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Press Release - June 1, 2004 Quorum Systems Launches World's First Fully Integrated Multi-Mode GSM+WiFi Radio Frequency Transceiver SAN DIEGO, Calif.- June 1, 2004 - Backed by leading venture capitalists Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers and Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, new start-up Quorum Systems, Inc. entered the fabless semiconductor market today by announcing the availability of the world's first single-chip integrated circuit (IC) for multi-mode wireless communication. The Quorum Connection (QC) 2530 is a highly integrated radio frequency (RF) transceiver that is able to support both wireless local area network (WLAN) and Quad Band GSM cellular applications simultaneously. The company validated the QC 2530 recently by successfully completing the first call-to-network using the technology. Handsets built around the QC2530 enable carriers to provide a seamless user experience across WiFi and cellular service, providing several benefits for carriers, such as the ability to offload capacity in peak periods and in congested areas like airports and convention centers; extend the reach of cellular networks to homes and within office building using Voice-over-WLAN; offer and supply data services via WiFi "hot-spots;" and deliver wireless Voice-Over-IP connectivity and seamless voice roaming across WiFi and cellular networks. All of these benefits result in differentiated service opportunities and increased revenue for carriers as well as vastly superior functionality for end-users and enterprises. "Today's announcement heralds a new level of radio IC integration, enabling the convergence of the cellular and WiFi markets," stated Bernard Xavier, co-founder, president and CEO of Quorum Systems, Inc. "This degree of integration allows us to deliver an extraordinary level of functionality to our handset and carrier partners at a lower cost point than has previously been available." The QC2530 converges 802.11b/g WLAN and cellular GSM/GPRS/EDGE technologies in a single die that offers smaller footprint, lower manufacturing costs and unprecedented flexibility compared to today's multiple chip approach. This is achieved using Quorum's Multi-Access Technology (QMAT) underlying proprietary intellectual property (IP), which allows the radio resource to be shared, enabling multi-mode functionality while reusing passive and silicon real estate. Also as a result of the QMAT technology, interference, which previously led to expensive handsets and the delayed adoption of multi-mode radio band technology in handhelds, has been eliminated in the QC2530 multi-mode single-chip transceiver. "We are very excited by Quorum's success at delivering unparalleled integration of the WiFi and cellular functionality in a low cost, single-die radio IC," said Russell Siegelman, partner at Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers. "This unique capability and the large market potential that it unlocks will revolutionize cellular handsets and their use." "There is no doubt in my mind about the convergence of cellular and WiFi networks. Quorum's experienced team has demonstrated that they can deliver the best integrated radio chip for this emerging market and that they will be able to capitalize on this opportunity," added Naser Partovi, managing director of Enterprise Partners venture Capital. The chip is available for sample to OEMs and ODMs involved in the manufacture of cell phones, PDA and accessories. Quorum Systems is currently assisting early adopter partners to make their own call-to-network using the QC2530. |