Staccato Introduces Industry's First Single-Chip All-CMOS UWB Solutions




San Diego, CA -/January 10, 2006 - Wi-Fi Technology News/-Staccato Communications, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless technology pioneer and Certified Wireless USB leader announced the introduction of its Ripcord(TM) family of products. Ripcord is the industry's first true single-chip, all-CMOS solution based on Certified Wireless USB.

Based on the WiMedia Alliance's UWB common radio platform and the Certified Wireless USB specification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), Ripcord is implemented in a complete System-In-Package (SiP) using leading 110nm digital CMOS process technology.

The Ripcord family of products is optimized for cost, size and performance and includes specific devices targeted for Host Wire Adapter (HWA), Device Wire Adapter (DWA), Native SDIO, a PHY-only solution and three production-ready reference designs. Ripcord provides a complete, fully integrated solution for the first commercial applications of high-speed UWB at 480 Mbps based on Certified Wireless USB at less than $10 per node in volume. Ripcord's high level of integration minimizes design risk, lowers system cost and accelerates customers' time-to-market by consolidating all hardware and software components necessary to implement a solution based on Certified Wireless USB into a single 12x14.5mm packaged in a 120 LGA Pb-free SiP. In most product designs, customers need only an external antenna for a complete node based on Certified Wireless USB.

"Staccato's choice of a single-chip, all CMOS-based design is important because, as history has shown, lowering cost and increasing levels of integration can significantly accelerate the adoption curve of new technologies," said Brian O'Rourke, Senior Analyst with In-Stat. "We expect the Certified Wireless USB market to begin in late 2006 with significant growth in 2007 and 2008. Overall, we anticipate the shipment of Wireless USB-enabled products will grow 193% annually from 2006 through 2009. We expect Staccato to be well-positioned in the market for Certified Wireless USB products."

"This milestone will help the industry see new products based on Certified Wireless USB in the price range needed for broad consumer adoption to occur. We're happy to see our members simplifying and accelerating the design-in process for manufacturers," said Jeff Ravencraft, chairman and president of the USB Implementers Forum and Intel technology strategist.

"Ripcord delivers on the promise of Certified Wireless USB, enabling ultra-fast file transfers, streaming video and communications among computers, peripherals and handheld wireless devices and eliminating the mass of tangled cables behind every computer and home entertainment cluster," said Rick Kornfeld, president and CEO of Staccato Communications. "The power of UWB technology is its high speed, high performance, ease of use and security characteristics - essential elements for truly successful wireless cable replacement. The Ripcord family of products combines the best of UWB technology with the elegance, efficiency and low power of a single-chip, all-CMOS design at a price point that ensures mass-market adoption. Ripcord enables new connections between devices not previously possible with the assurance of compatibility that comes from designing products with industry-proven specifications. We believe Ripcord provides consumer product manufacturers the winning edge in the race to proliferate Certified Wireless USB across the globe."


Products and Availability
The Ripcord family of products includes a Host Wire Adapter and Device Wire Adapter, which enable high-speed wireless communications between USB peripheral devices and a PC host; Native SDIO, which is a low power, low cost interface ideal for digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs and other embedded or Flash-based applications; and PHY (physical layer)-only solutions that connect to an external WiMedia-based MAC. In addition, Staccato offers a Ripcord Development Kit (DVK), three ready-for-production system designs (external plug-in USB adapter, internal MiniCard adapter and embedded device module) and support tools. Limited samples are available now with production shipments expected in mid-2006. Staccato reference designs will be available in the first quarter of 2006. For more product information, please call +1(858) 812-1000 or send email to sales@staccatocommunications.com.


About Staccato Communications, Inc.
Based in San Diego, Calif., Staccato Communications is an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology pioneer with applications expertise in Certified Wireless USB, Bluetooth and Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity. The fabless semiconductor company serves the personal computing, consumer electronics and mobile phone industries with small form factor, single-chip, all-CMOS wireless solutions. Staccato's WiMedia-based offerings include PHY, MAC, drivers, application software, development kits and reference designs. For more information, please visit http://www.staccatocommunications.com.