Could someone explain this to me? This was posted at the RBOC where I work and it seems relevant to some of the discussions I have read here but I admit I don't get it. Basically, since it is HomeRF, I am guessing it is competition for 802.11a/b. Is this correct? If so does it seem reasonable. TIA for any help. Sorry no link.
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
Proxim and Virata Form Alliance to Create the First HomeRF-compatible Hardware and Software Reference Design for the Residential DSL Market HomeRF Reference Design Will Speed Time-to-market
Source: PR Newswire
SUNNYVALE, Calif. and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- Proxim, Inc. (Nasdaq: PROX), the leader in wirefree broadband networking, and Virata Corporation (Nasdaq: VRTA), a leading semiconductor and software supplier for broadband
communications, today announced they have entered into an alliance to create HomeRF-based reference designs for the residential DSL market. These reference designs are expected to allow DSL modem and gateway suppliers to rapidly and more easily integrate standards-based HomeRF capabilities into products for the home DSL market.
Through the alliance, Virata is offering a production-ready hardware and software reference design using its industry-leading Helium communications processor and the Proxim 6334 Micro Design-in Module. By employing the HomeRF standard, the reference design is expected to enable secure, high-speed, wirefree networks that are interoperable with a wide range of products and are compatible with future
voice-enabled computing devices.
"By leveraging Proxim's expertise in HomeRF technology, we will deliver the powerful technology components required for high-speed, cost-effective and convenient residential networks," said Duncan Greatwood, vice president of marketing for Virata. "This reference design will enable our customers to develop and market advanced broadband products that support wireless networking throughout the home."
"As the first DSL technology supplier to embrace the HomeRF standard, Virata is clearing the path for DSL providers to offer fast, effective and secure networks to the home user," said Lynn Chroust, director of Commercial Networks Business Unit for Proxim. "Our partnership with Virata is an important element in our overall strategy to be the leading provider of HomeRF-based OEM products, and to encourage continued development of wirefree technology."
About Virata's Helium Communications Processor
Helium is a low-cost, PHY-neutral communications processor that enables high-speed Internet access capability for single- and multiple-user endpoint devices such as USB modems, home gateway devices and small office/home office (SOHO) routers. The Helium chip is fully integrated
with a complete networking and protocol software suite that handles ATM, frame, routing, bridging and signaling functions, as well as SNMP management.
Availability
Virata's RD3900 HomeRF Reference Design -- the first product from this alliance -- is available now to OEMs. More information about Virata and its reference designs can be found at www.virata.com .
About Proxim
Proxim, Inc. (Nasdaq: PROX) has over 15 years of experience designing and building wirefree broadband networking solutions for the home, enterprise and service provider markets. The Symphony(TM) product family offers easy-to-use, inexpensive wirefree networking for homes, small offices and classrooms, while the Farallon(TM) products extend these networking choices with a range of Ethernet, HPNA and wirefree solutions for both Mac and PC users. RangeLAN2(TM) offers wirefree broadband networking for the enterprise, as well as a line of design-in modules for OEMs. Harmony(TM) provides enterprises with a low-cost architecture designed to work with any wirefree technology.
Stratum(TM) products provide building-to-building networking connectivity for enterprises and service providers. Proxim is a Promoter of the Home Radio Frequency Working Group along with Compaq, Intel, Siemens, Motorola, National Semiconductor and other leaders in the wireless
market. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with offices globally. Visit www.proxim.com for more information.
About Virata
Virata provides communications software and semiconductors to manufacturers of DSL, wireless, and other broadband networking equipment. Virata's suite of processor-independent software products provide developers with complete, field-proven implementations of networking
functions, including ATM, MPLS, and web servers, removing the need to write and validate new software code. Virata also pre-integrates its extensive suite of communications software with its powerful and cost-effective communications processors to create "integrated software on silicon" (ISOS) products. These ISOS solutions enable customers to develop a diverse range of broadband wireless and wireline equipment
including DSL modems, gateways, routers, and integrated access devices targeted at the voice and high-speed data network access and customer premises markets. Virata's products enable equipment manufacturers to simplify product development, reduce the time it takes for products to reach the market and focus resources on product differentiation and improvement.
Virata is a principal member of the ATM Forum, Bluetooth SIG organization, the DSL Forum, HomePNA, ITU, MPLS Forum, OpenDSL Alliance and UPnP Forum. A publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Virata was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Please visit www.virata.com for more details about Virata and its products.
Virata is a registered trademark, and Helium is a trademark of Virata Corporation. All other trade, product, or service names referenced in this release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Virata Forward Looking Statement: Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to,those relating to general business and economic conditions, evolving industry standards, the pace of development and market acceptance of our products and the DSL market generally, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties, changes in customer order patterns and risks of customer loss, the impact of competitive products and technologies, competitive pricing pressures, manufacturing availability and risks, dependence on third party suppliers, the uncertainties associated with international operation, the possibility of our products infringing patents and other intellectual property of third parties, risks due to limited protection of our intellectual property, product defects, costs of product development, our ability to attract and retain employees, the company's ability to extract value from acquisitions, manufacturing and government regulation and other risk factors listed from time to time in the reports and other documents Virata files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2000. Virata assumes no obligation to revise or update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
For more information:
For Proxim:
Eric Doyne
Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations
(415) 644-3034
edoyne@alexanderogilvy.com
For Virata:
Desiree Russell
(919) 862-1362
drussell@virata.com
SOURCE Virata Corporation
/CONTACT: Desiree Russell of Virata, 919-862-1362, or drussell@virata.com; or Eric Doyne of Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations, 415-644-3034,
or edoyne@alexanderogilvy.com, for Proxim/ /Web site: virata.com / (PROX VRTA) |
