Atheros’ WLAN Software Brings High-Performance, Low-Power and Enhanced-Security Features to Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0

ROCm Platform Delivers Industry-Leading 802.11 User Experience in Mobile Wireless Handsets and Handheld Devices

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2006 — Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced that its wireless LAN (WLAN) software has been selected to provide 802.11 connectivity for the Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 operating system. Atheros’ WLAN software provides handset and Consumer Electronics manufacturers with a Microsoft-verified platform for immediate deployment of low-power, high-performance and security-enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities in cellular and VoIP handsets, handheld devices, media players and other mobile consumer devices running the Windows CE 6.0 operating system.

Atheros’ wireless software for its Radio-on-Chip for Mobile (ROCm®) solutions has undergone and passed rigorous, extensive Microsoft tests. Both companies have received Wi-Fi Alliance certification for 802.11 devices.        

Atheros’ ROCm family products that support Windows Embedded CE 6.0 include the AR6001GL single-chip 802.11b/g and AR6001XL single-chip 802.11a/b/g WLAN solutions. The chips deliver reliability, high throughput and sensitivity performance while also satisfying stringent mobile requirements: low power consumption, small form factor, and low overhead operation for host devices. Additionally, the ROCm family provides full-speed, hardware-based security compliant with the WPA, WPA2 and 802.11i standards, and fast-roaming capabilities optimized with Windows Embedded CE 6.0. The fast-roaming feature enables dual-mode handsets to seamlessly switch between wireless access points when a user moves throughout a building or enterprise campus. The result is clear, undisrupted, latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP calls and media downloads

 “A growing number of new handhelds and media players are offering Wi-Fi capabilities to help people stay better connected,” said Jane Gilson, director of the Windows Mobile and Embedded Devices Group at Microsoft Corp. “Atheros ROCm platform provides our Windows Embedded CE 6.0 operating system with an essential blend of proven, high-performance wireless LAN technology, software stability and ease of implementation that enables our customers to enrich people’s lives through greater mobility.”

Typically, handset and Consumer Electronics manufacturers invest a considerable amount of development and test time integrating wireless capability into the Windows Embedded CE platform for each unique device design. Adding Atheros’ WLAN subsystem into the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 platform provides manufacturers with pre-integrated, tested wireless functionality without the extensive development and time expense.

“Atheros is making it much easier for handset and handheld manufacturers to quickly enable high-performance wireless LAN in mobile communications devices running on Windows Embedded CE 6.0,” said Sam Endy, vice president and general manager, mobile wireless for Atheros. “We’re pleased that Atheros’ ROCm technology has been selected to provide Wi-Fi connectivity for handset and handheld devices based on the Windows CE Embedded 6.0 operating system.”   

Atheros AR6001GL and AR6001XL solutions provide easy network setup based on the forthcoming Wi-Fi Alliance configuration standard and a rich feature set including prioritized and polled Quality of Service (QoS) extensions (802.11e and WMM).

The chips significantly reduce power consumption through the use of techniques such as automatic power save delivery (WMM-APSD) and Atheros’ proprietary low-power sleep mode.

Additionally, high-throughput transmissions enabled with Atheros WLAN minimize transmit/receive times to further extend sleep mode. A self-contained driver on the chips’ embedded processor takes routine network maintenance tasks off the host processor’s load to achieve incremental power savings. These and other power-saving strategies have enabled the AR6001GL and AR6001XL to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of WLAN operation and significantly extend battery life in comparison to competing WLAN solutions.

For more information about Atheros’ WLAN software integrated into the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 platform and additional details about the upcoming software launch, please visit www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce6launch/default.mspx.

For more information regarding the AR6001 family of WLAN solutions, please visit: www.atheros.com/pt/AR6001Bulletins.htm. 

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 www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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Atheros, the Atheros logo, and ROCm 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’ ROCm family of solutions and the software for these solutions; the anticipated benefits of pre-verification of Atheros’ WLAN software with the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 operating system; the collaboration between Atheros and Microsoft; and the anticipated continued growth of the market for incorporating WLAN capability into mobile consumer devices, 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 the development and manufacture of new products and upgraded products; the effects of competition and technological change; the timing and extent of the incorporation of wireless LAN into mobile consumer devices; and other risks detailed in Atheros’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 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.