News & Events
Harris Semiconductor Tees Up With Compaq to Provide U.S. Open Tournament’s First Wireless Network
New Wireless Technology Allows Access to the Internet from Anyplace at Anytime
PINEHURST, NC, June 16, 1999 – For the first time in history, the U.S. Open golf tournament will feature a wireless network to allow players, judges, and other VIPs access to cyberspace from several key locations around North Carolina’s famous Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, site of the 1999 U.S. Open.
PINEHURST, NC, June 16, 1999 For the first time in history, the U.S. Open golf tournament will feature a wireless network to allow players, judges, and other VIPs access to cyberspace from several key locations around North Carolinas famous Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, site of the 1999 U.S. Open.
Spectators, players and others attending the 1999 U.S. Open, which begins tomorrow, will have the opportunity to interact with the wireless network technology, designed by Compaq Computer Corporation.
Compaqs 802.11-compliant wireless network technology incorporates Harris Semiconductors PRISM* Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) chip set allowing users to have faster access to the Internet, email or other online applications. Tourney officials and guests, using Compaq DeskPro PCs and flat panel monitors, will have the ability to check players scores, post e-mail messages and surf golf or other websites.
"Standards-based wireless networking adds momentum to the drive toward interactive, interoperable and retail-priced wireless products for business and consumer use," said Ron Van Dell, vice president and general manager of Harris Semiconductors Communications Products Business. "Compaqs commitment to wireless technology is extremely significant and were very pleased that they selected Harris PRISM chips to go into their products."
Four tents positioned on critical fairways of Pinehursts "Old Number 2" will each have its own WLAN; these remotely-sited tents will be linked by wireless bridges giving U.S. Open wireless network users access to the World Wide Web. In addition to Compaqs wireless technology solution, Harris PRISM radio chip sets are used in wireless equipment from Nokia, Nortel, Aironet, Symbol, Sony, Samsung and others.
"Compaq is very pleased to be involved in the 1999 U.S. Open Tournament and to be the catalyst in this wireless technology demonstration. We expect hundreds of people at the U.S. Open to experience wireless connectivity for the first time, first hand," said Chuck Hudson, Director, Commercial Connectivity Business Unit. "Compaq is a pioneer in driving the latest technology to customers around the globe, and we will continue to provide users with the most innovative and easiest ways to access information.
About Harris Semiconductor
Harris Semiconductor manufactures discrete devices and integrated circuits with R&D efforts focused on innovative new products for high-growth segments of the communications, power and space/defense markets. Harris Semiconductors PRISM WLAN chip set is recognized as the industry-leading solution, and as been incorporated into over 100 wireless products from 40 different companies. Harris Semiconductor is being divested by Harris Corporation, as announced June 3, 1999. When the divestiture is complete, Harris Semiconductor will operate as a subsidiary of Sterling Holding LLC, a Citicorp Venture Capital investment portfolio company.
PRISM is a registered trademark of Harris Semiconductor
