CeBIT-Hanover, Germany - March 13, 2002 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today introduced its next generation Bluetooth? accessories, the LSE141 PC card and LSE139 Compact Flash card, plug-in products that enable instant Bluetooth connectivity for PCs and PDAs. Based on core technology from Wireless Solutions Sweden, which was acquired by National in June 2001, the PC and Compact Flash cards are available to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) for branding and distribution.
The accessories are being demonstrated in National's booth at CeBIT (Hanover, Germany, March 13-20) in Hall 1, stand 5c8 as part of National's exhibit of its Information Appliance and wireless product offerings.
"Consumers are becoming increasingly dependent on wireless communications for their computers, PDAs and PC accessories. Reliable, small form factor products like National's Bluetooth accessories are key to making this communication possible and promoting the rate of Bluetooth adoption," said Walter Daguhn, COO of RFI, one of the world's leading suppliers of Bluetooth data products. RFI, based in M?nchengladbach, Germany, distributes the accessories worldwide under its brand Anycom.
"For the Bluetooth market to grow, consumers must be able to easily make their existing appliances - notebooks, PCs, PDAs and printers - Bluetooth-enabled with accessories such as National's PC and Compact Flash cards," said Per Forsberg, senior marketing manager for National's wireless division. "National's Bluetooth accessories allow end users to make existing products communicate wirelessly and allow our customers an immediate entry into the Bluetooth market, as well as smooth migration to National's Bluetooth modules and silicon."
About the Bluetooth Accessories
The LSE141 PC card is a plug-in unit for PCs and other PC Card Host-enabled devices running various Microsoft Windows operating systems. The card enables point-to-multipoint communication between the PC and peripherals, and supports wireless printing when used in conjunction with National's Bluetooth printer adapter, the LSE019. The LSE141 supports data rates up to 723 kbps and has a space-saving integrated antenna.
The LSE139 Compact Flash card is a plug-in unit for PDAs and other Compact Flash host devices running different Microsoft Windows CE platforms, and enables wireless access and data transfer using Bluetooth technology. The LSE139 supports data rates up to 723 kbps and allows wireless printing when used with the LSE019 printer adapter.
Both the PC card and the Compact Flash card support the following profiles: generic access, serial port, file transfer, dial-up network and LAN access.
The LSE019 printer adapter is a wireless printer module that provides Bluetooth-enabled point-to-point printing. It works with Bluetooth products that support the proprietary Wireless Printing Protocol, as well as general products that support serial port profile printing. The adapter uses a standard Centronics parallel connector to interface the printer and features an integrated antenna.
National's current generation of accessories has been shipping in volume production to customers for more than a year. The next generation accessories will be sampling with customers in April. More information about the accessories is available at http://www.national.com/appinfo/wireless/0,1822,891,00.html.
Editors note: During the show, access National's press releases, photos, background materials, speaker profiles and more online at National's Virtual Press Kit at www.national.com/see/vpk.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; displays; information appliances; and information infrastructure. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 9,800 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
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