Cache D-Cache

SDRAM/ DDR1/DDR2 Controller and NOR Flash Memory Interface

Serial Flash and SDRAM/DDR Interface 5x Fast Ethernet LAN/WAN Ports UART USB MAC/PHY External Interface 5x Fast Ethernet Ports UART Interface USB 2.0 Interface GPIOs/LEDs Audio Interface VOIP/PCM 25 or 40 MHz Crystal

AR9331

MIPS 24K Processor

I2 S/SPDIF SLIC

2010 by Atheros Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Atheros, Atheros Driven, Align, Atheros XR, Driving the Wireless Future, Intellon, No New Wires, Orion , PLC4Trucks, Powerpacket, Spread Spectrum Carrier, SSC, ROCm, Super A/G, Super G, Super N, The Air is Cleaner at 5-GHz, Total 802.11, UNav, Wake on Wireless, Wireless Future. Unleashed Now., and XSPAN, are registered by Atheros Communications, Inc. Atheros SST, Signal-Sustain Technology, Ethos, Install N Go, IQUE, ROCm, amp, Simpli-Fi, There is Here, U-Map, U-Tag, and 5-UP are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. The Atheros logo is a registered trademark of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Subject to change without notice.

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