Broadcom is taking its chips on the road, with today’s announcement of a new line of wireless chips for use in automotive infotainment applications. 

The new chips featur the latest in 11AC/5G WiFi and Bluetooth Smart Ready technology on a single chip. Broadcom says the new chips will allow drivers and passengers to easily sync and stream content from mobile devices to the car’s infotainment system and rear-seat displays. 

The new chips also enable high-speed connectivity beyond the vehicle, serving Internet and cloud content via LTE telematics or directly from a Hot Spot connection. 

Based on the latest generation IEEE 802.11ac standard, the integrated 5G WiFi technology provides the bandwidth required for multiple in-car displays and resolution of up to 1080p, allowing uncongested 5GHz video to coexist concurrently with 2.4GHz Bluetooth hands-free operation. 

Broadcom says Bluetooth Smart Ready technology, which allows products to sip power at an incremental rate, will play a vital role in enabling connectivity between the car and wearable tech and body sensors, such as the ability to monitor biometric indicators including driver fatigue, blood alcohol content and glucose levels.

Broadcom’s wireless automotive portfolio consists of two devices. Both the BCM89335 5G WiFi/ Bluetooth Smart Ready combo chip and the BCM89071 Bluetooth + Bluetooth Smart Ready chip are now sampling.