Sony Partners With Atheros Communications to Develop Next-Generation Wireless LAN Products

November 12, 2001

Atheros 802.11a Technology Provides Advanced Wireless Networking Capability in PC and Consumer Electronics Products from Sony

Atheros Communications announced today that Sony will use Atheros 802.11a wireless LAN technology to enable next-generation wireless connectivity in PC and consumer electronics products.

As the first step in the collaboration between the two companies, Sony has integrated the Atheros AR5000 chipset into new 5GHz wireless LAN PC card and access point products for Sony's popular VAIO line of computing products. The PCWA-C500 model PC Card and the PCWA-A500 model Access Point will be available in Japan on November 3.

Sony also plans to incorporate 802.11a wireless LAN technology into future 5GHz-enabled consumer electronics products for the global market.

"We're delighted that Sony has chosen the AR5000 chipset for its new 5GHz WLAN products," said Rich Redelfs, president and chief executive officer of Atheros Communications. "As one of the world's most recognized and respected brands, Sony will be a driving force behind introducing the benefits of 802.11a technology to a whole new class of wirelessly connected products across the PC and consumer electronics markets. We're excited to be a part of this."

The Atheros AR5000 solution provides full wireless LAN connectivity compliant with the IEEE 802.11a 5GHz standard. The company's breakthrough architecture consists of a highly integrated two-chip set that comprises the world's first complete 5GHz "Radio-on-a-Chip" (RoC) and MAC/baseband processor fabricated exclusively in standard-process digital CMOS. By packing a complete wireless LAN solution into two chips, the AR5000 chipset delivers cost-effective, robust connectivity at far higher data rates than were previously possible. The chipset supports all 802.11a data rates up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps), as well as extended rates up to 72 Mbps in Atheros Turbo ModeT.


[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]

Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group

logo.gif (1569 bytes)