RF Micro Devices, a leading provider of proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communication devices, today confirmed that it has begun shipments of its 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver for use in the Nintendo DS.

The wireless connectivity allows users within a given range to play against, transmit text messages, handwriting and drawings to one another.

"RFMD's energy-efficient wireless device enables Nintendo to include wireless technology in the Nintendo DS handheld at a low cost," said Satoru Okada, general manager, research and engineering at Nintendo Co., Ltd. "The embedded wireless functionality will enable developers to create rich game designs which were not considered possible in the past, further expanding the fascinating world of Nintendo DS."

Kris Rausch, product line director of wireless LAN products at RF Micro Devices, said, "We are extremely excited to be working with Nintendo, the world's leading name in the gaming industry. Additionally, we are pleased to build upon the success of our WLAN transceiver products, which offer distinct advantages in bill of materials (BOM) cost, size, performance and power consumption. These competitive advantages are driving incremental customer traction as an increasing number of electronic devices are being designed to capitalize on consumer demand for wireless connectivity."

Frank Morese, corporate vice president of the wireless connectivity business unit at RF Micro Devices, said, "We are very pleased to add Nintendo to our blue-chip customer base, which features many of the world's leading manufacturers of high-volume consumer electronic devices. As one of the world's leading video game manufacturers, Nintendo provides RFMD a valuable growth opportunity as we expand into the explosive video gaming market."

In addition the Nintendo DS features a proprietary wireless protocol developed by Nintendo, which has been the subject of intense rumour and speculation recently, with some suggestions that the wireless capabilities of the DS could be far beyond what was originally perceived.

TVG is expecting more details to become apparent on the Nintendo DS tomorrow.