News & Events
Intersil Unveils New PRISM® Access Point-on-a-Chip<br>Reference Design with Open Source Linux Operating System

— Open source Linux platform allows OEMs to provide customized feature sets

IRVINE, CA, September 25, 2001 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), the world’s leading developer of silicon technology for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), announced it has developed the industry’s first complete access point-on-a-chip reference design for wireless networking that combines an ARM9®-based Medium Access Controller (MAC) with an Open Source Linux operating system.

With full access to the Linux operating system, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will be able to add currently available applications or custom features within the Linux space to differentiate their product and add specific value. This is the first time that the access point has been opened up and represents a significant shift in the ability of OEMs to add their own unique value and respond quickly to their customer’s needs. The unique design of the PRISM® ISL36356A represents the most highly integrated access point (AP) reference design available for wireless applications in the home, small office, enterprise and public areas such as hotels and airports.

Intersil has created an AP Developer’s Kit that contains all the necessary components that allows original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to rapidly bring a customized product to market. The kit includes:
Reference design (pre-tested to help ensure Wi-Fi and regulatory approvals)
Open Source operating system that interfaces to the MAC core.
Customization instructions for adding additional features
Configuration software (allows easy access and setup of the AP from client PC)
Easy and fail-safe firmware upgrade mechanism
End-user documentation
Manufacturing test tools

"Our new PRISM reference design is a complete solution that enables our customers to build and market affordable, compact and easy-to-install wireless gateways for the home and office," said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager for Intersil’s Wireless Networking Business. "This will make it significantly easier for OEMs to add unique and innovative features to satisfy the growing demand for wireless-capable gateway products that offer the freedom to access full broadband services – anywhere in the home or office."

The ARM9 processor easily handles the Wi-Fi and Ethernet traffic, with processing power reserved for customer applications as well as future standards; such as Quality of Service (IEEE 802.11e) and enhanced security extensions (IEEE 802.11i).

The open source Linux platform provides basic building blocks that extend AP functionality and enables OEMs to quickly develop customized feature sets by providing royalty-free access to a wide variety of user applications. Manufacturers can easily develop a layered security system, Internet sharing, NAT, DHCP, user tracking, publan utilities, remote access and control, and literally hundreds of other features available through open source repositories or custom developments.

PRISM is a highly integrated, low-cost solution for designing Wi-Fi-compliant, embedded wireless networking capability into small, portable computing devices such as laptop PCs, Personal Digital Assistants, home gateways and next generation Web Pad Internet appliance devices. Optimized for high data rate (11 Mbps) performance, PRISM-based systems are feature-rich and provide fast, reliable performance in all types of networking environments. Advanced design and process technologies reduce power consumption, design complexity and total system cost. PRISM-based products provide users with wireless access to networks and the Internet for fast and efficient transmission of data, video and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

For additional information about the ISL36356A Access Point Developer’s Kit and Licensing Agreement visit Intersil’s Internet homepage at intersil.com/design/prism.

The Global Wireless Market Embraces PRISM WLAN Technology
"Intersil is the number one manufacturer of wireless LAN chipsets and has been a driving force behind the success of WLANs," said a May 2001 WLAN report from Cahners In-Stat Group. Since introducing the PRISM WLAN chip set in 1996, over 50 of the industry-leading companies including Actiontec, Alcatel, Cisco, Compaq, 3Com, Dell, D-Link, GemTek, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Legend, Linksys, Nokia, Nortel, Panasonic, Quanta, Samsung, Sharp, Siemens, SOHOware, Sony, SpectraLink, Symbol and Zoom have incorporated PRISM chips in more than 100 product designs. PRISM technology is designed to comply with the IEEE’s 802.11 global standard, and Intersil is a founding sponsor of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA), whose Wi-Fi brand is a mark of compatibility for 802.11-based systems.

About Intersil
Intersil is a leading communications company and supplier of semiconductors, reference designs and software for wireless networking and analog markets. Intersil applies analog, mixed-signal and radio frequency (RF) expertise to products that enable wireless and voice access to broadband media; provide reliable power management in all PCs, file servers and portable information appliances; and perform analog and digital signal conversion for cellular and Internet infrastructure. For more information about Intersil, visit the company's Internet homepage at www.intersil.com.

This press release contains information relating to certain projections and business trends concerning the WLAN market that are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, and projections about our business and industry. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will" and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Furthermore, any forward-looking statements and projections made by others in this press release are not adopted by Intersil Corporation ("Intersil") and Intersil is not responsible for the forward-looking statements and projections of others. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors. Important risk factors that may cause such material differences for Intersil in connection with WLAN market include, but are not limited to: the recent economic slowdown in the technology sector and the semiconductor industry; the rate at which consumers adopt small handheld Internet appliances and portable computing devices in enterprises and in homes; the rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Intersil’s wireless technologies and products, including our embedded LAN applications; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders; the loss of a key customer; the qualification, availability and pricing of competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and pricing of our products; silicon wafer pricing and the availability and quality of foundry and assembly capacity and raw materials; adoption of electronic standards by IEEE in the WLAN market; the effectiveness of Intersil’s expense and product cost control and reduction efforts; intellectual property disputes, customer indemnification claims, and other litigation risks; Intersil’s ability to develop, market, and transition to volume production new products and technologies in a timely manner; as well as other risk factors. Intersil’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other Intersil filings with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") (which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s Web site www.sec.gov) discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and Intersil undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.
ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited.
All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.