Multi-Industry Group Delivers Unified 802.11n Proposal for Next-Generation, High Performance Wireless LANs

SUNNYVALE, Calif., August 16, 2004 — TGn Sync, a coalition of more than a dozen industry leading companies across the cellular, computing, consumer electronics, enterprise, public access, and semiconductor markets, submitted a unified proposal for a next-generation wireless LAN standard to the IEEE 802.11 Task Group N (TGn).  The proposal enables a new class of low power wireless technologies that intelligently use wireless spectrum to deliver data rates up to 243 Mbps reliably in standard two antenna designs, and are extensible to over 600 Mbps.

The TGn Sync proposal expands the appeal of 802.11n beyond traditional Wi-Fi devices and high end products.  Important innovations include methods to reduce power consumption for small mobile phones and increase the user capacity of public networks.  The proposal also uses adaptive radio techniques to ensure that wireless products can adjust to the planned expansion of unlicensed and licensed spectrum in China, Japan, South Korea, North America, the European Union (EU), and other regions. 

Key Features of the TGn Sync Proposal

• Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) Spatial Division Multiplexing to support data rates of up to 243 Mbps in standard two antenna designs, with extensions to support over 600 Mbps.  This complements the evolution of modern technologies such as USB 2.0, IEEE 1394b, and PCI Express to provide a dramatic performance upgrade for users of current wireless designs.

• Adaptive Radio Technology to intelligently use spectrum and adapt to its expansion by worldwide regulatory bodies for unlicensed and licensed applications.  This allows products to remain interoperable while adapting to different numbers of spatial streams (2 to 4) as well as different amounts of spectrum (10, 20, 40 MHz).  Adaptive radio is essential to the mobile handsets, PC laptops, and other products that only have two antennas, because it dramatically increases their performance while functioning as an interoperable good neighbor.

• Both Extended Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) and Basic Beamforming to increase the speed and reliability of data links under conditions that disrupt many MIMO networks.  This enables the advanced 802.11n capabilities to be sustained over range and also maintain full interoperability with existing 802.11a/b/g devices.  This addresses enterprise and public access customers’ concerns about coverage area and the ability to support a mix of old and new devices. 

• Timed Receive Mode Switching (TRMS) and Multiple Receiver Address (MRA) Power Management enables products to operate in extremely low power modes and engage advanced capabilities on demand.  This is important for voice handsets, notebook computers and any power-sensitive applications, because it lets them take full advantage of high data rates to reduce the amount of time their radios must operate.  Fast radios extend battery life.

The TGn Sync proposal will be presented at the next IEEE 802.11 meeting from September 13-17 in Berlin. The first draft of the 802.11n specification is scheduled to be completed in mid-2005 with its final ratification expected in late 2006 to early 2007.

Further information about TGn Sync, the TGn Sync proposal and technologies may be found at http://www.tgnsync.org.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the anticipated ratification of the TGn Sync proposal by the IEEE 802.11 Task Group N; the possible introduction of a unified standard based on the TGn Sync proposal that is suitable for different wireless devices; and the capabilities and benefits of the TGn Sync proposal and the 802.11n standard, 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, whether the TGn Sync proposal will be ratified and the standard adopted, whether the technologies included in the TGn Sync proposal will be successful in achieving interoperability of existing products and whether the members of the coalition and others are successful in promoting and accelerating the deployment of 802.11n technology; the impact of competitive standards proposals and products based on these proposals, technological advances, manufacturing difficulties, difficulties in development of enhanced and new products based on the 802.11n standard. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. TGn Sync and its members disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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.