================================================================================
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13G
                                 (Rule 13d-102)

 INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STAEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1 (b) (c),
         AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(b)

                               (AMENDMENT NO.  )*

                          Atheros Communications, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, $.0005 par value per share
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    04743P108
                                    ---------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                December 31, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:

        [_]  Rule 13d-1(b)
        [_]  Rule 13d-1(c)
        [X]  Rule 13d-1(d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
================================================================================


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 2 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        New Enterprise Associates 9, Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        PN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 2 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 3 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        NEA Partners 9, Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        PN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 3 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 4 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        New Enterprise Associates 10, Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        PN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 4 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 5 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        NEA Partners 10, Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        PN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 5 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 6 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        New Enterprise Associates 11, Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        PN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 6 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 7 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        NEA Partners 11, Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        PN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 7 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 8 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        NEA 11 GP, LLC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        OO
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 8 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                           ------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                    Page 9 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                           ------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        Peter J. Barris
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        IN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 9 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                          -------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                   Page 10 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                          -------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        C. Richard Kramlich
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        IN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 10 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                          -------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                   Page 11 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                          -------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        Peter T. Morris
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        IN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 11 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                          -------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                   Page 12 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                          -------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        John M. Nehra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,594,356 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,594,356 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,594,356 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        7.6%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        IN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 12 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                          -------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                   Page 13 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                          -------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        Charles W. Newhall III
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        IN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 13 of 27 Pages


-------------------                                          -------------------
CUSIP No. 04743P108                    13G                   Page 14 of 27 Pages
-------------------                                          -------------------

================================================================================
  1     NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
        I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

        Mark W. Perry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP *
                                                                 (a)[ ]
                                                                 (b)[ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3     SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

        United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           5    SOLE VOTING POWER

                                0 shares
        NUMBER OF          -----------------------------------------------------
         SHARES            6    SHARED VOTING POWER
      BENEFICIALLY
        OWNED BY                3,895,794 shares
          EACH             -----------------------------------------------------
        REPORTING          7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         PERSON
          WITH:                 0 shares
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

        3,895,794 shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES *
        [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

        8.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

        IN
================================================================================
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                               Page 14 of 27 Pages



Item 1(a).    Name of Issuer: Atheros Communications, Inc.
              --------------

Item 1(b).    Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
              -----------------------------------------------
              529 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.

Item 2(a).    Names of Persons Filing:
              -----------------------
              New Enterprise Associates 9, Limited Partnership ("NEA 9"); New
              Enterprise Associates 10, Limited Partnership ("NEA 10") and New
              Enterprise Associates 11, Limited Partnership ("NEA 11"),
              (collectively, the "Funds"); NEA Partners 9, Limited Partnership
              ("NEA Partners 9"), which is the sole general partner of NEA 9;
              NEA Partners 10, Limited Partnership ("NEA Partners 10"), which is
              the sole general partner of NEA 10; NEA Partners 11, Limited
              Partnership ("NEA Partners 11"), which is the sole general partner
              of NEA 11, (collectively, the "GPLPs"); NEA 11 GP, LLC (the
              "GPLLC") which is the sole general partner of NEA Partners 11;
              Peter J. Barris ("Barris"), C. Richard Kramlich ("Kramlich"),
              Peter T. Morris ("Morris"), John M. Nehra ("Nehra"), Charles W.
              Newhall III ("Newhall") and Mark W. Perry ("Perry"), (each a
              "General Partner" and collectively, the "General Partners").
              Barris, Kramlich, Morris, Nehra, Newhall and Perry are individual
              general partners of NEA Partners 9. Barris, Kramlich, Morris,
              Newhall and Perry are individual general partners of NEA Partners
              10. Barris, Kramlich, Morris, Newhall and Perry are individual
              managers of the GPLLC (each a "Manager and collectively the
              "Managers") The persons named in this paragraph are referred to
              individually herein as a "Reporting Person" and collectively as
              the "Reporting Persons."

Item 2(b).    Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:
              -----------------------------------------------------------
              The address of the principal business office of NEA 9, NEA
              Partners 9, NEA 10, NEA Partners 10, NEA 11, NEA Partners 11, the
              GPLLC, Nehra and Newhall is New Enterprise Associates, 1119 St.
              Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The address of the
              principal business office of Kramlich, Morris and Perry is New
              Enterprise Associates, 2490 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California
              94025. The address of the principal business office of Barris is
              11951 Freedom Drive, Suite 1240, Reston, Virginia 20190.

Item 2(c).    Citizenship:
              -----------
              Each of NEA 9, NEA Partners 9, NEA 10, NEA Partners 10, NEA 11 and
              NEA Partners 11 is a limited partnership organized under the laws
              of the State of Delaware. The GPLLC is a limited liability company
              organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. Each of the
              General Partners and the Managers is a United States citizen.

Item 2(d).    Title of Class of Securities:
              ----------------------------
              Common Stock, $.0005 par value ("Common Stock").

Item 2(e).    CUSIP Number: 04743P108.
              ------------

Item 3.       If this statement is filed pursuant to ss.ss. 240.13d- 1(b) or
              --------------------------------------------------------------
              240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
              ----------------------------------------------------------
              (a)  [_]  Broker or Dealer registered under Section 15 of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act").

              (b)  [_]  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act.

              (c)  [_]  Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the
                        Act.

              (d)  [_]  Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the
                        Investment Company Act of 1940.


              (e)  [_]  Investment Adviser in accordance with
                        ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).

              (f)  [_]  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance
                        with ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F).

              (g)  [_]  A Parent Holding Company, in accordance with
                        ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

              (h)  [_]  A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
                        Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

              (i)  [_]  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
                        investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the
                        Investment Company Act of 1940.

              (j)  [_]  Group, in accordance with ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

              None of the above.

Item 4.       Ownership.
              ---------
              (a)  Amount Beneficially Owned: NEA 9 is the record owner of
                   3,594,356 shares of Common Stock (the "NEA 9 Shares") as of
                   December 31, 2004. As the sole general partner of NEA 9, NEA
                   Partners 9 may be deemed to own beneficially the NEA 9
                   Shares. NEA 10 is the record owner of 100,478 shares of
                   Common Stock (the "NEA 10 Shares") as of December 31, 2004.
                   As the sole general partner of NEA 10, NEA Partners 10 may be
                   deemed to own beneficially the NEA 10 Shares. NEA 11 is the
                   record owner of 200,960 shares of Common Stock (the "NEA 11
                   Shares") as of December 31, 2004. As the sole general partner
                   of NEA 11, NEA Partners 11 may be deemed to own beneficially
                   the NEA 11 Shares and as the sole general partner of NEA
                   Partners 11, the GPLLC may be deemed to own beneficially the
                   NEA 11 Shares. By virtue of their relationship as affiliated
                   limited partnerships, whose general partners have overlapping
                   individual general partners, each Fund may be deemed to share
                   the power to direct the disposition and vote of the NEA 9
                   Shares, the NEA 10 Shares and the NEA 11 Shares for an
                   aggregate of 3,895,794 shares (the "Record Shares"). As
                   general partners of the Funds, the GPLPs and the GPLLC may
                   also be deemed to own beneficially all of the Record Shares.
                   As individual general partners of the GPLPs, each General
                   Partner, except Nehra, may be deemed to own beneficially all
                   of the Record Shares. Nehra may be deemed to own beneficially
                   the NEA 9 Shares. As individual managers of the GPLLC, each
                   Manager may be deemed to own beneficially all of the Record
                   Shares.

              (b)  Percent of Class: See Line 11 of cover sheets. The
                   percentages set forth on the cover sheets are calculated
                   based on 47,591,368 shares of Common Stock reported to be
                   outstanding as of November 1, 2004 in the Issuer's most
                   recently filed Quarterly Statement on Form 10-Q, as adjusted
                   pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1).

              (c)  Number of shares as to which such person has:

                   (i)      sole power to vote or to direct the vote: See Line 5
                            of cover sheets.

                   (ii)     shared power to vote or to direct the vote: See Line
                            6 of cover sheets.


                   (iii)    sole power to vote or to direct the vote: See Line 7
                            of cover sheets.

                   (iv)     shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition
                            of: See Line 8 of cover sheets.

              Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of such
              shares of Common Stock except for the shares, if any, such
              Reporting Person holds of record.

Item 5.       Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
              ---------------------------------------------
              Not applicable.

Item 6.       Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
              ----------------------------------------------------------------
              Not applicable.

Item 7.       Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
              ------------------------------------------------------------------
              the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
              -------------------------------------------------------------
              Not applicable.

Item 8.       Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
              ----------------------------------------------------------
              Not applicable. The Reporting Persons expressly disclaim
              membership in a "group" as used in Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(J).

Item 9.       Notice of Dissolution of Group.
              -------------------------------
              Not applicable.

Item 10.      Certification.
              -------------
              Not applicable, this statement on Schedule 13G is not filed
              pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) or Rule 13d-1(c).


                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------

      After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, each
of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.

Date: February 11, 2005

NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 9, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA PARTNERS 9, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      By:                *
          -----------------------------------
             Charles W. Newhall III
             General Partner


NEA PARTNERS 9, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       General Partner

NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 10, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA PARTNERS 10, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      By:                *
          -----------------------------------
             Charles W. Newhall III
             General Partner


NEA PARTNERS 10, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       General Partner



NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 11, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA PARTNERS 11, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      By:                *
          -----------------------------------
             Charles W. Newhall III
             General Partner


NEA PARTNERS 11, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA 11 GP, LLC, its General Partner

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       Manager


NEA 11 GP, LLC

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       Manager


             *
------------------------------
Peter J. Barris


             *
------------------------------
C. Richard Kramlich


             *
------------------------------
Peter T. Morris


             *
------------------------------
John M. Nehra


             *
------------------------------
Charles W. Newhall III



             *
------------------------------
Mark W. Perry

                                        *By:     /s/ Louis S. Citron
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Louis S. Citron as Attorney-in-Fact

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Schedule 13G was executed by Louis S. Citron pursuant to Powers of Attorney
which were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Schedule
13G filing for Myogen, Inc., as of December 31, 2003, which Powers of Attorney
are incorporated herein by reference and copies of which are attached hereto as
Exhibit 2.


                                                                       Exhibit 1
                                                                       ---------

                                    AGREEMENT

        Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the undersigned hereby agree that only one statement containing the information
required by Schedule 13G need be filed with respect to the ownership by each of
the undersigned of shares of Common Stock of Atheros Communications, Inc.

      EXECUTED as a sealed instrument this 11th day of February, 2005.

NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 9, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA PARTNERS 9, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      By:                *
          -----------------------------------
             Charles W. Newhall III
             General Partner


NEA PARTNERS 9, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       General Partner


NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 10, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA PARTNERS 10, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      By:                *
          -----------------------------------
             Charles W. Newhall III
             General Partner


NEA PARTNERS 10, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       General Partner


NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 11, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA PARTNERS 11, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

      By:                *
          -----------------------------------
             Charles W. Newhall III
             General Partner


NEA PARTNERS 11, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By:   NEA 11 GP, LLC, its General Partner

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       Manager


NEA 11 GP, LLC

By:                  *
     ------------------------------------
       Charles W. Newhall III
       Manager


             *
------------------------------
Peter J. Barris

             *
------------------------------
C. Richard Kramlich

             *
------------------------------
Peter T. Morris

             *
------------------------------
John M. Nehra

             *
------------------------------
Charles W. Newhall III



             *
------------------------------
Mark W. Perry

                                        *By:     /s/ Louis S. Citron
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Louis S. Citron as Attorney-in-Fact

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Schedule 13G was executed by Louis S. Citron pursuant to Powers of Attorney
which were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Schedule
13G filing for Myogen, Inc., as of December 31, 2003 which Powers of Attorney
are incorporated herein by reference and copies of which are attached hereto as
Exhibit 2.


                                                                       Exhibit 2
                                                                       ---------

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

            KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Nancy L. Dorman, Charles W.
Newhall III, Louis S. Citron and Eugene A. Trainor III, and each of them, with
full power to act without the others, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, to sign any and all instruments, certificates and
documents that may be necessary, desirable or appropriate to be executed on
behalf of himself as an individual or in his capacity as a general partner of
any partnership, pursuant to section 13 or 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any and all regulations promulgated
thereunder, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and with any other entity when and if such is mandated by the Exchange Act or by
the By-laws of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., granting
unto said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing necessary, desirable or appropriate, fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed as of the
1st day of January, 2001.



                                            /s/ Stewart Alsop II
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stewart Alsop II


                                            /s/ Peter J. Barris
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Peter J. Barris


                                            /s/ Robert T. Coneybeer
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Robert T. Coneybeer


                                            /s/ Nancy L. Dorman
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Nancy L. Dorman


                                            /s/ Ronald Kase
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Ronald Kase


                                            /s/ C. Richard Kramlich
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            C. Richard Kramlich

                                            /s/ Arthur J. Marks
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Arthur J. Marks



                                            /s/ Thomas C. McConnell
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Thomas C. McConnell


                                            /s/ Peter T. Morris
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Peter T. Morris


                                            /s/ John M. Nehra
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            John M. Nehra


                                            /s/ Charles W. Newhall
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Charles W. Newhall III


                                            /s/ Mark W. Perry
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Mark W. Perry


                                            /s/ Scott D. Sandell
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Scott D. Sandell