The Qualcomm WCN3980 is a multi-mode wireless connectivity chip that supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2 (or later, depending on the specific model), and FM radio. It is designed for Mobile Devices, offering integrated connectivity solutions with support for high-speed data transfer, voice communication, and low-power operations.

If you're looking for alternative ICs or equivalents to the Qualcomm WCN3980, you'll generally want to consider other multi-mode wireless chips from manufacturers that support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and possibly FM radio. Here are some alternatives from different manufacturers that offer similar capabilities:

1. Broadcom

• Broadcom BCM43455: A highly integrated solution supporting Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2, and FM radio. It is widely used in consumer devices such as smartphones and tablets, similar to the WCN3980.

• Broadcom BCM43456: A successor to the BCM43455, providing support for Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and possibly integrated FM radio functionality in a compact form factor.

• Broadcom BCM4339: A dual-band Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Bluetooth 4.1 chip with FM radio support. Although it's an older solution, it's still found in various embedded applications.

  
  

2. MediaTek

• MediaTek MT7668: A multi-mode wireless connectivity chip that supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2. MediaTek chips are common in consumer electronics, offering good performance and power efficiency.

• MediaTek MT7663: Another option that provides Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Bluetooth 4.0. While not as advanced as the WCN3980, it still serves in lower-end devices with basic connectivity requirements.

• MediaTek MT7921: A newer chip offering Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2, representing a more modern alternative to the WCN3980, although it does not have FM radio.

3. Qualcomm (Alternative within Qualcomm)

• Qualcomm WCN3990: A newer version in Qualcomm’s family of multi-mode connectivity solutions, supporting Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 with improved performance and energy efficiency. It may be a good alternative if you need an updated Qualcomm chipset for your application.

• Qualcomm WCN3940: A lower-cost alternative, supporting Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Bluetooth 4.1/4.2. This chip might be suitable if you don’t require the higher data rates of 802.11ac but still want multi-mode connectivity.

4. Realtek

• Realtek RTL8822BE: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2 dual-mode chip often used in laptops and embedded systems. It is a direct competitor to Qualcomm's solutions in terms of wireless connectivity performance.

• Realtek RTL8723BS: A Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Bluetooth 4.0 chip, useful for low-cost embedded systems that don't need high-performance Wi-Fi but still require wireless connectivity and Bluetooth.

5. Broadcom/Qualcomm (FM Radio support)

If FM radio is a critical feature for your application, you may need to look into ICs that specifically support FM radio functionality in addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

• Qualcomm WCN3610: Supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.0, and FM radio, commonly found in mid-tier mobile devices.

• Broadcom BCM4329: A wireless chip with Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 2.1/3.0, and FM radio support, which might be of interest if you're working on legacy systems or devices that require FM.

6. Intel (Alternative for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi)

• Intel Wireless-AC 9560: This is a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 module commonly used in laptops and other devices. While it doesn't integrate FM radio, it provides solid performance for high-speed wireless and Bluetooth communication.

Key Specifications to Compare:

• Wi-Fi Standard: Ensure the IC supports the required Wi-Fi version (Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)), depending on your speed and range requirements.

• Bluetooth Version: Look for Bluetooth 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, or 5.0, depending on your application’s need for Wireless Communication with peripherals.

• FM Radio Support: If FM radio is a crucial feature, make sure the alternative chip supports this feature.

• Power Efficiency: Especially in mobile or battery-powered devices, consider low-power features such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi power-save modes, and dynamic frequency scaling.

• Integration: Ensure the chip integrates the necessary RF components and interfaces such as SDIO, PCIe, USB, and others for seamless connectivity.

• Form Factor: Ensure the physical package meets your design requirements, whether it's QFN, BGA, or another form factor.

Conclusion:

The Qualcomm WCN3980 is a feature-rich connectivity solution, but depending on your requirements (Wi-Fi version, Bluetooth version, FM radio support, etc.), several other chips from Broadcom, MediaTek, Qualcomm (internally), and Realtek offer similar functionality. If your application requires higher data throughput (e.g., for Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.0), you may need to upgrade to more modern alternatives like the WCN3990, MT7921, or BCM43456. However, if you need to stay with legacy or lower-performance connectivity, WCN3940 or RTL8723BS could suffice.