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

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


SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 16  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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/ .

NOTE:  All trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their
respective owners.

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. 

DATASOURCE: Atheros Communications, Inc.



CONTACT:  Cheryl Patstone of Atheros, [phone], or

; or Greg Wood of A&R Partners, [phone], or

, for Atheros



Web site:  http://www.tgnsync.org/ 

Web site:  http://www.atheros.com/ 

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