New VAIO PCs Adopt
High-Performance Wireless LAN Technology From Atheros Communications
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov.
17, 2004 – Atheros
Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless
LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced that Sony has integrated Atheros WLAN
solutions with performance-boosting Super G® and Super AG® technology into a
number of its new mobile computing products introduced this fall. In addition,
the Atheros AR5005G, the world’s first single-chip 802.11g solution, is now
shipping in new note PC and desktop models from Sony.
The low cost of Atheros’ single-chip solution has allowed Sony to build wireless
connectivity into even its most price-sensitive products. Sony has integrated
the Atheros AR5005G chip into its VAIO E Series and K Series of laptops. This
single-chip solution features Atheros’ Super G technology, a set of wireless
networking capabilities that deliver the highest wireless performance available
on the market today, as measured by end-user throughput and range.
Sony has selected the same WLAN solution for its new, integrated PC and TV
offering – the Sony VAIO VGC-V2S, a wide-screen all-in-one PC that features a
TV. The innovative product was recently rolled out to European end-users.
Sony has chosen to incorporate the Atheros AR5004X 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN
chipset, featuring Super AG® technology, into its flagship notebook PCs, the type
A line. The Atheros chipset offers multi-standard 802.11a/b/g support for
universal wireless connectivity to any 802.11 network and delivers the highest
performance.
“With a single-chip solution, we are really bringing down the cost of
high-performance wireless connectivity, enabling companies, such as Sony, to
easily incorporate wireless technology into its products as a standard feature,”
said Colin Macnab, vice president of marketing and business development at
Atheros Communications. “At the same time, we are thrilled to see the momentum
that our Super G and Super AG® technology is continuing to gain across Sony’s
popular VAIO product lines.”
About Super G and Super AG®
Technology
Atheros Super G and Super AG® technology offers a combination of innovative performance-enhancement
features – packet bursting, fast frames, and data compression – that improve the
throughput and range of wireless networking products. The technology supports up
to 54 megabits-per-second (Mbps) data link rates for users in Japan, with
typical end-user throughput of up to 40 Mbps. This is the highest throughput
available on the market today, delivering user speeds that are 1.5-2.0 times
faster than standard 802.11g or 802.11a/g products. Outside Japan, with an
additional dynamic turbo mode activated, the technology can achieve throughputs
of more than 60 Mbps for typical data.
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 and networking equipment manufacturers.
For more information, visit www.atheros.com
or send email to
info@atheros.com.
# # #
Atheros,
the Atheros logo, Super G and Super AG® are trademarks of Atheros Communications,
Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of
their respective owners.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Except for the historical information
contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including
statements regarding the features, performance, capabilities and benefits of
Atheros’ and Sony’s products; and the incorporation of Atheros’ wireless
technology into Sony’s products, 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 Sony continues to incorporate Atheros’ products into its VAIO lines of
computers; the effects of competition; the rate of growth of the market for
personal computers; general economic conditions; and other risks detailed in
Atheros’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004
as filed with the SEC 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.
Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344,
cheryl@atheros.com or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838,
gwood@arpartners.com.
