ACTON, Mass. -- Azimuth Systems, Inc., innovators in scalable, automated wireless network test systems, today announced a strategic agreement with Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets. Atheros will adopt Azimuth's award-winning W-Series Wireless LAN Test Platform for use in its internal test processes. Additionally, Atheros has agreed to provide Azimuth with early access to its next-generation 802.11n technologies, allowing Azimuth to drive early 802.11n test solutions to the market. This bi-lateral agreement provides the industry with a standardized test environment for future technologies, and further solidifies Azimuth's leadership in the Wi-Fi test equipment market.
"It is critical for us, particularly as we develop our next generation of Wi-Fi technology, to have a consistent platform on which to test, validate and certify our solutions to customers," said Rick Bahr, Atheros' vice president of engineering. "The automation tools, repeatability and accuracy of the Azimuth W-Series make it a viable long-term platform upon which Atheros can build its engineering, QA and benchmark testing - now and in the future."
802.11n technology will advance the Wi-Fi industry into new realms by offering data rates of up to 600Mbps. Atheros is an active participant in the 802.11 task group defining 802.11n and is proposing technology solutions to the task group to drive this standard.
"Atheros is a recognized leader in WLAN chipsets, and we've used their silicon as a key component in our test equipment to-date. We are very pleased to be extending our partnership with them to include next-generation technologies," said Ray Cronin, CEO of Azimuth. "Azimuth continues to innovate and drive productive change in WLAN test and we are encouraged by the quality and time to market benefits our customers have gained. This announcement is further validation of our value proposition. Without question, 802.11n is the next frontier for us to lead the industry. Atheros technology will form the basis of our future 802.11n testMAC test tool, which the whole wireless industry will be able to use as a benchmark for validation of its solutions. We are confident the cooperation will be fruitful for the entire industry."
Atheros Communications Inc.
Azimuth Systems Inc.