News & Events
Harris Corporation Acquires CHOICE Microsystems

— CHOICE products expand Harris Semiconductor’s PRISM offering into the network interface arena

Melbourne, FL., February 22, 1999 – Harris Corporation announced today that it has acquired Texas-based CHOICE Microsystems, Inc, a leading developer of network interface technology and products. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The acquisition expands Harris’ industry-leading PRISM portfolio to the next level – the interface level – of a wirelessly networked system. Further, it creates synergistic opportunities and opens the door for even greater integration, higher performance and lowered costs for future wireless local area network (WLAN) products.

"We’re the leader in integrating the complex radio function for WLAN systems and developing total system solutions that get our customers to market quickly," said Ron Van Dell, vice president and general manager of Harris Semiconductor’s Communication Products Business. "Now, we’re taking on the interface function of a WLAN system because we need that function to migrate to higher speeds at our quick pace, plus we see great opportunities for improving performance while reducing cost by tying these two functions more closely together."

Harris’ work thus far has focused on the radio – or physical layer (PHY) – function necessary for data communications. The PRISM "Antenna-to-bits" solution handled the analog signal arriving at the antenna, through several levels of processing until the communicated signal is digital and ready for interface formatting. That level is called the medium access control (MAC) layer, which handles the interface between the radio (PHY layer) and the computer. This interfacing task, especially when done to comply with the IEEE 802.11 worldwide standard and support the high data rates now possible with PRISM, is one of the most complex in the networking world. The CHOICE architecture is designed for superior performance when handling complex, framed serial protocols, such as that called for in the 802.11 standard. By acquiring CHOICE Microsystems and its advanced MAC technology, the Harris/CHOICE team can now work to deliver the best solution possible from "Antenna-to-Computer."

"CHOICE is well recognized in the industry for its outstanding MAC technology," said Van Dell. "Their current MAC, the CW10, has been shown to work well with our PRISM chip set and delivers 11 megabits-per-second performance. We believe their MAC architecture is easily scalable to much higher data rates – greater than 30Mbps – which matches our development plan for faster WLAN products. This match allows Harris to field the most advanced, most complete WLAN solution on the market."

CHOICE, a privately held company located in San Antonio, Texas, will retain its name and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris Corporation. Harris will integrate CHOICE’s products into its PRISM WLAN solutions and will be the exclusive marketing and sales agent for their products.

"We are delighted because Harris PRISM chips are widely recognized as the industry’s most complete, most integrated PHY layer," said Michael Fischer, Chief Technology Officer of CHOICE Microsystems. "Their PHY layer coupled with our MAC layer will be a highly competitive solution. In addition, CHOICE MACs will now get worldwide exposure and we’ll be able to move into high volume production to serve the rapidly growing WLAN market. This is truly a marriage made in WLAN heaven."

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, signal processing, telecommunications, PC multimedia, consumer electronics, defense and space. The worldwide website is http://www.semi.harris.com.

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.