Atheros Introduces First USB 2.0 WLAN Chips with Super G(TM) and Super AG(TM) Technology

Fully Integrated USB 2.0 Interface Connects Desktop PCs, Notebook PCs, and a Wide Range of Consumer Electronics Devices to High-Performance Wireless Networks

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 3, 2004-- Atheros Communications (Nasdaq: ATHR - News), a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today introduced the Atheros AR5005UG and AR5005UX, featuring a completely integrated universal serial bus (USB) 2.0 interface. Using these new chipsets, WLAN equipment manufacturers can deliver high-performance 802.11g and 802.11a/g wireless connectivity with Atheros' Super G and Super AG adaptive bandwidth technology to any device with a USB port.

In addition to connecting desktop and laptop PCs, USB 2.0 support enables a new class of wirelessly connected products. This new WLAN application class includes digital video recorders (DVRs), high-quality video conferencing cameras, high-resolution scanners, and high-density storage devices. Any device that has a USB 2.0 port can now access a high-performance 802.11g or 802.11a/g wireless network using an Atheros-based wireless USB product.

Atheros is also introducing industry-leading small-form-factor reference designs based on the AR5005UG and AR5005UX. These designs measure only 2.57 inches by 0.96 inches and substantially reduce the number of discrete components required for implementation.

"Atheros is committed to introducing new products that enhance the wireless user experience," said Colin Macnab, vice president of marketing and business development for Atheros. "By making wireless an easy upgrade option to any device through a USB port, we're enabling our customers to offer high-performance wireless capabilities in a wider array of their products."

Like Atheros' existing WLAN solutions, the AR5005UG and AR5005UX support the latest WLAN security standards in hardware, without performance reduction. These hardware-supported standards include Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) and 802.11i Enhanced Security using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). In contrast, competing wireless LAN products with firmware encryption can suffer a 20-50 percent performance reduction when WPA or AES is enabled. The AR5005UG and AR5005UX also support Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX).

To facilitate the convergence of voice, video, and data communications on wireless networks, the AR5005UG and AR5005UX support the Wireless Media Extensions (WME) Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities defined in the IEEE 802.11e draft standard. For even greater performance, these chips feature Atheros' Super G and Super AG technology, utilizing adaptive bandwidth technology to deliver over 60 Mbps of performance-on-demand throughput based on channel availability. The chips also support Atheros eXtended Range(TM) (XR) operation, which enables connections at greater distances from the access point where signals are otherwise too weak to connect.

Atheros AR5005UG and AR5005UX availability

Atheros is currently sampling the AR5005UG and AR5005UX to its customers. Products based on the AR5005UG and AR5005UX are expected to begin shipping in the third quarter.