Sierra Wireless introduces PCI Express Mini Card for EV-DO

August 22, 2005

Sierra Wireless announced that the company has commenced modest initial shipments of the MC5720 PCI Express Mini Card wireless module for Evolution, Data Optimized (EV-DO) networks, and expects to commence commercial volume shipments by the end of this year. In addition, the MC8755/MC8765 PCI Express Mini Card modules for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) networks are available to OEM customers for testing and integration, with commercial shipments expected to begin in early 2006.

Optimized for best possible performance with a laptop, the PCI Express Mini Card modules will provide an "AirCard Enabled" experience and deliver the benefits of 3G speeds with the reliability and functionality mobile customers have come to expect from Sierra Wireless' AirCard products.

In-Stat is forecasting brisk growth in the market for embedded wireless modules in laptops, with shipments reaching over 4.5 million units by 2008. "Next year will be a breakthrough year, with many of the top laptop OEMs expected to roll out models with built-in wireless EV-DO or HSDPA connectivity," said Allyn Hall, Director of Wireless Research at In-Stat.

"Sierra Wireless is committed to building upon our expertise in wireless data by offering OEM customers worldwide a comprehensive line of PCI Express Mini Card modules for integration into their end-user devices," said Trent Punnett, Vice President of Marketing for Sierra Wireless. "With the integration and certification support Sierra Wireless delivers, OEM customers can accelerate their time to market and tightly manage their development risk. We are finding that these services, combined with our long track record of success in helping OEMs get their wirelessly enabled products to market, are very important and highly valued by our customers."

AirCard Enabled

Sierra Wireless PCI Express Mini Card modules include a common comprehensive WHQL-certified USB software driver architecture that provides superior power management, a dedicated diagnostic channel and the ability to enable or disable NDIS, which provides maximum flexibility to OEM customers when designing their wireless product. To simplify and expedite product development cycles, Sierra Wireless also provides system integrators and OEM customers with comprehensive software development kits (SDK) or Sierra Wireless' own Watcher software for easy connection management. Each module measures 51 x 30 x 4.5 mm and weighs in at less than 12 g, and all three comply with new European Union directives on RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances).

MC5720 PCI Express Mini Card for EV-DO networks

The dual-band MC5720 PCI Express Mini Card, built using the latest MSM6500 Mobile Station Modem chipset from QUALCOMM, offers typical download data rates of 400-700 kbps, with peak speeds up to 2.4 Mbps. To provide coverage in areas where an EV-DO network connection is not available, the MC5720 module is also compatible with widely available 1X networks and will seamlessly switch without interrupting the user.

The MC5720 is Sierra Wireless' third product for EV-DO networks, building on nearly two years of product development and refinement since the launch of the company's first-to-market EV-DO PC Card in 2003.

MC8755/MC8765 PCI Express Mini Cards for HSDPA networks

Both the MC8755 and MC8765 PCI Express Mini Cards are built using the latest MSM6275 Mobile Station Modem chipset from QUALCOMM and offer peak download speeds of 1.8 Mbps. The MC8765 utilizes the 850/1900 MHz HSDPA UMTS frequency bands and is targeted primarily for use in North America, while the MC8755 operates on the 2100 MHz HSDPA UMTS frequency band and is designed for markets in Europe and Asia.

Both the MC8755 and the MC8765 modules are also compatible with EDGE and GSM/GPRS networks on all four GSM frequency bands (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz), for use in areas where a UMTS network is not available.