Atheros Communications Introduces Industry's First Single-Chip PCI Express(TM) Compliant Wireless LAN Solutions
High-Performance 802.11a/g and 802.11g WLAN Technology in a Compact Form Factor Unwires Next-Generation Notebook PCs
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atheros
Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless
LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced the world's first complete single-chip
IEEE 802.11a/g (Atheros AR5006EX) and 802.11g (Atheros AR5006EG) WLAN
solutions with support for PCI Express(TM). The chips integrate an entire WLAN
solution-media access controller (MAC), baseband processor, and a
high-performance 2.4/5-GHz radio or 2.4-GHz radio-in a low-cost digital CMOS
design.
With this high level of integration, the AR5006EX and AR5006EG enable the
entire WLAN solution to fit on a single-sided mini card or ExpressCard design,
creating the ideal choice for aftermarket and embedded WLAN solutions for
personal computers. These designs exploit the ability of the PCI Express bus
architecture to support high-performance computing with up to
2.5-gigabit-per-second transmit and receive rates-a 150 percent improvement
over the existing PCI architecture.
"The AR5006EX and AR5006EG, our sixth-generation wireless LAN solutions,
further solidify Atheros' position as a market leader in high-performance,
low-cost wireless semiconductors," said Craig Barratt, president and chief
executive officer of Atheros Communications. "We're proud to enable
next-generation wireless multimedia applications in ultra-compact notebook PCs
by integrating PCI Express' compact design and high-speed performance with our
advanced wireless LAN technology. Our PCI Express chips have been sampling
with customers since early Q1, and key PC OEMs have already committed to using
these innovative Atheros designs in their next-generation laptops."
The AR5006EX offers seamless connectivity to all Wi-Fi networks anywhere
in the world and support for Atheros XR(TM) (eXtended Range) and Super AG(R)
performance enhancements. The AR5006EG offers 802.11g connectivity with the
same performance enhancement capabilities as the AR5006EX.
Additionally, both chips support the industry's most robust security
standard, IEEE 802.11i. An AES encryption engine is built into the hardware of
all Atheros 802.11a/g and 802.11g chipsets, allowing real-time encryption with
no performance degradation in computing, consumer electronics and wireless
broadband applications. Atheros' chipsets also support wireless multimedia and
draft 802.11e Quality of Service (QoS) specifications, providing advanced
features for delivering wired-quality video and audio content via a wireless
connection.
The AR5006EX and AR5006EG are among many firsts for Atheros. The company
introduced the world's first single-chip 802.11g and 802.11a/g solutions for
client devices, as well as a single-chip 802.11g Access Point (AP) device in
2004. This year, Atheros also introduced the world's first single-chip
solution for PHS (Personal Handyphone System).
Super AG(R) technology
Atheros' popular Super AG performance-enhancement features are supported
in the new single-chip AR5006EX and AR5006EG. Super AG employs multiple
techniques-including Dynamic Turbo with Adaptive Radio technology, packet
bursting, fast frames, and data compression-to dramatically increase the
throughput and range of wireless networking products. The technology supports
up to 108 megabits-per-second (Mbps) link rates, and enables user throughput
of more than 60 Mbps.
eXtended Range technology
The AR5006EX and AR5006EG chips also support Atheros' eXtended Range
technology, XR, which enables single-access-point coverage in home networking
environments, eliminates "dead spots" in corporate wireless LANs, and provides
outdoor coverage of up to two times the distance of competing WLAN solutions.
Atheros AR5006EX and AR5006EG availability
Atheros is currently sampling the AR5006EX and AR5006EG to lead customers.
Volume production is expected in Q3 2005.
About Atheros Communications, Inc.
Atheros Communications is a leading developer of semiconductor system
solutions for wireless communications products. Atheros combines its wireless
systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and
digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that
are manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by a broad
base of leading customers, including personal computer and networking
equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit http://www.atheros.com or send
email to [email protected].
NOTE: Atheros, the Atheros logo, Atheros XR, and Super AG are trademarks
of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this
document are the sole property of their respective owners.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, including statements regarding the features,
performance and benefits of Atheros' AR5006EX and AR5006EG single-chip
solutions and the potential applications of these products, and the expected
timing of volume production of the AR5006EX and AR5006EG products, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including, but not limited to, difficulties in development and manufacture of
new products and upgraded products, unforeseen problems in the performance of
the AR5006EX and AR5006EG chips upon volume production and broad deployment of
these products, and other risks detailed in Atheros' Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 as filed with the SEC and in
other reports filed with the SEC by Atheros from time to time. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims
any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Atheros Communications, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.atheros.com