The purpose of leasing the second floor of the building located at 2600 Michelson is to house the company's Emerging Business Unit. With 25 employees, the unit will concentrate on the company's newest products in the areas of broadband access, wireless networking for homes and offices and Internet devices.

Company president Van Andrews, who lives in Orange County, had previously been commuting to the firm's Core Business Unit in Schaumburg, IL. The firm's primary suppliers, Conexant and Broadcom are also located here.

"We have located our new Emerging Business division in Irvine to spearhead US Robotics' entrance into these high-growth Internet access markets," Andrews says. "We are especially interested in partnering with makers of innovative Internet devices that capture the imagination of consumers and drive them into the stores of our retail channel partners."Broker Nathaniel S. Olson who, along with broker Michael Collins, represented US Robotics in the transaction, says the company will be looking to expand its operations here in as early as a year's time. Olson and Collins are with Collins Commercial Corp. in Irvine.