Atheros Communications rolled out partnership program for systems based on wireless local area network (LAN) standard of IEEE 802.11a. Atheros said systems also used its 5 GHz radio-on- a-chip network technology for wireless LAN technology. Wireless networking standard of 802.11a carries maximum data rate of 54 Mbps. First companies joining partner program include Card Access, Intermec, Proxim, TDK. Proxim said its planned use of 802.11a would allow it provide business solutions with data rates of up to 54 Mbps, which company said was “the fastest speed of any wireless technology.” Intermec Vp Greg Smith said current wireless LAN technology had bolstered mobile computing with Ethernet-based PCs and wireless hand-held devices. “With this technology, a wireless-only facility is possible, flexibility,” he said.
IBM joined RapidIO Trade Assn. as steering committee member. Newly released RapidIO Interconnect Specification is intended to correct bottleneck in telecom and networking equipment -- speed internal components in embedded systems operate. Specification defines switch fabric for connecting chips and boards at transmission rates “hundreds of times faster” than computer- centric PCI bus standard it replaces, and is backward compatible with PCI. IBM joins Alcatel, Cisco Systems, EMC, Ericsson, Lucent, Mercury Computer, Motorola and Nortel on steering committee.
Despite Mon. meeting called by News Corp. Chmn. Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. and GM still are at impasse and “aren’t any closer to striking deal” for Hughes Electronics and DirecTV, industry sources said (CD April 6 p5). Murdoch and News Corp. senior executives met with GM board in effort to close deal that apparently fell apart because of reluctance of Hughes Chmn. Michael Smith, who is attempting to raise money to spin off unit independently, industry reports indicate. GM CEO Rick Wagoner also attended meeting.
Equator Technologies has signed manufacturing agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Corp. (TSMC), replacing Hitachi as its shifts next-generation media processor. TSMC is expected to start production in May of new MAP-CA processor that operates at 325 MHz, up from current 297 MHz, using 0.13-micron fabrication technology vs. 0.25-micron in previous generation. New media processor will continue with 32 MB memory and same chip architecture including hardwired 3D accelerator and floating point engine. Processor will remain priced at $40 in volumes of 200,000, but goal is to hit under $25 as TSMC shifts production to 0.13-micron next Feb., Pres.-CEO Avi Katz said. Plans call for moving to high-definition (HD)-capable processor operating at 450 MHz and drawing 1 v by late 2002, with 1 GHz version at 0.8 v following year. Shift of chip production to TSMC was significant since Hitachi delivered first Equator media processor in 2000, but Katz said Taiwan manufacturer’s ability to employ 0.13-micron process was deciding factor. At same time, Equator signed agreement with Acer and Samsung to deploy 325 MHz media processor in cable and ADSL set-top boxes (STBs), respectively, by late this year. Acer STB, which will have 32 MB memory, will target cable market in Japan where it has strong installed base, but also seek distribution in U.S., said Robin Wong, product mktg. mgr. for strategic accounts. Acer had been STB supplier for U S West, now part of Qwest Communications. For U S West product, Acer had used Broadcom chip, Wong said.
Successful DTV reception depends more on received signal strength than on modulation scheme or receiver quality, according to in-depth report by Advanced TV Systems Committee (ATSC) Task Force on RF Performance. Report suggests that perceived DTV problems may be result of inflated expectations, that broadcasters shouldn’t count on receiver improvements to solve any problems and that signal improvements, such as use of on-channel receivers, could provide big reception improvements.
Motorola anticipates sales increase in 2nd quarter compared with first quarter, although it said it expected 2nd quarter loss would be “a few” cents per share higher than first quarter loss of 9 cents. After market closed Tues., company reported first quarterly loss in nearly 15 years, saying sales dropped to $7.75 billion from $8.75 billion year earlier. Equipment maker said it lost $206 million after $481 million in earnings year ago. COO Robert Growney attributed anticipated larger loss in part to fact that company sold stakes in several cellular carriers in first quarter, so operating profits were generated by return of previously deferred margin to those service providers. “We expect a much smaller amount of deferred margin to be returned as operating profit in the second quarter,” he said. Growney said “a smaller amount of incentive compensation was paid to management in the first quarter of 2001 than had been accrued in 2000, resulting in a reversal of the difference back to income.” Manufacturing segment also is expected to be down in quarter, partly on drop in semiconductor sales. Motorola said that on annual basis it expected gradual upturn in sales and profitability in 2nd half of year, resulting in lower annual sales than last year and “modest but positive annual earnings per share.”
AT&T Wireless became latest carrier last week to seek waiver of FCC’s location accuracy requirements for Enhanced 911 Phase 2, seeking time to deploy handset-based technology through its GSM network and network-based solution for its TDMA customers. AT&T said its request was similar to conditional waiver for hybrid handset- and network-based solutions that agency granted to VoiceStream last fall. Request came at time that Cingular Wireless also appeared to be entertaining similar waiver request at FCC, although spokesman said Fri. that carrier hadn’t yet made decision. Groups representing public safety answering points that field 911 calls have objected to such waivers, raising concerns whether Commission’s upcoming deadline for E911 Phase 2 would be met.
Sirius said Agere Systems shipped samples of 8 chips it developed. Set will enable AM/FM/SAT radios to receive Sirius broadcasts. Several manufacturers will provide radios to automakers and will sets radios in current vehicles to receive signals from 3rd band, it said.
New family of single-chip standard-definition video encoders was announced by IBM. Chips are designed to improve video transmission over existing communications lines, cable headends and for functions such as newsgathering and videoconferencing, IBM said.
XM Satellite Radio said semiconductor maker STM had completed chipset fabrication process and shipped production design chips to XM radio manufacturers. These included Alpine, Delphi-Delco, Pioneer and Sony for final validation, testing and integration into XM radios.