Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.atheros.com or send an email to info@atheros.com.

Atheros and the Atheros logo are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.

Editorial Contacts:
Dakota Lee
Atheros Communications
408-720-5597
dakota.lee@atheros.com

Greg Wood
A&R Edelman for Atheros
650-762-2838
gwood@ar-edelman.com

Investor Contact:
David Allen
Atheros Communications
408-830-5762
david.allen@atheros.com

SOURCE: Atheros

mailto:dakota.lee@atheros.com
mailto:gwood@ar-edelman.com
mailto:david.allen@atheros.com

Leveraging the Rich Array of 11n Features to Enhance Rate-over-Range

Atheros' new implementation of 11n leverages a variety of range enhancement options to ensure that the high throughput levels achieved with the 3x3 MIMO configuration are maintained across the entire WLAN link.

--  Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) guards against packet loss at every
    point on the link.
--  Maximum Likelihood Demodulation (MLD) optimizes MIMO demodulation to
    boost signal strength at close range.
--  Transmit Beamforming (TxBF) focuses transmit signals to the receiver
    to enhance the link rate at mid-range on the link continuum.
--  Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) enables the receiver to optimally
    combine the MIMO signal paths, aligning time and phase of the signal
    receive to extend link reliability at longer range.

This effective combination of features results in a median rate-over-range improvement across the entire link of approximately 50 percent versus conventional 2x2 MIMO 11n solutions. Performance is maximized when products on both ends of the link are based on XSPAN with SST3, however the technology provides performance benefits when connected to all 11n solutions, and offers backward compatibility with 11g- and 11a/g-based devices.

"The recently ratified IEEE 802.11n standard provides many implementation options, ranging from 1- to 4- streams to enable unprecedented PHY rates for Wi-Fi(R). The standard also offers multiple techniques to boost transmit and receive capabilities, which help sustain these PHY rates across the wireless link," said Bill McFarland, vice president and chief technology officer of Atheros. "In XSPAN with SST3, we've implemented what we consider to be the most effective combination of these optional features and advanced techniques, to provide a WLAN platform that is best suited to support the connectivity demands of high-quality multimedia."

Serving a Wide Array of Advanced Wireless Applications

The AR9300 family of XSPAN with SST3, designed as the high-performance platform for a broad ecosystem of products, is well suited to serve the needs of multiple applications across markets.

--  PCs -- The new solutions target premium consumer and commercial PC
    platforms in high-end notebooks and desktops. Consumers who use their
    computers as media servers with "media center" applications will enjoy the
    robust coverage that the higher rate-over-range of SST3 provides. In the
    enterprise, commercial PC platforms will benefit from the efficiency of
    quicker downloads and connectivity at longer range, as well as faster
    transfers in peer-to-peer networks to improve workplace productivity.
--  Digital Home -- A variety of networking platforms are supported by the
    AR9300. They include 450 Mbps retail access points and routers, premium
    gateways capable of supporting carrier distribution of Video-over-Wireless
    across the digital home, and a variety of consumer electronic networking
    products such as TVs, set top boxes and gaming consoles able to support the
    most bandwidth-hungry, high-definition video content.
--  Enterprise/SMB -- In the enterprise, Atheros' SST3 technology will
    enable dual-band, dual-concurrent routers to provide wired Ethernet-grade
    performance that supports extended network coverage and enhanced
    productivity.

"With Wi-Fi providing Internet connectivity to just about any multimedia content that a consumer wants, the urge is growing to experience this content wherever they are -- while sitting in an airport, in a school library, or in the bedroom of their home," said Jagdish Rebello, senior director and principal industry analyst of iSuppli. "Along with this demand grows the opportunity for high-performance solutions like XSPAN with SST3, to derive the full performance benefits of the 11n standard, and deliver on the wireless multimedia promise."

Solutions that will comprise the XSPAN with SST3 ecosystem are:

   Digital Home
   AP/Router platforms
     -- AR9380/81-based single-band/dual-band Gigabit Ethernet platforms
   Carrier Gateway & CE platforms
     -- AR9380-based DSL, Cable, Set Top Box and TV solutions
   Enterprise/SMB
   AP/Router platforms
     -- AR9390-based dual-band Gigabit Ethernet POE platforms
   Computing
   Notebook and Desktop platforms
     -- AR9380 Dual-band - PCIe

XSPAN with SST3 Makes Sharing Media Content Easy with Atheros Direct Connect(TM) Technology

All computing solutions based on XSPAN with SST3 support Atheros Direct Connect, enabling notebooks to connect multimedia content directly to other client devices without transmitting through an access point. With the solutions' 450 Mbps PHY rate, Direct Connect can transfer HD content simultaneously to multiple clients, while concurrently being connected to the Internet. This capability significantly advances the usability of the Wi-Fi connection to enable anytime, anywhere sharing of content.

Delivering Low Power Advantages

Despite the AR9300 family's impressive rate-over-range, it delivers exceptionally low power through a variety of techniques implemented both in hardware and software. In solutions for PCs, Atheros has implemented Dynamic MIMO Power Save, which enables power efficiencies by downshifting to engage fewer transceivers when applications do not require the full 3x3 operation. Atheros' SST3 solutions also feature Wake-on-Wireless(TM) to enable the host to sleep for longer periods for enhanced efficiency. In all of the AR9300 networking solutions, Atheros has implemented Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (UAPSD), which allows PCs to sleep more often and longer when connected to SST3-based routers. And, across the entire family of AR9300 solutions, Atheros has implemented its patented Efficient Power Amplifier(TM) (EPA) technology to lower the power utilization when the PA is integrated onto the chip.

Product Availability

Atheros will begin sampling its XSPAN with SST3 solutions in the first quarter of 2010.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.atheros.com or send an email to info@atheros.com.

Atheros, the Atheros logo, XSPAN, SST3, Align, Direct Connect, Wake-on-Wireless, and Efficient Power Amplifier 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 the features, benefits and performance of Atheros' 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, difficulties in the development of new and enhanced products, general economic conditions, the effects of competition and technological change, and the risks detailed in Atheros' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, 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.

Editorial Contacts:
Dakota Lee
Atheros Communications
408-720-5597
dakota.lee@atheros.com

Greg Wood
A&R Edelman for Atheros
650-762-2838
gwood@ar-edelman.com

Investor Contact:
David Allen
Atheros Communications
408-830-5762
david.allen@atheros.com

SOURCE: Atheros

mailto:dakota.lee@atheros.com
mailto:gwood@ar-edelman.com
mailto:david.allen@atheros.com

Industry-Leading Throughput for Mobile WLANs

The AR6003 delivers actual end-user throughput up to four times that of mobile WLAN solutions based on 11g. With its 11n capabilities, the AR6003 achieves up to 48Mbps TCP/IP in the 2.4 GHz band in 20 MHz mode, and an unprecedented 85Mbps TCP/IP in 5 GHz in 40 MHz mode.

The new ROCm AR6003 enhances its rate-over-range performance above the coverage improvements inherent in the 802.11n MAC and PHY, by leveraging advanced optional 11n features such as Space Time Block Coding (STBC) and Low Density Parity Check (LDPC). STBC improves downlink performance to the mobile device, while LDPC encoding improves uplink performance of mobile clients to Atheros XSPAN- and Align-based wireless access points (APs). Together, these features increase actual throughput levels over longer distances.

"Wi-Fi isn't just a nice-to-have in handsets and other highly-mobile devices -- it's essential," said Craig Mathias, a Principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group (Ashland, MA). "Single-stream 802.11n is the ideal solution in this use case enabling high-performance multimedia applications, and we expect to see hundreds of millions of single-stream products -- from handsets to netbooks, gaming devices, cameras, and eBooks, just to name a few -- ship over the next few years. Atheros is building on its leadership position and catching a big wave here, enabling capabilities that will amaze and delight product designers and consumers alike."

Unparalleled Energy Efficiency

The AR6003 features the lowest current consumption of any 11n mobile WLAN solution on the market today to significantly extend battery life, while supporting the power demands of transmitting large media files. Building on the market-proven power efficiency of the AR6002 combined with the low-power benefits derived from faster transmissions at 11n speeds, the AR6003, like its predecessor, is breaking the power barrier for mobile WLAN. The AR6003 also employs the company's patented on-chip Efficient Power Amplifier(TM) (EPA) technology to reduce the power typically consumed by internal PAs, while delivering the output power of an external PA. The result is an average receive current consumption at 11n rates that is 20 percent lower than that of the AR6002, previously the industry's lowest power mobile WLAN solution.

Atheros AR6003 Goes Beyond Coexistence with Universal Wireless Cooperation(TM)

In designing the AR6003, Atheros implemented a suite of advanced mobile wireless coexistence techniques, known as Atheros Universal Wireless Cooperation, in its firmware to significantly enhance the simultaneous operation of WLAN and Bluetooth in mobile devices. This suite consists of features such as:

--  Shared Rx mechanism -- Improves WLAN and Bluetooth coexistence by
    enabling the AR6003 to route the receive traffic through its internal low
    noise amplifier (LNA) directly to the Bluetooth RF port. As a result, the
    solution is able to optimize mobile WLAN throughput when co-located with
    any Bluetooth chip.
--  Advanced Coexistence Enhancements -- Employing advanced Packet Traffic
    Arbitration (PTA)-focused algorithms, the AR6003 is able to quickly examine
    the contents of WLAN frames to prioritize Wi-Fi traffic and optimize
    throughput, while avoiding interference with Bluetooth operation.
    Additional algorithms significantly improve WLAN rate-over-range
    performance when cooperating with Bluetooth, without compromising
    throughput at close range.

"Leveraging Atheros' innovation, market leadership and expertise in 11n technology, we are pleased to deliver yet another mobile WLAN breakthrough with the AR6003," said Amir Faintuch, vice president and general manager of Atheros' mobile business unit. "With this Align-based solution running on a standard 1500 mAh battery dedicated to Wi-Fi alone, a user could download nearly one terabyte of data. That's equivalent to transferring 250,000 songs or 40 HD-quality movies."

Industry's Smallest 11n Mobile WLAN Solution

Atheros has taken integration to a new level with the AR6003 to enable 11n-class performance in a wider variety of mobile handsets and handheld products. The AR6003 eliminates many external components compared to competitive mobile WLAN solutions. The solution features an integrated, linearized, high-efficiency power amplifier, and power management unit (PMU) on chip enabling direct connection to the battery. The result of this integration is the industry's most compact standalone 11n solution, measuring a miniscule 5mm x 5mm.

The AR6003 is available in single (2.4 GHz) and dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) options in BGA or CSP packages to satisfy a wide array of application design requirements.

--  AR6003G -- 11n 1-stream 2.4 GHz single-band solution, BGA package
--  AR6003GZ -- 11n 1-stream 2.4 GHz single-band solution, CSP package
--  AR6003X -- 11n 1-stream 2.4/5 GHz dual-band solution, BGA package
--  AR6003XZ -- 11n 1-stream 2.4/5 GHz dual-band solution, CSP package

AR6003 Enables Anywhere, Anytime Multimedia Content Sharing with Atheros Direct Connect(TM)

The AR6003 features Atheros Direct Connect AP Mode, the company's peer-to-peer Wi-Fi technology for mobile devices. With its impressive 1-stream 11n throughput levels up to 85 Mbps transmitted over Direct Connect, the solution can share rich media content with other Wi-Fi-enabled devices anywhere, anytime, while simultaneously maintaining Internet connectivity for email, browsing and file downloads.

Other Features

ROCm software offers designers the flexibility to build an enhanced mobile device with host wakeup, and Wi-Fi Protected Setup(TM) (WPS).

Product Availability

Atheros' AR6003 third-generation ROCm solutions are currently sampling and already designed into various mobile applications

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.atheros.com or send an email to info@atheros.com.

Atheros, the Atheros logo, ROCm, Align, XSPAN, Efficient Power Amplifier, Atheros Universal Wireless Cooperation and Direct Connect 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 the features, benefits and performance of Atheros' 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, difficulties in the development of new and enhanced products, general economic conditions, the effects of competition and technological change, and the risks detailed in Atheros' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, 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.

Editorial Contacts:
Dakota Lee
Atheros Communications
408-720-5597
dakota.lee@atheros.com

Greg Wood
A&R Edelman for Atheros
650-762-2838
gwood@ar-edelman.com

Investor Contact:
David Allen
Atheros Communications
408-830-5762
david.allen@atheros.com

SOURCE: Atheros

mailto:dakota.lee@atheros.com
mailto:gwood@ar-edelman.com
mailto:david.allen@atheros.com

Bringing a New Level of Functionality to Mobile Wireless

A growing number of applications can leverage the high-performance combination of 11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in mobile gaming equipment, eBook readers, PMPs and smartbooks. The 11n connection allows users to quickly and easily download rich media content from the Internet and Atheros Direct Connect to enable sharing of this content with a variety of client devices. Simultaneously, a user can connect to Bluetooth wireless audio headsets and speakers, mice or keyboards. The addition of Bluetooth 3.0 + HS further enhances the flexibility of the AR6133 by enabling seamless high-speed bulk synchronization with other BT 3.0 + HS-enabled devices.

Unparalleled Mobile WLAN and Bluetooth Integration

Like the AR6003, the AR6133 features an impressive level of integration including on-chip Efficient Power Amplifier(TM) (EPA) technology, integrated power management unit (PMU) for direct connectivity to the battery, sleep clock, and one-time programmable memory, eliminating the need for EEPROM. The solution also features direct connect to the antenna and on-chip self-calibration. These enhancements significantly simplify and reduce the cost of integrating Wi-Fi(R) and Bluetooth technologies in a wide array of mobile CE devices.

The AR6133 also provides an innovative unified interface which enables both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to be supported across a high-speed, low-latency SDIO interface, which significantly enhances the efficiency of the host processor and is ideal for low-power mobile operation. Combining the benefits of its unified interface with the AR6133's near-zero rest of bill of materials (RBOM), manufacturers can now deliver an enhanced wireless user experience, providing seamless LAN and PAN connectivity.

Atheros Universal Wireless Cooperation(TM) for Superior Wi-Fi Bluetooth Coexistence

With Atheros Universal Wireless Cooperation, the AR6133 goes beyond coexistence to offer enhanced cooperation between WLAN and Bluetooth signals. Using an advanced suite of mobile wireless coexistence techniques including channel protection and timesharing mechanisms, and the proprietary Atheros WLAN/Bluetooth Coexistence Agent(TM), the AR6133 enables superior WLAN and Bluetooth coexistence in any mobile device.

Unparalleled Flexibility

The AR6133 measures a remarkable 8.3mm x 9.2mm (1.0 mm thickness) and is available in a 64 pad QFN-like package. A footprint compatible WLAN-only option, the AR6103, is also available for manufacturers looking to add standalone 11n to an SDIO-based mobile device. The AR6133 and AR6103 solution options give designers unprecedented flexibility to address different application requirements with either a combo or standalone 11n solution, while maintaining the same PCB design.

"Combination solutions are growing in popularity among mobile gaming and portable CE, fueled by new entertainment and productivity use cases," said Amir Faintuch, vice president and general manager of Atheros' mobile business unit. "With the new AR6133, our customers can easily design a complete turnkey mobile 11n and Bluetooth combination solution into next-generation mobile consumer products, enabling consumers to enjoy the benefits of portable, seamless connectivity."

Product Availability

Atheros' AR6133 and AR6103 ROCm solutions are currently sampling.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.atheros.com or send an email to info@atheros.com.

Atheros, the Atheros logo, ROCm, Direct Connect, Efficient Power Amplifier, Atheros WLAN/Bluetooth Coexistence Agent and Atheros Universal Wireless Cooperation 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 the features, benefits and performance of Atheros' 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, difficulties in the development of new and enhanced products, general economic conditions, the effects of competition and technological change, and the risks detailed in Atheros' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, 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.

Editorial Contacts:
Dakota Lee
Atheros Communications
408-720-5597
dakota.lee@atheros.com

Greg Wood
A&R Edelman for Atheros
650-762-2838
gwood@ar-edelman.com

Investor Contact:
David Allen
Atheros Communications
408-830-5762
david.allen@atheros.com

SOURCE: Atheros

mailto:dakota.lee@atheros.com
mailto:gwood@ar-edelman.com
mailto:david.allen@atheros.com