Agere Systems Announces 150 Mbit/s Throughput for Multimode Wi-Fi Products

Software enhancements to Agere's WaveLAN™ 802.11a/b/g chip set deliver increased data throughput for wireless media applications

March 15, 2004 - ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A, AGR.B) today announced performance acceleration software for its WaveLAN™ 802.11a/b/g multimode chip set, delivering up to 150 megabit-per-second (Mbit/s) data throughput speeds for wireless networking products. This "turbo mode" capability, developed using standards-based quality-of-service (QoS) techniques and other software enhancements, will give retail and PC OEMs the highest performing multimode solution on the market, enabling seamless connectivity and broad compatibility.

With the proliferation of wireless networking standards and applications for PCs and consumer electronics, high-speed Wi-Fi users are most concerned about getting the best throughput at any given range and uninterrupted connections in mixed-mode networks. Agere's WaveLAN multimode chip set provides up to twice the range of competing solutions at peak data rates - as well as higher throughput when combined with software enhancements - to deliver reliable, high-speed connections. Agere's advanced acceleration techniques build on this strong foundation and, by employing mechanisms anticipated in the IEEE 802.11e QoS standard, ensure the maximum interoperability with millions of Wi-Fi products being deployed globally.

"Our WaveLAN multimode chips offer outstanding baseline range and data throughput," said Stan Swearingen, vice president of Agere's computing connectivity division. "By leveraging standards-defined software mechanisms, Agere is raising the bar in peak performance and industry-wide interoperability for high-speed Wi-Fi devices."

Agere's acceleration software enables ever-faster networking. Networks employing Agere's WaveLAN solution can support applications that require greater bandwidth, such as streaming media within the home, transmitting large data files, or routing multiple Wi-Fi devices to an external hard disk drive.

Delivering turbo-charged software enhancements

Agere's software acceleration capabilities have been developed using a number of techniques to improve data transmission speeds, including client-to-client transfer, in which two devices bypass an access point to send data directly to each other, data compression, frame bursting and overhead management, among others. With peak performance representing a multiple of baseline performance, Agere's software builds on exceptional range and data throughput to enable up to 150 Mbit/s wireless connectivity.

Striving for standards-based interoperability

Ramping to production this month, Agere's WaveLAN multimode chip set consists of a single-chip, dual-band 2.4/5.2 GHz RF transceiver, media access controller (MAC), baseband processor and power amplifier. Agere's acceleration software will be implemented as a technology overlay to the WaveLAN chip set in third calendar quarter 2004, aligned with the expected ratification of the 802.11e standard. This timing will ensure that Agere's software enhancements fully comply with the final QoS specification, providing Wi-Fi product developers with the highest performing interoperable solution available.

Agere Systems is a premier provider of advanced integrated circuit solutions for high-density storage, wireless data and multiservice networking applications. The company is the market leader in providing chips for desktop, mobile and consumer electronics hard disk drives. Agere's wireless data portfolio includes industry-leading solutions for data-capable cellular phones, as well as Wi-Fi/802.11 solutions for wireless LANs and computing applications. Agere also provides custom and standard networking solutions to move information across wired, wireless and enterprise networks. Agere's customers include the leading PC manufacturers, wireless terminal providers, network equipment suppliers and hard disk drive providers.

For more information, customers may visit Agere's Web site at www.agere.com or contact one of Agere's regional sales offices. Customers in the U.S. may also call the Agere Systems Customer Response Center at 1-800-372-2447. Customers in Canada may call 1-800-553-2448. Customers outside those countries may call 1-610-712-4323. Fax inquiries may be directed to 1-610-712-4106, or e-mail queries to docmaster@agere.com. Written inquiries should be sent to Agere Systems, Room 10A-301C, 1110 American Parkway NE, Lehigh Valley Central Campus, Allentown, PA, 18109, USA.