News & Events
Harris Brings Wireless Networking to Education

— Colleges and universities worldwide are adopting PRISM-based wireless technology
-Ngee Ann Polytechnic Institute joins University of Florida and University of Central Florida in adopting Harris’ WLAN technology

MELBOURNE,Fla., March 30, 1999— In another move to further the knowledge and adoption of wireless networking among schools and universities worldwide, Harris Semiconductor collaborated with Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic Institute to install a wireless networking system on Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s campus to benefit its Research and Development initiatives. The system incorporates Harris’ PRISM wireless LAN technology.

"Bringing Ngee Ann Polytechnic wireless is a great opportunity for Harris to gain further recognition as a worldwide leader of wireless networking technology," said Ron Van Dell, vice president and general manager of Harris’ Communication Products business. "Wireless networking is playing a key role in schools and universities worldwide by providing students and faculty access to the Internet and computer resources from campus locations where a computer network isn’t directly accessible. We vision wireless networking technology becoming more widely adopted in the near future."

Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s wireless system connects to its existing wired campus network. The wireless system includes Harris’ PRISM-based WLAN PCMCIA cards and access points that delivers a wireless connection to campus sites, such as the Library and other major facilities. The wireless network lets students and faculty enjoy the flexibility and mobility of wireless access to the Internet and campus network from laptops fitted with PRISM-based adapter cards and access points.

"Ngee Ann Polytechnic is the first institute of higher learning in Southeast Asia to adopt state-of-the-art wireless technology," said Mr. Khoo Chin Hean, Principal, Ngee Ann Polytechnic. "We are always looking for innovative ways to better serve our students and faculty, and feel Harris PRISM-enabled wireless system will meet their needs in an environment where computing resources are playing an ever-increasing role."

Ngee Ann Polytechnic is one of several institutions worldwide that has adopted Harris’ PRISM-based wireless LAN technology in the last year. The University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of Florida’s (UF) campuses both became wireless with the adoption of PRISM for the first time this year.

UCF completely equipped its College of Engineering building with a PRISM-based wireless networking system in August of 1998. The system enabled students and faculty to connect to the UCF campus network from any location in the building and move throughout the building while remaining connected to the network through notebook computers and other portable devices. The wireless system improves the accessibility to computer resources in the college, exposes students to state-of-the-art technology and increases their ability to function efficiently in the education environment.

UF also equipped its computer engineering building with Harris’ PRISM technology. Along the same path as the UCF, the wireless network enables faculty and students with specially equipped laptops to access UF’s network and the Internet from anywhere on the building’s first two floors. Both UCF and UF’s systems include PC cards and access points that feature Harris’ PRISM, enabling the wireless connection between the laptops and the networks.

Harris Corporation's Semiconductor sector manufactures discrete semiconductors and integrated circuits. Product development efforts are focused on innovative "next level solutions" for the communications and power markets. The company’s portfolio of high-value products serve many market segments – automotive, industrial, PC computing, wireless networking, tele-communications, signal processing, PC multimedia, consumer electronics, defense and space.

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.