New WLAN Chipset Paired with Atheros' NPU Drives Draft 802.11n Networking
Products Toward Mainstream Market Adoption
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atheros
Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced
wireless solutions, today announced the launch of its AR5008V XSPAN(TM)
chipset, a high-performance, cost-optimized draft 802.11n solution
featuring a 2x2 MIMO design. The AR5008V chipset is supported by Atheros'
first family of network processors, the AR7100. This pairing reduces the
manufacturing costs of draft 802.11n wireless routers and access points
(APs), enabling broad adoption of the new, high-performance WLAN
technology.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060828/SFM065 )
Atheros Launches Network Processor Family for High-Performance WLANs
Unlike general-purpose central processing units (CPUs), Atheros' AR7100
family is optimized for wireless LAN (WLAN) AP/router performance, features
and cost. The first two members of the high-performance, scalable AR7100
family are:
-- AR7100B -- 300MHz with dual 10/100 Ethernet ports
-- AR7100P -- 400MHz with dual 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet ports
To deliver draft optimal 802.11n performance in wireless APs and
routers, the Atheros network processors offer an impressive set of features
and interfaces, including a high-performance MIPS-based processor core; a
33/66 MHz PCI interface; dual Ethernet ports for LAN and WAN connectivity;
a high- speed 32-bit DDR memory controller to support high-bandwidth
applications; and on-chip cache memory.
Additionally, Atheros' AR7100 network processors offer a rich array of
interfaces to support next-generation triple-play applications, such as
dual USB 2.0 interfaces for wireless network storage and printing; a PCM
interface to support analog and VoIP telephony; and an I(2)S interface to
support audio streaming through the router.
The NPU's processing power results in higher performance for routers
and access points that can enable bandwidth-intensive multimedia
applications such as streaming high-definition video and MP3 files, while
simultaneously supporting latency-sensitive applications such as
multi-player video games and voice over Wi-Fi calls.
"Fast processors, particularly those supporting Gigabit Ethernet,
maximize draft 802.11n performance, which delivers more than six times
greater throughput than the 802.11g or 802.11a standards," said Joseph
Byrne, senior analyst with The Linley Group and author of A Guide to SOHO
Gateway Processors. "The AR7100, coupled with Atheros' advanced wireless
LAN technology, will enable cost-effective, high-performance routers to
quickly come to market."
Atheros AR5008V Draft 802.11n WLAN Solutions
The AR5008V family includes the following:
Client Solutions
-- AR5008(E)-2NX, 2x2, 2.4/5GHz (PCI, PCI Express)
-- AR5008(E)-2NG, 2x2, 2.4GHz only (PCI, PCI Express)
AP/Router Solutions
-- AR5008AP-2NX, 2x2, 2.4/5GHz
-- AR5008AP-2NG, 2x2, 2.4GHz only
The AR5008V chipset is a highly integrated, cost-optimized solution for
Atheros' customers wanting to deliver 802.11n performance at mainstream
WLAN prices. The 2x2 solution, based on Atheros' XSPAN technology, achieves
cost savings through silicon and other bill of materials cost reductions.
It provides PCI and PCIe host interface support for integrating the chipset
into laptops, routers and APs.
The chipset, which delivers higher throughput at range than competing
2x2 solutions, provides reliable coverage throughout the home, and up to
300 megabits-per-second (Mbps) physical data rates. This robust coverage
enables consumers to enjoy the growing number of bandwidth-hungry wireless
applications, conveniently and reliably in any room of the home.
As with the entire Atheros XSPAN family, the AR5008V features all the
mandatory technical elements in the Draft 1.0 802.11n specification to
ensure interoperability with both legacy devices and draft 802.11n products
that adhere to the specification.
The combination of Atheros' XSPAN 2x2 solutions with the 300MHz AR7100B
enables complete, high value AP/Router solutions offering draft 802.11n
performance at leading retail home networking price points. The 400MHz
AR7100P with Gigabit Ethernet capability provides the most robust draft
802.11n performance when paired with Atheros' 3x3 XSPAN solutions with
Signal Sustain Technology(TM).
"Atheros is committed to delivering solutions that drive mainstream
market adoption of 802.11n technology," said Todd Antes, vice president of
marketing for Atheros. "The debut of the new 2x2 member of our highly
successful XSPAN family, together with the introduction of our first
network processor solutions, delivers a potent combination of high
performance and design flexibility that will help our customers bring the
benefits of 802.11n to a broad market."
Atheros' XSPAN technology has been widely adopted by leading WLAN
product manufacturers worldwide and is featured in retail networking
equipment including the Belkin N1 Wireless Networking Line, D-Link's
RangeBooster N series, and the Linksys Wireless-N Broadband product line.
Product Availability
The AR5008V chipset and associated AR7100 network processors are
currently sampling to key customers.
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, networking equipment and handset manufacturers. For more
information, visit http://www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.
Atheros, the Atheros logo, XSPAN and Signal Sustain Technology are
trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned
in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.
NOTE ON 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' XSPAN draft 802.11n technology, 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 AR7100 and AR5008 chipsets upon broad deployment,
and other risks detailed in Atheros' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission 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.
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Related links:
http://www.atheros.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060828/SFM065
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Editorial: Dakota Lee of Atheros
Communications, +1-408-720-5597 or dakota@atheros.com, or Greg
Wood of A&R Edelman, +1-650-762-2838 or gwood@ar-edelman.com, for
Atheros; or IR: Deb Stapleton of Stapleton Communications,
+1-650-470-0200 or deb@stapleton.com, for Atheros
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