Sierra Wireless sets a new standard for automotive-grade wireless modules

Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ AR Series intelligent modules, designed to achieve the highest level of compliance with automotive specifications, provide robust in-vehicle wireless connections to enable telematics, navigation, and infotainment applications

VANCOUVER, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ - Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR; TSX: SW) today introduced the industry's first and only suite of embedded wireless modules designed specifically for automotive manufacturers. The new Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ AR Series intelligent embedded modules are the first wireless modules designed and developed from the ground up to achieve the highest level of compliance with automotive specifications, providing an unmatched level of quality, reliability and performance under harsh operating conditions. Commercial shipments of the modules are scheduled to begin in mid-2011. Sierra Wireless already has multiple design wins for the AirPrime AR Series with leading automotive manufacturers.

While car manufacturers and OEMs have used wireless modules for many years, the solutions have been based on standard commercial-grade modules adapted for automotive applications. Automotive systems present a uniquely challenging environment for wireless technologies, requiring solutions that can withstand extreme temperatures, thermal shocks, constant vibration, and humidity over many years. The Sierra Wireless AirPrime AR Series provides an unsurpassed automotive-grade solution that encompasses:

• Tolerance for up to 1,000 thermal shock cycles
• Full certification with ISO 9001:2000 quality standards and ISO/TS 16949:2002 manufacturing processes
• Extended operating temperature range from -40 to 85 degrees Celsius
• Compliance with multiple automotive manufacturing and quality processes including AQPQ, PPAP, PCN, and 8D
• Solder-down form factor and optional Embedded SIM to create a more reliable and less expensive solution

Telematics, infotainment, navigation assistance and remote vehicle diagnostics are expected to become standard features in new cars within the next few years, requiring reliable built-in connections to cellular networks. To date, Sierra Wireless has delivered more than two million wireless modules to auto manufacturers and first-tier suppliers, including the largest automotive companies in the world.

Sierra Wireless provides the industry's only automotive module portfolio that offers truly global coverage. With models supporting the full range of 2G and 3G network technologies and frequency bands used worldwide, customers can design solutions once and address virtually any regional market. The AirPrime AR Series is also the only automotive-grade solution that offers an open platform for customer application development, including dedicated APIs for telematics applications.

"The AirPrime AR Series draws on Sierra Wireless' more than 10 years experience working with automotive customers and represents the culmination of years of development and investment from Sierra Wireless' dedicated automotive organization," said Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M  Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless. "This new product line offers our customers the superior quality they need to deliver reliable wireless solutions that last for the expected life of their products, and we are extremely proud to introduce it today."

Sierra Wireless solutions for automotive

With over a decade of experience, award-winning expertise, and more than two million wireless modules shipped to automotive manufacturers, Sierra Wireless is the market leader in wireless technologies for the automotive industry. Sierra Wireless offers:

• all the components required for a wireless connectivity solution, from wireless embedded modules and software suites to development tools and services platforms
• products designed to match the automotive industry's toughest quality requirements, manufactured in an ISO/TS 16949 compliant facility, and supported by automotive specialists
• proven technologies that allow rapid design and easy integration, and a services platform that enables fast deployment and cost-effective maintenance and support
• professional services for engineering, design, and systems integration that conform to the automotive industry's toughest constraints.

For more information about Sierra Wireless Solutions for automotive, please visit us at Telematics Munich 2010, held November 3 to 4 at the Hilton Munich Park, Munich, Germany, or find out more at http://www.sierrawireless.com/automotive. To contact the Sierra Wireless Sales Desk, call +1 (604) 232-1488 or email [email protected].

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About Sierra Wireless

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW) offers industry-leading mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks. Wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, enterprises and government organizations around the world depend on us for reliable wireless technology. We offer 2G, 3G and 4G wireless modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of software, tools, and services that ensure our customers can successfully bring wireless applications to market.  For more information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com. 

"AirPrime" is a trademark of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, plans and timing for the introduction or enhancement of our services and products, statements about future market conditions, supply conditions, channel and end customer demand conditions, revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, profits, and other expectations, intentions, and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. Our expectations regarding future revenues and earnings depend in part upon our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, and supply products that we do not produce today and that meet defined specifications. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "expect", "believe", and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and changes in the wireless data communications market. In light of the many risks and uncertainties surrounding the wireless data communications market, you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized.

SOURCE Sierra Wireless, Inc.