Samsung Electronic-Mechanics develops WLAN combo products using Atheros Communications chipsets. Combo solution supports IEEE 802.11a/g/b WLAN standards.

By merging key expertise at the system and silicon levels, the companies are bringing highly secure, high-bandwidth wireless networks to a broad array of users. Samsung is combining its systems knowledge with Atheros' silicon and software technology to develop WLAN products that support the 5-GHz 802.11a and 2.4-GHz 802.11b standards as well as the 2.4-GHz 802.11g draft standard.

By developing wireless LAN products based on the industry-leading Atheros 802.11a/b/g solution, Samsung can further strengthen its ultra-high-speed wireless LAN business," said Bong-Rak Choi, Vice President and General Manager of Samsung Electro-Mechanics. "Our initial business focus is on major overseas markets such as the US and Japan, where the 5-GHz market is growing rapidly. With 5-GHz spectrum rules pending in Korea, Samsung expects to provide products based on this dual-band technology to customers in Korea soon."

According to market research firm IDC, the currently dominant market share of 802.11b will begin to shrink from 2004 on, to be replaced rapidly by 5-GHz 802.11a and 802.11a/b/g (2.4/5 GHz) combo technologies. Atheros was the first company to ship chipsets based on the IEEE 802.11a standard and the first and only to ship 802.11a/b/g chipsets in volume. The company is the industry leader in OFDM-based wireless networking technology—the technology that underlies both 802.11a and 802.11g.

“Atheros’ and Samsung share a vision of ubiquitous high-speed wireless connections among all kinds of computing, voice, audio, and video devices,” said Rich Redelfs, Atheros president and CEO. “Atheros takes pride in working with Samsung Electro-Mechanics because of their world-class understanding of how to integrate wireless capabilities into many different devices. In both design and manufacturing, Samsung clearly has what it takes to deliver high-quality WLAN products.”

The WLAN chipset being used by Samsung is Atheros’ three-chip combo solution supporting the high-performance 802.11a, the 802.11g draft, and legacy 802.11b wireless specifications. This flexibility to connect to any standard WLAN is enhanced by security flexibility as well.  The comprehensive security suite features the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the state-of-the-art encryption scheme selected by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology to replace 3DES. Also part of the flexible security portfolio is WEP/TKIP encryption for backward compatibility with older systems, 802.1x authentication, and support for virtual private networks (VPNs) and virtual LANs (VLANs). The VLAN support enables a single wireless infrastructure that separates transactions for secure and insecure traffic—separate segments for a company’s employees and guests, for example.                                                                                                       

About Samsung Electro-Mechanics

Since 1973, Samsung Electro Mechanics has been developing and delivering the parts and components the electronics industry depends on. Focusing on developing multi-layer circuit boards, chip components, optical devices, mobile communications components, and other cutting-edge products throughout the 1990s, SEM leveraged its substantial expertise in high-frequency, software, engineering, and manufacturing technologies to begin a major advance into the Internet product and digital component fields late in the decade. SEM continues to solidify its position as one of the world's leading general electronic component makers. For more details, please visit www.sem.samsung.co.kr.                                   

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, Acrowave Systems, AirVast Technology, ALPS, Ambit, Askey, ASUS, BenQ, Contec, CyberTAN, Delta Networks, D-Link, Gemtek, Gigabyte Technology, Global Sun Tech, ICOM, Intel, Intermec, I-O Data, Linksys, NEC, NETGEAR, Philips, Proxim, Samsung, Senao, SMC Networks, Sony, Symbol, TDK, TECOM, USI, W2 Networks, Wistron NeWeb, Z-Com and others. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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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.

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