News & Events
Siemens Selects Intersil’s PRISM® WLAN Chip Set For Wireless Networking Platforms

— Siemens Switzerland AG to aggressively extend their wireless portfolio
— Will co-develop future wireless platforms with Intersil

PALM BAY, FL, September 17, 1999 – Siemens Switzerland AG and Intersil Corporation today announced their intention to cooperate on the development of future platforms for wireless networks. As part of the agreement, Siemens has selected Intersil’s PRISM WLAN chip set for their expanding portfolio of wireless networking solutions.

Siemens Switzerland AG began showing initial I-Gate wireless products at the CeBIT show held in Hannover last March. "The response to our PRISM-based products at the show prove the strength of our product concept," said Alexander Bringolf, Director of Information and Communication products. "We’ve had many fruitful discussions with potential customers who support our wireless efforts and have offered insights on feature set, performance and price points for future projects we will co-develop with Intersil."

"Intersil is justifiably proud that Siemens chose us for this development partnership," said Greg Williams, president and CEO of Intersil Corporation. "The selection of our PRISM chip set by Siemens is another big endorsement of our technology. Their focus on 802.11 operation adds muscle to the further expansion of this standard for wireless networking around the globe. We intend to lead in the wireless networking market, and relationships with companies such as Siemens are vital to maintaining that leadership."

Siemens Switzerland AG is currently offering two products under the I-Gate name: the BasisPort and MobilePort. The BasisPort is an Access Point (AP) that wirelessly connects up to 10 PCs or laptops in a LAN. Each PC is equipped with the MobilePort client card and can then share network services or networked software, transfer files, read and write to central data storage and port to shared peripherals such as printers or scanners. In addition, mobile users can access the Internet through the BasisPort’s ISDN modem connection via a POTS phone line. BasisPort features a routing function that coordinates multi-client Internet access.

Siemens and Intersil are strong supporters of the IEEE 802.11 standard and will focus development efforts on bringing cost-efficient, "last meter" wireless solutions that combine mobility with connections to the Internet and to wired PC networks. Likewise, both companies believe that these wireless connections must evolve to high-speed links that allow high-quality data, video and voice transmissions.

Siemens Switzerland AG selected Intersil’s PRISM chip set because the PRISM development roadmap closely matched the wireless product roadmap Siemens is following. "Both companies support development around the 802.11 standard, both recognize that wireless networks will proliferate because of installation ease and affordability as compared to wired networks and both recognized the need to move to higher data rates to support data, video and voice," Williams said. "We’ve been very impressed with the speed of system integration at Siemens and we consider them a lead customer for our new PRISM II products and future versions of PRISM."

Adoption of PRISM Technology
Since introducing the PRISM WLAN chip set in 1996, over forty companies 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 plans to introduce better performing, more highly integrated chipset solutions roughly every nine months. PRISM chips are used in WLAN systems from industry leading companies including Compaq, Nokia, Siemens, 3Com, Nortel, Samsung, Zoom Telephonics, Aironet and SpectraLink.

About PRISM II
Intersil’s PRISM II chip set is the world’s most complete silicon solution for the design of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Comprised of five highly integrated ICs incorporating advanced silicon germanium (SiGe) and sub-micron CMOS technology, PRISM II delivers all the required analog and digital circuitry for the PHY and MAC layers, providing a complete, "Antenna-to-Computer™" solution for high-data rate WLANs. PRISM II has been chosen by the world’s leading telecom, networking and computer companies as a key part of high performance wireless products for home or office.

About Intersil Corporation
Intersil Corporation uses analog, mixed-signal, power and radiation-hardening technologies to develop advanced integrated circuits and discrete semiconductors for high-growth segments of the communications, power and space/defense markets. Intersil Corporation employs 5,800 worldwide and utilizes the rich intellectual property heritage from Harris, GE Solid State and RCA. The company’s Web site is located at http://www.intersil.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Specific risks include worldwide demand and product pricing for integrated circuits, and reductions in the U.S. and worldwide defense and space budgets. In addition, Intersil cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends and events to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Corporation.