TI Announces Support for MultiBand OFDM Alliance's (MBOA) Plans to Formalize Into Special Interest Group for Ultra Wideband (UWB) Technology
50+ Companies Support OFDM-Based Approach to UWB Technology, Ensuring Quick Time to Market and Interoperability for Consumers

TOKYO, Jan 26, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Texas Instruments, Inc. (NYSE: TXN) (TI) announced today its support for the MultiBand OFDM Alliance's (MBOA) plans to formalize into a Special Interest Group (SIG) supporting growth of the emerging ultra wideband (UWB) market. The formalization, announced by the MBOA today at a press conference in Tokyo, comes on the heels of the latest IEEE 802.15.3a (UWB) meetings which saw increasing support for the MBOA's UWB proposal for high speed wireless personal area networks (WPANs). (See www.ti.com/uwb for more information.)

Formal creation of the SIG is expected by the end of first quarter 2004. The group plans to publish a UWB 1.0 standard in May 2004. The group also plans to submit a proposal to the IEEE 802.15.3a working group.

"The market for UWB technology is quickly developing. In order to ensure rapid adoption and interoperability, it is crucial to have support for the technology throughout the value chain," said Yoram Solomon, general manager of TI's consumer networking business unit. "With more than 50 leading companies supporting the MBOA approach, it is clear that the OFDM-based approach to UWB is positioned to become the standard for UWB worldwide."

The MBOA now has more than 50 members, including many influential companies in the consumer electronics, personal computing, home entertainment, mobile phone, digital imaging and semiconductor spaces. This group of vendors is committed to creating a new class of compelling products incorporating high-speed wireless connectivity, allowing consumers to seamlessly transfer their digital content between a broad range of end products.

About UWB

UWB is a wireless technology for transmitting data at very high rates while using very low power. UWB is ideally suited for wireless communications with high quality of service demands, such as streaming high-definition video from a set top box to a television.

TI's technology is designed to comply with all existing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements. End users are expected to benefit from the deployment of high-rate TI-based UWB products as soon as early 2005.

Proposal Offers Rapid Path Toward Improved Performance and Functionality

TI's OFDM-based proposal emerged as the principal UWB technology candidate from the March 2003 IEEE 802.15.3a Task Group meeting due to the performance it provides in demanding applications such as wireless transmission of multiple high-definition video streams, in even the most difficult real-world environments. Key strengths also included having the best range of competing systems, and its ability to coexist with current and future wireless services. These are all key requirements for many consumer electronic applications. The TI proposal has become the basis for the merged proposal sponsored by the MBOA.

Texas Instruments - Making Wireless

TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN, Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband. From custom to turn- key solutions, including complete chipsets and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application processors, core digital signal processor and analog technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes, TI is making wireless personal, intelligent and seamless.

About The MultiBand OFDM Alliance

In support of developing the best overall solution for the emerging market in ultrawideband-based technology, the MultiBand OFDM Alliance (MBOA) was formed in June 2003 and now numbers over 50 member companies. These companies support a UWB specification that is based on an OFDM approach, originally introduced by Texas Instruments in March 2003, which will enable the broadest possible range of applications and satisfy the requirements of consumers and regulatory agencies worldwide. The MBOA has been working closely to leverage its collective expertise in the creation and publication of a MultiBand OFDM specification for UWB PHY technology and will work in harmony with other UWB standards bodies such as IEEE, WiMedia, Wireless USB Working Group, 1394 TA, CEA, and others as appropriate. The MBOA continues to conduct exhaustive testing to ensure a solution with the maximum coexistence characteristics possible with future and incumbent wireless services. The MBOA member companies will work with worldwide regulatory agencies to promote and seek specific approval for MBOA-based devices worldwide. The MBOA has also created a forum for collaboration with and by all UWB ecosystem players including antenna vendors, test and measurement vendors, upper layer protocol applications, and interfaces. Dozens of engineers are active in various MBOA technical subcommittees developing and improving the specification in areas ranging from system definition, MAC, MAC-PHY interface, scalability, regulatory, and ranging.

The MBOA membership includes some of the most influential players in the Consumer Electronics, Personal Computing, Home Entertainment, Mobile Phone, Semiconductor and Digital Imaging spaces, including: Adamya, Adimos, Alereon, Artimi, Asahi Glass Co, Broadcom, Cypress, Femto Devices, Focus Enhancements, Fujitsu, Furaxa, General Atomics, Hewlett Packard, Infineon, Institute for Infocomm Research, Intel, Jaalaa, Maxim, MCCI, MeshDynamics, Microsoft, Mitsubishi, NEC, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips, Prancer, Realtek, RFDomus, RF Micro Devices, Samsung, SiWorks, Staccato Communications, STMicroelectronics, SVC Wireless, Synopsys, TRDA, TDK, Texas Instruments, TTPCom, TZero, University of Minnesota, UnWired Connect, UWB Wireless, Vestel, VIA Networking Technologies, Wi-LAN, Wisair, Wisme and WiQuest. Collectively, these companies retain much of the world's expertise and experience in designing and building systems and silicon based upon UWB techniques. Many of these companies have designed and built UWB systems of various types over the past 10 years, including a variety of single-band and multi-band approaches. The companies in MBOA are united in their desire to arrive at the best overall solution for UWB with maximum emphasis on peaceful coexistence with other wireless services. These companies have created the MBOA with a consensus that the best technique to achieve these objectives is Multiband OFDM

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at www.ti.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements contained in this press release regarding UWB technology and the MBOA IEEE 802.15.3a proposal and ratification of same, the deployment, adoption, performance of Ultra Wideband products and standards and other statements of management's beliefs, goals and expectations may be considered "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. The following factors and the factors discussed in TI's most recent Form 10-K could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements contained in this press release: the introduction of new and competitive technologies; adoption of a standard different from the MBOA proposal, changes in customer intentions or preferences; TI's ability to meet manufacturing and capacity demands; and other factors affecting market growth or production. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward- looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

Trademarks
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

New Wireless Technologies Will Accelerate Growth in Wireless Machine-to-Machine Applications; Revenues to Exceed $4 Billion By 2008 According to Alexander Resources
DALLAS, Jan 27, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The use of new wireless technologies for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications will greatly improve and expand M2M business applications and create significant new revenue opportunities for cellular, WLAN, WPAN equipment manufacturers, service providers and application developers. This is one of the key findings from two new research reports: "Cellular M2M: Generating Profit from the Business Opportunities" and "Wireless M2M and Telematics: Gaining Value in Vertical Markets", now available from Alexander Resources, a leading research, consulting and education firm specializing in wireless communications.

The report distinguished wireless M2M from existing wireless data services and telemetry applications. Specifically wireless M2M automatically and autonomously communicates, controls and/or effects the operation of remote machines or systems in real time. Applications may include machine-to- machine, machine-to-people and people-to-machine operations.

While the market for wireless M2M has been slow to develop, it is still in its infancy. But new lower cost, sophisticated wireless technologies and networks coupled with the pressure on businesses to lower costs and be more competitive will now greatly accelerate demand and deployment of wireless M2M applications.

The report also determined that:
-- The number of cellular M2M connections will overtake the number of
cellphones in North America, Western Europe and Japan in eight years.
-- The estimated 6 billion microprocessors embedded in operating products
represents a huge market for M2M.
-- Wireless LANs will prove popular for a wide range of M2M and
telematics applications.
-- ZigBee offers new opportunities for low data rate, short-range
applications.

According to the report new wireless M2M applications will draw upon technologies such as: Bluetooth, CDMA, 1xRTT/CDMA2000, DSRC, GSM/SMS and USSD, GSM-R, GPRS, HSCSD, EDGE, PDC/PHS, RFID, TETRA, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WLAN, ZigBee, and Proprietary Wireless Data Networks.

Additional information on these two new reports can be found at: http://www.alexanderresources.com/reports.html or by contacting Alexander Resources at Reports@AlexanderResources.com or calling 972-818-8225.

About Alexander Resources

Alexander Resources is a leading provider of strategic consulting, educational services and research reports to the wireless communications industry. Founded in 1990, the company's clients include over 200 of the world's leading manufacturers and service providers of wireless communications networks, products and services.

SOURCE Alexander Resources

Jerry Kaufman of Alexander Resources, +1-972-818-8225, or
JKaufman@AlexanderResources.com

Central Michigan University Uses Airespace to Teach the Value of Wireless Mobility; New Library, Classrooms, and Clinic ''Unwired'' with Best-in-Class WLAN System

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2004--Airespace, Inc. today announced that Central Michigan University (CMU), a vibrant community of scholars, leaders, and partners dedicated to achieving excellence in undergraduate and graduate learning, has chosen the Airespace Wireless Enterprise Platform to deliver Wireless LAN (WLAN) services to students, faculty, and staff on its main campus in Mount Pleasant. CMU's initial deployment of the Airespace WLAN system is in their newly remodeled and expanded library and throughout the beautiful new Health Professions Building, which includes an operational healthcare clinic (www.chp.cmich.edu). The new wireless network is being used to provide better interaction among students and faculty, to facilitate access to online information, and to improve the efficiency of patient care at the university's healthcare facilities. The result is a better educational experience for students and staff members attending this accredited institution.


"We tested several WLAN products. Only the Airespace solution met all of our wireless networking needs -- from ease of deployment to secure operations," said Mark Strandskov, network manager at Central Michigan University. "As this is the same solution that recently 'aced' reviews in eWeek, Network Computing, Network World and other publications, we are confident that the university is delivering best-in-class wireless capabilities to our students and faculty."

The initial Airespace deployment consists of multiple Airespace 4100 WLAN Appliances and over 100 Airespace 1200 Access Points. AireWave Director(TM) Software is embedded on all equipment to provide real-time RF management to support real-world conditions, such as changes in user locations, fluctuations in traffic load, and network interference. Airespace Control System (ACS) Software is used by CMU's small IT department to manage the entire wireless network. From a single console, they can create, enforce, and monitor campus-wide WLAN policies, ensuring easy and cost effective WLAN operations.

CMU chose the Airespace Wireless Enterprise Platform for several key reasons:

-- Integrated wireless protection system -- a single set of Airespace equipment was deployed for both traffic delivery and air monitoring. This enables key security features, such as rogue detection/containment/location, to be provided without purchasing extra APs, appliances, or software. It also ensures that 100% of the CMU wireless network is protected from undesirable activity, without requiring IT staff to physically monitor each building on foot.

-- HIPAA-compliant WLAN security -- CMU required flexible security options to support different user environments, including the highest level of security for their campus clinic. Airespace satisfied this requirement with multiple layers of wireless protection, including support for WPA, 802.1x, IPsec, and other industry protocols.

-- Lower operational expenditures -- CMU has a small IT staff, with little previous RF expertise. Airespace offered the best planning, deployment, and management tools of all available WLAN systems, making it easy and cost effective for CMU to operate.

"Airespace's planning and deployment tools, coupled with its dynamic configuration capabilities, made WLAN systems deployment exceptionally easy," said Matt Hanna of BCS Networks, Airespace reseller and CMU's strategic integrator on this engagement. "By offering best-in-class WLAN capabilities, Airespace is a great addition to our product portfolio."

"Airespace is very attentive to the specific needs of educational institutions," said Steve Visconti, vice president of sales at Airespace. "We are pleased that Central Michigan University chose Airespace as a strategic partner for the delivery of secure, reliable WLAN services that will improve the educational experience on campus."

About Central Michigan University

Founded more than a century ago, Central Michigan University has evolved into a doctoral/research public university that is ranked among the best in the Midwest. CMU provides its growing student population with modern facilities and technology, faculty who are dedicated to student-centered teaching and research, and a selection of more than 170 programs at the bachelor's, master's, specialist's and doctoral levels. For information contact Ms. Pat Housley, CMU News Services, 989-774-3197.

About Airespace, Inc.

Airespace designs and develops intelligent wireless networking platforms that support business-critical applications. The company has set the standard for enterprise Wireless LANs, having earned Network Computing's "Editor's Choice Award," Network World's "World Class Award," Internet Telephony's "Product of the Year," and nomination as one of the "Best Wireless Products of 2003" in InfoWorld's Reader's Choice Awards. With dynamic RF management, air-tight security, seamless mobility, and support for real-time applications such as voice, Airespace helps enterprises implement secure Wireless LAN networks worldwide.

For more information on Airespace and its products, visit www.airespace.com or call 408-635-2000.

About BCS Networks, Inc.

BCS Networks, Inc., of Traverse City, Mich., a Network Integrator, designs and implements both wireless LAN and wireless WAN systems for their clients. Whether our clients' systems requirements are small or large, simple or complex, our certified and experienced engineering team will help them from the design phase through implementation and training.

In addition, BCS Networks has relationships with the industry's leading edge manufacturers and providers such as Avaya, Cisco Systems, SBC, AT&T, Adtran, Citrix, Novell, Microsoft, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Polycom, Tandberg, 3Com, and more. Our solutions include a full range of voice, data, and video products that allow us to design and install efficient and dependable systems.

For additional information please contact Bill Bradley of BCS Networks at 231-932-7001 or send an email to bbradley@bcsnetworks.com.

Contacts


Airespace
Jeff Aaron, 408-635-2052
jaaron@airespace.com
or
Engage PR
Jeannette Bitz, 510-748-8200 ext. 207
jbitz@engagepr.com

Atheros Introduces Single-Chip 802.11g Wireless LAN Solution; New Wireless Chip Delivers High Performance and Low Power Consumption in a Small Form Factor Digital CMOS Design

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2004--Atheros Communications, a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced the world's first complete single-chip IEEE 802.11g WLAN solution, the Atheros AR5005G. The chip integrates an entire 802.11g solution -- Media Access Controller (MAC), baseband processor, and a high-performance 2.4 GHz radio -- in an integrated low-cost digital CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) design.


The new single-chip AR5005G is the most recent example of the Atheros team's world-class RF integration skills using standard CMOS. The AR5005G solution is the company's third-generation 802.11g silicon. It was preceded by a three-chip solution launched in February 2003, and a two-chip solution launched in June 2003.

In addition to combining the MAC, baseband processor, and 2.4 GHz radio on a single chip, Atheros has integrated many discrete components of previous 802.11g solutions into the AR5005G design. The result is a 35 percent part count reduction from products based on two-chip solutions, and a similar reduction in rest-of-BOM (bill-of-materials) costs. This highly integrated design will enable low-cost 802.11g products that do not have the range and throughput limitations often experienced by users of low-cost 802.11b solutions.

Like Atheros' earlier 802.11g solutions, the AR5005G uses an innovative multi-phase approach to signal processing, which extends the battery life of mobile devices by controlling the power of different sections of the wireless device according to the level of system and network activity. This power-saving technique allows the chip to consume up to 98 percent less power than multi-chip WLAN solutions on the market today. It is also noteworthy that the new AR5005G single-chip integration achieves the same range and throughput as the preceding Atheros multi-chip 802.11g solution.

The AR5005G supports in hardware, without performance reduction, the latest WLAN security standards, including 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 AR5005G also supports Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX).

Atheros intends to expand its family of single-chip 802.11 products throughout this year and to support robust throughput based on Atheros' standards-plus Super G(TM) and Super A/G(TM) enhancements. This technology will allow WLAN products with among the highest throughput available today, enabling real throughput rates of over 70 Mbps in a typical home environment. This family of single chip products will also support extended range operation, XR, which enables connections at greater distances from the access point and provides wireless connectivity to areas of the home in which signals are otherwise too weak to connect.

Atheros AR5005G availability

Atheros is currently sampling the AR5005G, with volume production expected in the second quarter. The single-band 802.11g chip provides high performance for the home and small office users, while offering a flexible upgrade path from legacy 802.11b networks.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications develops leading solutions for wireless communications by combining its wireless systems expertise with high performance RF mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills, enabling its customers to deliver high performance 802.11 products for use in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's foremost wireless equipment manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

Atheros, the Atheros logo, Super G and Super A/G are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other 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 features, performance and benefits of Atheros' single-chip solution and the intended expansion of Atheros' family of single chip 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, the impact of competitive products and technological advances, manufacturing difficulties, difficulties in development of enhanced and new products, the company's ability to market the product and ship in volume, and other risks detailed in Atheros' SEC filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contacts


Atheros
Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344
cheryl@atheros.com
or
A&R Partners for Atheros
Greg Wood, 650-762-2838
gwood@arpartners.com

Wireless Developer Network

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. -- D-Link, the leading manufacturer of networking solutions to the SOHO, SMB and Enterprise environments has launched a wireless access point for Bluetooth products. The DBT-900AP will allow laptops, palmtops and mobile phones equipped with Bluetooth to be linked up to the Internet or a local network without the need for connection through a mobile operator.