Qualcomm Atheros Delivers Powerline Connectivity Solution for Home Networking

AR7420 Chipset Provides the Smallest, Highest Performing and Lowest Power HomePlug AV-Based Products

PARIS and SAN JOSE, Calif. — Qualcomm Atheros Inc., the networking and connectivity subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), today announced its new AR7420 chipset, which it will be demonstrating at the Broadband World Forum conference, September 27 – 29 in Paris, France. The AR7420 enables devices that provide fast, wired networking connectivity through existing household electrical wiring for consumers and service providers who offer connectivity solutions. Samples of the AR7420 chip will be available during calendar fourth quarter 2011.

The AR7420 is a powerline communications (PLC) transceiver IC that enables the world’s smallest, highest performing and lowest power HomePlug® AV-based and IEEE 1901-compliant products yet deployed. The chipset is the latest in Qualcomm Atheros’ AMP™ Powerline technology portfolio, and it is optimized for embedded solutions and small form-factor standalone adapters. The AR7420 is specifically designed for multi-media applications and delivers up to 500 Mbps of powerline performance in a cost-effective approach to support high throughput connectivity for broad consumer adoption in high volume applications.

“With the launch of the AR7420, Qualcomm Atheros is demonstrating its commitment to address the dramatically expanding connectivity requirements of the digital home,” said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior vice president and general manager, networking business unit, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. “The AR7420 provides a cost-effective powerline solution that is specifically optimized for multi-media streaming and embedded applications so as to drive down the cost of adding powerline communications into a variety of clients and routers. We are excited to expand our ecosystem of powerline products for our customers and end users.”

Ideal both in standalone powerline equipment or in Hy-Fi™ hybrid networking designs using Qualcomm Atheros’ industry-leading Wi-Fi® technology, the AR7420 chipset operates over a wider spectrum (2 MHz to 68 MHz), delivering more than twice the PHY rate speed of current HomePlug AV solutions. This fifth-generation HomePlug AV-based IC also delivers carrier-grade performance with support for multicast IPTV, reliable quality of service and whole home coverage with the industry’s first and lowest power HomePlugAV/IEEE 1901 solution. Combined with the wireless and Ethernet portfolio of products, the AR7420 enables hybrid networking routers, extenders and embedded products.

The AR7420 chip includes an MII/RMII host interface, integrated memory and a 10/100 low power Ethernet PHY. The AR1540 line driver IC is a companion chip that provides signal optimization and multiple country support.