U.S. Navy Deploys Wireless Gateways From 3e Technologies International to Enable Ship-Wide...

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2002

3e-520N Wireless Gateways Enable USS HOWARD Personnel to Access Data

From PDA Devices and Wireless Laptops Anywhere on the Ship

3e Technologies International Inc. (3eTI) today announced

USS HOWARD (DDG-83), an Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer, has implemented a ship-wide wireless network using forty 3e-520N Wireless Gateways, allowing personnel to use wireless devices to access crucial network resources and conduct video applications. This Gateway is powered by National Semiconductor's (NYSE:NSM) Geode(TM) solution to achieve high performance and expandability.

"It is becoming increasingly important, during day-to-day operations, to reach the last 100 ft. onboard ship with key technical resources. In order to accomplish this task, our physical networks need to be supplemented with wireless capability," stated David Bartlett, Smartship Science and Technology Manager, U.S. Navy. "3eTI's 3e-520N Wireless Gateways are providing that critical connectivity to the ship's network resources from virtually all spaces on the ship. The potential is there, not only to improve productivity but also reduce our total ownership costs by improving the efficiency and accuracy of maintenance actions and reducing installation costs by limiting the amount of cable which must be run for the physical LAN."

The 3e-520N Wireless Gateways also enable the network to support infrared (IR) and 802.11b wireless technologies, simplifying management and broadening the number of wireless RF and IR devices that can be used throughout the ship.

Without the 3e-520N Wireless Gateway, USS HOWARD personnel could only use the network from a computer terminal with a physical connection, but now personnel can access critical information or instantly communicate with others throughout the ship from a standard wireless PDA, wireless laptop computer or other hand-held wireless devices.

Not only does this streamline communication and maintenance, but it also enables personnel to remain connected to the network while they move around the ship.

"3eTI is always focused on delivering the best applications to meet customers' needs, and the implementation of our 3e-520N Wireless Gateways on USS HOWARD is a huge validation of the value we deliver," said Steven Chen, President and CEO of 3e Technologies International. "The 3e-520N Wireless Gateway is providing the Navy with a wireless networking solution, unmatched by anything in the industry, and I know that it will enable its personnel to not only improve productivity, but also communicate more effectively."

USS HOWARD is currently evaluating capabilities and applications using the wireless network, allowing for the streamlining of communication throughout the ship and enabling remote technical assistance where critical information must be shared immediately between various remote areas around the ship.

About The 3e-520N Wireless Gateway

The 3e-520N Wireless Gateway is the first military-grade gateway solution to support IEEE 802.11b, Ethernet LAN and WAN, IrDA, LPR Printer Port, Gateway or Access Point modes, multiple levels of security including 128 bit WEP encryption and address filtering, all in one device.

The 3e-520N Wireless Gateway meets very stringent environmental, performance, and ease-of-use specifications and provides transparent access to the wired Local Area Network (LAN) for multiple wireless users. It also incorporates the flexibility to configure multiple levels of security and operating modes, so that certain applications have guaranteed level of security.

3eTI's 3e-500 Family of Wireless Gateways are designed to use National Semiconductor's Geode SC3200 processors to support wireless networking within a small footprint. The processors are members of National's Information Appliance-on-a-Chip family of fully integrated x86 system chips.

These single-chip processors include a Geode GX1 32-bit x86 compatible processor, a TFT video processor, core logic, and selected SuperI/O functions. These features, combined with the small form factor and low power consumption, make it ideal as the core of a thin-client device used in this Navy application.

The USS HOWARD WLAN installation has been a collaborative Navy/Industry effort, led by the Smartship (TSC 400F8) and AEGIS Ship Building Program Office (TSC 400D). Other key Navy participants on the team include the PEO-Surface Strike (PMS-512), SPAWAR (PMW-165), Naval Surface Warfare Center's Crane and Carderock Divisions.

About 3e Technologies International

3e Technologies International, Inc., also known as AEPTEC Microsystems, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless networking and telematics solutions. The company, headquartered in Rockville, MD, was founded in 1996, with the mission of delivering always-connected, gateway, monitoring and networking solutions for mobile users in the home, office, factory floor, or on the go.

3eTI is 100% self funded, profitable and has doubled its revenue and headcount every year for the last 5 years. 3eTI services and solutions encompass the wide spectrum of e-Devices, e-Infrastructures and e-Applications.

In addition to its Rockville, MD headquarters, 3eTI operates offices in Blairsville, PA, Reno, NV and Dahlgren, VA. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.3eti.com.