Introduced in March 2002, the AR5001X Combo WLAN Solution is a highly integrated three-chip set supporting the high-performance IEEE802.11a, the 802.11g draft, and legacy 802.11b wireless specifications. The chipset is the industry's first to support all of the IEEE wireless LAN standards. It also sets a new industry benchmark for wireless security, performance, and international interoperability.

The AR5001X is sampling today and is being implemented in customer Mini PCI, CardBus and Access Point products that are scheduled for availability in the second half of 2002. The chipset offers a comprehensive security suite including a line-speed engine for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), WEP/TKIP support for backward compatibility with older systems, 802.1x authentication, and support for virtual private networks (VPNs) and virtual LANs (VLANs).

Using Atheros Smart Select^TM technology, the AR5001X will make wireless LANs much easier to use by automatically choosing the optimal radio-frequency specification (a/g/b), data rate, error correction method, power management features, and security protocol for the available wireless network. Smart Select^TM then dynamically adapts to changing conditions as the user roams within that network. The chipset also includes support for the 108-Mbps Atheros Turbo Mode^TM and Dynamic Frequency Selection and Transmit Power Control features to satisfy European requirements for 5 GHz Wireless LANs. For more details about the innovative AR5001X Combo WLAN Solution, visit www.atheros.com.

The editors of Network Computing, InformationWeek and EE Times - the premier media brands in their respective categories - reviewed submissions and then scoured the show floor evaluating new products, selecting the Grand Prize Winner from among the Best of Interop award winners.

The Best of Interop Awards are designed to help IT and network managers shorten the evaluation process in assessing new products. By identifying innovative products debuted at NetWorld+Interop, the Best of Interop Awards assist in the quest for Internet-enabled solutions. Atheros' AR5001X Combo WLAN Solution was singled out from a field of products already selected as winners in their categories to receive the highest honor of Grand Prize Winner from over 250 entries.

"With all the great new products being shown here this week, we are honored that this demanding panel of judges selected Atheros' chipset for the Best of Interop Grand Prize," said Rich Redelfs, president and chief executive officer for Atheros. "It's great to see the judges recognize the efforts our engineers have made to drive the wireless future by enabling secure, scaleable, connect-anywhere WLANs at an affordable price."

"IT and corporate management are charged with identifying the products, technologies and services that will drive results," said Ron Anderson, Lab Director for Network Computing and head of this year's Best of Interop distinguished editorial judging team. "We selected Atheros' AR5001X Combo WLAN Solution as the Best of Interop Grand Prize Winner because we believe it exemplifies the critical aspects necessary to solve business initiatives. It is truly the best-of-the-best debuted at NetWorld+Interop 2002 Las Vegas," stated Anderson.

About CMP Media

CMP Media (www.cmp.com) is a leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum-the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. Capitalizing on its editorial strength, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers' comprehensive, integrated media solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Its diverse products and services include newspapers, magazines, Internet products, research, direct marketing services, education and training, trade shows and conferences, custom publishing, testing and consulting.

About NetWorld+Interop

NetWorld+Interop is the world's premier education and interactive event forum for technical professionals responsible for network and IT strategies from large enterprise and service provider organizations. The professional and business interests of the community are promoted through 4 proven elements: Quality education taught by experts in networking, technology demonstrations featured in our InteropNet programs, an interactive show floor featuring top networking and telecommunications vendors, and a global platform delivering quality events in 6 countries

NetWorld+Interop is a Key3Media event. Key3Media Group, Inc., is the world's leading producer of information technology tradeshows and conferences, serving more than 5,300 exhibiting companies and 1.3 million attendees through 60 events in 17 countries. Key3Media's products range from the IT industry's largest exhibitions such as COMDEX and NetWorld+Interop to highly focused events featuring renowned educational programs, custom seminars and specialized vendor marketing programs.

About Atheros Communications

Atheros Communications is the leading developer of networking technologies for secure, high-performance wireless local area networks. As the industry innovator and market-share leader in wireless OFDM technology compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specifications, Atheros is driving transparent connections among electronic devices in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's leading wireless equipment manufacturers including Accton, Actiontec, ALPS Electric, Intel, Intermec, Netgear, Philips, Proxim, SMC Networks, Sony, TDK, UltraDevices and others. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

For press and analyst inquiries contact: Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344, cheryl@atheros.com or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838, gwood@arpartners.com.