Atheros Demonstrates Bluetooth® 3.0, Merging the Simplicity of Bluetooth with the Speed and Energy Efficiency of 802.11

Atheros Bluetooth Solutions Optimized with 802.11a/g/n Functionality Achieve Certification for Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 22, 2009 — Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications, applauds the Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s (SIG) development of the recently adopted Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0 + High Speed (HS). Atheros, which ships a significant share of wireless LAN (WLAN) solutions worldwide, is a key contributor to this new Bluetooth technology.  The ground-breaking performance enhancements enabled by Bluetooth 3.0 for wireless personal area networks (PANs) are achieved through the implementation of the 802.11 high-speed Alternate MAC/PHY (AMP). Atheros’ Bluetooth 3.0 + HS capability was the featured technology at the Bluetooth SIG’s 3.0 launch event yesterday in Tokyo, demonstrated by Kevin Hayes, Atheros Fellow and Technical Editor of the 802.11 Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL) of the Bluetooth 3.0 + HS specification.

Over the past several months, the Bluetooth SIG and leaders of the wireless industry have collaborated on merging select attributes of the world’s two most widely-deployed wireless connectivity technologies, combining the simplicity of Bluetooth’s pairing and operation – via dozens of well-specified and tested profiles – with the speed and energy efficiency of 802.11. The result is a dramatic increase of more than 10 times the user throughput over ‘classic’ Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR for connecting PCs, handsets and consumer electronics (CE) devices in PANs.

“This latest version of Bluetooth technology builds on the success of the most popular short-range wireless capability by providing much higher speeds to support advanced multimedia applications and robust point-to-point connectivity in a large and growing ecosystem of consumer devices,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “With its expert wireless know-how, Atheros has been a leading contributor to the Bluetooth 3.0 specification throughout the entire development process.”

Atheros’ Bluetooth 3.0 Technology, Among the First BQB Certified

Instrumental in the development of the Bluetooth 3.0 + HS specification, Atheros has leveraged its expertise in wireless design and its knowledge of real-market customer and consumer requirements. With its extensive footprint in the computing, mobile and digital home markets, Atheros will ensure optimal Bluetooth 3.0 performance across PCs, handsets and CE devices. Concurrent with yesterday’s industry launch of the Bluetooth 3.0 technology, Atheros received Bluetooth Qualification Board (BQB) certification for its AR3011 Bluetooth chip for PC implementations, host stack, and 802.11 a/g/n solutions to support the High-Speed 802.11AMP. Atheros’ leadership in the specification development will help enable its customers to participate in the first wave of Bluetooth 3.0-based products expected in early 2010.  

 “This extraordinary industry achievement enables the ease of seamless connectivity at speeds that can now readily support the transfer of large files, such as video and audio content, between PCs, handsets and consumer electronics devices – at one-tenth the time required by current Bluetooth solutions,” said Fiona Thomson, research director of IMS Research.

The new specification enables a wide array of applications for Bluetooth by leveraging advantages of 802.11 – greater bandwidth and energy efficiency. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS supports wireless docking for PCs, and video and multimedia content sharing and synching between devices including handsets, PCs, and gaming and other handheld products. Additionally, it enhances existing Bluetooth applications by providing the same, familiar user experience, only much faster.

 “This is a great accomplishment for the Bluetooth SIG and the entire wireless industry,” said Craig Barratt, chief executive officer and president of Atheros. “Customers will benefit from the expertise and the technical know-how that Atheros has contributed to the new Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed specification, allowing a wide array of expanded applications to come to life. We are proud that our Bluetooth and WLAN technologies are now 3.0-certified, enabling Atheros’ customers with an unparalleled, next-generation PAN capability.”

About Atheros Communications, Inc.
Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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Atheros and the Atheros logo are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc.  All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the features, benefits and performance of Atheros’ products and the Bluetooth 3.0 specification, 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 Atheros' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other reports filed with the SEC by Atheros from time to time. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements

For press inquires contact:: Dakota Lee,  408-720-5597, dakota@atheros.com, or Greg Wood, A&R Edelman for Atheros , 650-762-2838, gwood@ar-edelman.com

For analyst inquires contact: David Allen, 408-830-5762, david.allen@atheros.com.