Sierra Wireless has introduced
the thinnest 4G LTE chip. Weighing in at 2.5mm (to mix a metaphor) the AirPrime EM7700 is 2mm thinner than the previous record holder. That means that the AirPrime EM7700 is 44% thinner than the next thinnest chip. There is one caveat, though, the chip was designed to work only on AT&T's brand of 4G LTE and supports Qualcomm's Gobi 4G modem. The chip is expected to start shipping during the last few weeks of the Spring.
In addition to cutting the fat, Sierra Wireless has also sliced off the chip's support for EDGE which means that it is LTE/HSPA+ enabled only. Not that too many of you would miss EDGE anyway save for those ancient warriors still rocking the OG Apple iPhone. Ah, but we digress. The Air Prime EM7700 is expected to
see use in Windows 8 flavored ultrabooks and tablets. If you see smaller designs for such AT&T LTE enabled devices, now you will know the reason why.
source:
SierraWireless via
Engadget
+- Press Release
Sierra
Wireless
has introduced the world's first thin form factor embedded wireless
module for 4G LTE networks. The Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ EM7700 is a
nominal 2.5 millimetres thick and is ideal for tablets and
ultra-portable notebooks where thinness is a critical design constraint.
The EM7700 is designed to support Windows 8, utilizes Qualcomm's Gobi™
4G LTE modem and is compatible with Qualcomm's API and the USB-IF
mobile Broadband Interface Model (MBIM) for easy integration by PC OEMs.
It offers a connectorized interface to enable build-to-order
logistics, allowing manufacturers to offer it as an optional add-on to
their devices. The AirPrime EM7700 also supports HSPA+ and 3G
technologies for use in areas where LTE is not yet available.
Made exclusively for connecting to the AT&T 4G LTE network, the
AirPrime EM7700 is based on the AirPrime MC7700 module, which was
certified by AT&T last year
