Qualcomm Atheros Announces Industry's Lowest Power Ethernet Passive Optical Network Chip for Broadband over Fiber Networks and Power Grids

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm Atheros Inc., the networking and connectivity subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), today announced the QCA8829, the industry's most integrated, ultra-low power 1 Gigabit (1G) Ethernet passive optical networking (EPON) chip solution, optimized to enable next-generation optical broadband access to homes and businesses.  The QCA8829 is a first-of-its-kind chip that will help to advance the development of fiber to the home (FTTH) by supporting multiple standards, including those supporting cable operators' optical broadband in North America, provisioning for smart grid applications over PON in China, and EPON infrastructures in markets worldwide.

Standards supported by this chip solution include the North American Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS®) Provisioning of Ethernet (DPoE) 1.0 specification, IEEE 802.3ah EPON specification, the China State Grid EPON specification, and the China Telecom (CTC) EPON specification.  The chip solution is specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of telecom carriers, cable operators and utility providers.

"The QCA8829 is an exciting next step for Qualcomm Atheros in providing groundbreaking access technology," said Dr. Zheng Liu, vice president and general manager, access business unit, Qualcomm Atheros.  "Qualcomm Atheros is providing a simplified system design that provides low energy consumption and cost while outperforming comparable devices.  Combining these attributes with support for four major industry standards will help our customers develop PON products quickly and affordably to support access services worldwide."

Qualcomm Atheros' high-performance technologies address the increasing bandwidth requirements of delivering multimedia and IPTV content to homes and enterprises.  With Gigabit-speed EPON solutions, service providers can deploy next-generation FTTH broadband access with optical line terminals (OLTs) for networking from the central office, and full-featured optical network unit (ONU) system-on-chips for implementation in home/premises gateways.

The QCA8829 offers simplicity and a low system cost for new applications.  With power consumption of less than 200mW for grid applications with Gigabit Ethernet (GE) PHY sleep mode enabled and less than 600mW when running full 1 Gbps throughput with GE PHY enabled, customers will be able to create new low power designs and deliver superior performance.  The 76-pin package size fits into a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical module, simplifying system design for plug-and-play connection with an Ethernet switch or IP router.  By reducing device costs and increasing network performance, Qualcomm Atheros is helping to reduce both capital and operational expenditures for customers.

Samples of the QCA8829 and reference design kits are available now.  Volume shipments will be available in the fourth quarter of 2011.

About Qualcomm Atheros

Qualcomm Atheros Inc., the networking and connectivity subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, is a leading provider of wireless and wired technologies for the mobile, networking, computing and consumer electronics markets.  The organization is focused on inventing technologies that connect and empower people in ways that are elegant and accessible to all.  With its broad connectivity portfolio, Qualcomm Atheros provides its global customer base with high-performance, end-to-end solutions featuring Wi-Fi®, GPS, Bluetooth®, Ethernet, HomePlug® powerline and PON technologies.  Qualcomm Atheros leverages its substantial expertise in RF, signal processing, software and networking to deliver highly integrated, low-power, system-level solutions that enable customers to create high-performance, differentiated products.  For more information, go to www.qca.qualcomm.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the features, benefits and performance of Qualcomm Atheros' products and technologies, including the QCA8829, the anticipated ability of the QCA8829 to help advance the development of fiber to the home, and the expected availability of volume shipments of the QCA8829 in the fourth quarter of 2011, 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 Qualcomm Atheros' (formerly Atheros Communications Inc.) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other reports filed with the SEC by Qualcomm Incorporated from time to time.

Qualcomm Atheros is a trademark of Qualcomm Atheros Inc.  HomePlug is a registered trademark of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance.  DOCSIS is a registered trademark of CableLabs.  All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.

Qualcomm Atheros Contact:
Laurie Falconer
Phone:  1-408-616-3036
Email:  [email protected]

Qualcomm Contacts:
Tina Asmar, Corporate Communications
Phone:  1-858-845-5959
Email:  [email protected]

Warren Kneeshaw, Investor Relations
Phone:  1-858-658-4813
Email:  [email protected]

SOURCE Qualcomm Atheros Inc.