BCM4706SA01 - 3+3 Gigabit Ethernet WLAN Chipset | Broadcom
MPN: BCM4706SA01 ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
BCM4706SA01 Overview
What is a WLAN chipset? A WLAN chipset integrates the processing and connectivity functions required to move network traffic between a wired Ethernet interface, an IEEE 802.11 wireless network, and a host system. In the product hierarchy, BCM4706SA01 is a wireless-networking chipset, a network processor platform, and an embedded microprocessor IC. A 3+3 designation commonly refers to aggregate Gigabit Ethernet capability, but the verified excerpt does not define individual port counts, lane arrangement, or supported operating modes.
The key verified feature is the BCM4706 family identity. Distributor listings associate BCM4706SA01 with the BCM4706 base product number and classify it as a 3+3 GE WLAN chipset. Broadcom Limited is the listed manufacturer, although one distributor additionally attributes the part to Avago Technologies, reflecting the company's historical corporate identity. The part is listed by DigiKey as a microprocessor IC, while other listings place it under miscellaneous components or embedded microprocessors.
The BCM4706SA01 is most relevant to routers, gateways, wireless access points, and similar embedded systems where Ethernet and WLAN functionality must coexist. Those use cases are engineering fit assessments rather than claims of published typical applications, because no manufacturer application list was supplied. Firmware, radio calibration, regulatory certification, antenna design, and thermal performance may be tightly coupled to the complete platform rather than determined by the chip marking alone.
Critical procurement consideration: the verified sources conflict on inventory claims. DigiKey's snippet says the order ships today, one supplier reports 4,222 pieces in stock, while other pages merely invite a quote or request a datasheet. Those snippets do not provide traceable quantity-break prices, an official Broadcom datasheet URL, lifecycle declaration, or package drawing. Engineers should request controlled documentation, firmware entitlements, and written inventory confirmation before committing a production design.
This page consolidates the verified distributor descriptions, source links, procurement caveats, and unresolved engineering data into one traceable record. It does not infer unverified processor speed, memory, pinout, package, thermal resistance, or regulatory status; each missing item is explicitly marked for follow-up. Obtain the controlled Broadcom documentation and validate the complete radio, antenna, Ethernet, power, and software configuration before release to manufacturing.
Drop-in alternatives for BCM4706SA01 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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Request AlternativesBCM4706SA01 Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | 3+3 GE WLAN chipset |
| Device Class | Microprocessor IC |
| Manufacturer | Broadcom Limited |
| Historical Manufacturer Attribution | Avago Technologies |
| Base Product Number | BCM4706 |
| Ethernet Capability | 3+3 GE |
| Wireless Capability | WLAN |
| Supply Format | Tray |
| Reported Supplier Inventory | 4222 pieces |
| RoHS Status | Nkesp |
| Part Status Code | 4222 |
BCM4706SA01 Interfaces & Connectors
BCM4706SA01 exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Ethernet, Wireless. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Ethernet | 3+3 GE |
| Wireless | WLAN |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
BCM4706SA01 is suitable for 6 applications: Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router, Wireless Gateway, Enterprise Access Point, Smart Home Bridge, Set-Top and Network Appliance, Industrial Network Gateway.
Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router
BCM4706SA01 is a potential candidate for a Wi-Fi router platform because the verified product description identifies a 3+3 GE WLAN chipset associated with the BCM4706 family. Its suitability depends on matching the router's exact Ethernet topology, wireless bands, antenna paths, regulatory region, memory architecture, and software image. The chipset would sit between wired network interfaces and the wireless medium while a host processor or integrated network-control software manages routing functions. Before schematic capture, engineers must obtain controlled pinout, package, power, clock, boot, memory, and firmware documentation. The available distributor metadata alone is insufficient to confirm thermal performance, channel plans, antenna calibration, or production lifecycle support.
Recommended
Wireless Gateway
A wireless gateway can use BCM4706SA01 when its published 3+3 GE WLAN identity aligns with the product's wired and wireless requirements. The verified listing does not define whether the three-plus-three designation represents six physical ports, three aggregated Gigabit Ethernet paths, or another internal implementation, so interface allocation must remain unresolved until Broadcom documentation is obtained. The implementation would likely combine Ethernet connectivity, WLAN media access, boot storage, clocking, power rails, and embedded network firmware. Design validation should cover throughput under concurrent traffic, driver maturity, thermal rise, electromagnetic emissions, antenna tuning, and regional channel support. No security patch status or supported firmware branch is stated in the verified sources.
Recommended
Enterprise Access Point
BCM4706SA01 may be considered for an enterprise wireless access point if controlled documentation confirms the required WLAN bands, station counts, multicast handling, security features, and management interfaces. The verified distributor description establishes only a 3+3 GE WLAN chipset identity, not enterprise feature support. An access-point design must also address PoE input, antenna isolation, regulatory-domain control, thermal monitoring, secure boot, authentication integration, and long-term software maintenance. Because package dimensions, operating temperature, power rails, and radio interface details are unavailable, engineers should not freeze the PCB layout or power tree. Broadcom's current hardware and software documentation is required to determine whether BCM4706SA01 can meet the intended indoor deployment requirements.
Recommended
Smart Home Bridge
BCM4706SA01 is a plausible connectivity platform for a smart-home bridge because the verified description combines a 3+3 GE WLAN identity with embedded microprocessor classification. A bridge implementation would connect wired devices to the local WLAN while executing protocol translation, discovery, configuration, and secure management functions. The available sources do not identify supported protocol stacks, memory requirements, boot interface, cryptographic implementation, or software-maintenance status. Consequently, this is an application fit rather than a confirmed reference design. Before selecting the chipset, engineers should benchmark sustained traffic, verify memory endurance for configuration data, plan secure firmware updates, and confirm low-power behavior. Controlled Broadcom documentation and a production software plan are mandatory.
Recommended
Set-Top and Network Appliance
BCM4706SA01 may fit a network appliance that combines wired Ethernet and WLAN connectivity, subject to confirmation of its processor resources and software support. In such equipment, the chipset could manage local networking, device discovery, media traffic, and control-plane communication. The verified data contains no processor frequency, memory map, accelerator features, peripheral inventory, power consumption, or package dimensions. It therefore cannot support an architecture commitment or thermal estimate. Engineers must evaluate end-to-end throughput, boot reliability, watchdog behavior, field-upgrade strategy, fault recovery, and regulatory compliance. A successful design also depends on long-term SDK availability because network products generally require security updates and compatibility maintenance throughout deployment.
Recommended
Industrial Network Gateway
BCM4706SA01 may be evaluated for an industrial network gateway where Ethernet and wireless connectivity are both valuable, but its industrial suitability remains unverified. The supplied sources do not state an industrial temperature grade, long-term-availability commitment, functional-safety status, vibration rating, or lifecycle phase. Before design-in, obtain environmental ratings, PCN/EOL policy, PCN history, firmware support window, and security-update process. The board design must also account for surge and ESD requirements, isolated power domains, watchdog recovery, and deterministic thermal behavior. Distributor stock reports do not establish long-term supply or reliability. Treat BCM4706SA01 as a candidate only until Broadcom provides traceable product documentation and a lifecycle commitment acceptable for the intended deployment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for BCM4706SA01 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product |
|---|---|
| Brand | Broadcom |
| Product Description | 3+3 GE WLAN chipset |
| Device Class | Microprocessor IC |
| Base Product Number | BCM4706 |
| Ethernet Capability | 3+3 GE |
| Wireless Capability | WLAN |
| Supply Format | Tray |
| Lifecycle Status | unknown |
| Unit Price | No verified numerical price as of 2026-10-23 |
Design Notes
Do not begin a BCM4706SA01 schematic or PCB layout from distributor snippets. The verified material does not identify the package, pin count, pinout, power rails, clock inputs, memory interfaces, radio connections, or exposed pads. Request the controlled Broadcom hardware design guide and package drawing first, then check every ball or lead against the exact ordering code and silicon revision before releasing layout.
Power architecture cannot be finalized without verified operating-voltage and current ratings. Do not infer supplies from the 3+3 GE WLAN description or reuse another BCM4706 board blindly. After obtaining official data, estimate each rail's worst-case load across boot, association, maximum traffic, radio activity, and thermal conditions, then include startup sequencing, decoupling, fault monitoring, and regulator headroom in the design review.
Preserve room for controlled RF implementation once the radio architecture is documented. The verified sources do not identify antenna interfaces, calibration requirements, reference clocks, or high-speed interfaces, so trace geometry and isolation cannot be specified responsibly. Follow the controlled reference layout and RF checklist for the exact platform, including controlled-impedance routes, return paths, antenna keepouts, decoupling placement, and analog supply partitioning.
Treat hardware and firmware as a versioned pair. The sources do not identify supported SDKs, boot images, bootloaders, radio tables, security patches, or recovery procedures for BCM4706SA01. Verify the approved firmware branch against the silicon ordering code, preserve signing credentials, define rollback behavior, and test recovery before field deployment. A part that powers on but lacks matching calibration or firmware can still fail WLAN regulatory or performance requirements.
Compliance Information
The supplier text 'RoHs Status: Nkesp' is not a recognized compliance result and was not interpreted as compliance. No authoritative RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declaration was supplied.
