News & Events
Cyrix’s Groundbreaking WebPAD™ Adopts Harris’ PRISM™ Radio Technology

— Demonstrated this week at COMDEX in Las Vegas at Cyrix booth
— Utilizes Harris’ 2.4GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology

LAS VEGAS, NV, COMDEX, NOV. 18, 1998 – Cyrix Corporation, a subsidiary of National Semiconductor, has incorporated Harris Semiconductor’s PRISM radio reference design in an exciting new device that delivers an Internet connection without wires. Cyrix’ WebPAD – portable, affordable and easy-to-use – allows users to surf the Web or read and send e-mail from anywhere around the home or office using the latest wireless technology from Harris.

"The WebPAD is the first product optimized for portable web access around the home," said Ron Van Dell, vice president and general manager of Harris Semiconductor’s Communications Products Business. "WebPAD’s portability and ease-of-use promises a new generation of information flow to the average consumer. This product, and others that follow, will likely revolutionize the way people gather, store and access all kinds of information. Cyrix has done a remarkable job in developing this truly innovative product design and we’re extremely proud to deliver the wireless link."

The WebPAD, coupled with "always on" technology such as cable modems or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), delivers the first choice source of information in the home or office – giving quick access to phone numbers, real-time stock quotes, email, or even TV schedule information. The WebPAD can either be a supplemental Internet node in a high-tech home or the only Internet connection for those homes that only need the simplicity of Internet access and not the complete versatility of a PC. For non-computer households, WebPAD becomes a simple, easy answer for gaining web access without investing the time and money involved in purchasing and learning how to use a PC.

Cyrix expects to have an optimized reference design available for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in the first quarter of 1999. The WebPAD works much like a cordless home telephone, with a range of up to 500 feet from the base station transceiver. The prototype WebPAD incorporates 2.4GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology operating at a two megabits-per-second (Mbps) data rate, delivering fast transmission of video, voice and data.

The reference design includes specifications for the MediaGX™ processor-powered WebPAD, a charging cradle and a base station transceiver. The base station transceiver connects to the telephone or network system and communicates by radio frequency with the mobile WebPAD. The base station can be conveniently located near telephone and network connections, allowing users to carry the WebPAD anywhere in and around the home or office and surf the Internet, read and send e-mail, or chat online, free from the constraints of power cords and telephone wires.

The reference design will be available to original equipment manufacturers under a no-fee license program. Pricing will be determined by OEMs.

OEMs can customize their WebPAD-based products to optimize them for specific markets and price points. For example, modem functions housed in the base station could be tailored for specific bandwidth requirements. Or a PC platform could be used as the base station with the WebPAD providing untethered Internet access. The design will support several diskless operating systems, such as QNX®, Windows® CE and embedded Windows NT.

Cyrix, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Semiconductor, is a leading supplier of innovative microprocessor-based solutions that set new standards for the personal computer market. Cyrix delivers compelling value and quality to its customers, the manufacturers of personal computer products, by combining industry-leading design with world-class manufacturing.

Harris Corporation's Semiconductor sector manufactures discrete semiconductors and integrated circuits and focuses research and development efforts on innovative new products for the communications and power markets. Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), with worldwide sales of $3.9 billion, is an international communications and electronics company focused on providing product, system and service solutions that take its customers to the next level. The company provides a wide range of products and services such as wireless and personal communications, digital television (HDTV), health care information, automotive electronics, transportation, business information, defense communications and information and Lanier office products.

PRISM is a trademark of Harris Corporation
WebPAD is a trademark of Cyrix Corporation