AMCC and Fulcrum Microsystems Demonstrate Industry's Highest Density Evaluation Platform for 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ at NXTcomm.

Companies Combine Space-Saving SFP+ Connectivity With Low-Latency Ethernet Switching in New Joint Reference Design

Visit AMCC at NXTcomm -- Booth # 7536 at McCormick Place in Chicago

CHICAGO -- Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (NASDAQ:AMCC), a global leader in embedded Power Architecture[TM] processing, optical transport and storage solutions, and Fulcrum Microsystems today announced a new jointly designed SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch reference design code named "Lassen" at NXTcomm, a leading telecommunications technology trade show taking place this week in Chicago.

The joint reference platform combines AMCC's QT2035S SFP+ physical (PHY) layer IC and its Power Architecture-based 440EPx CPU with Fulcrum's FocalPoint([R]) FM2224 10 GbE switch chip and ControlPoint[TM] software suite. The reference design is the first to marry the space-saving SFP+ module form-factor, which is up to 30% smaller than competing form factors, with a high-performance, low latency switch.

The single plane, joint reference design is a 24-port, pizza-box style switch with 24 SFP+ ports. The AMCC QT2035S PHY enables all reaches of 10 GbE in an SFP+ form factor including SR, LR, LRM and ER. In addition, 10 GbE over twin-axial copper cable is also supported. New levels of integration include the Fulcrum[TM] software stack being ported to AMCC's PowerPC 440EPx CPU. The 440EPx embedded processor features speeds up to 667 MHz with on-chip security and is ideal for high-speed networking applications. The Fulcrum switch chip ensures wire-rate switching performance with the industry's lowest latency of 200 ns. The combination provides the highest density and highest performance 10 GbE switching solution available on the market today.

"As 10 Gigabit Ethernet moves deeper into MAN and WAN environments, companies such as Google, AOL and Yahoo, who run massive data centers, are seeking compact, high density switches that provide the highest levels of access performance as the network convergence trend continues to accelerate," said Mitch Kahn, Vice President of Marketing, Transport Products, AMCC. "This joint reference design with its lower cost, lower power consumption and smaller footprint can provide a complete processing and switching solution for our customers."

"With SFP+ gaining momentum as the new MSA standard for next-generation 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 'Lassen' is a feature-complete reference design that includes both our FM2224 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch chip and our ControlPoint software suite," said Mike Zeile, Vice President of Marketing for Fulcrum Microsystems. "Working with AMCC and Intel on 'Lassen' marks another important step in the development of an ecosystem in which 10 Gigabit Ethernet can become the standard for enterprise networks."

NXTcomm visitors to AMCC's booth # 7536 will be able to view a live demonstration of the "Lassen" SFP+ 24 point joint reference design. Schematics and layout files for the platform will be available in August.

About AMCC

AMCC is a global leader in network and embedded PowerPC[TM] processing, optical transport and storage solutions. Our products enable the development of converged IP-based networks offering high-speed secure data, high-definition video and high-quality voice for carrier, metropolitan, access and enterprise applications. AMCC provides networking equipment vendors with industry-leading communications processing, Ethernet, SONET and switch fabric solutions. AMCC is also the leading vendor of high-port count SATA RAID controllers enabling low-cost, high-performance, high-capacity storage. AMCC's corporate headquarters are located in Sunnyvale, California. Sales and engineering offices are located throughout the world. For further information regarding AMCC, please visit our web site at http://www.amcc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expects, anticipates, plans, believes, estimates, will or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the products discussed in this press release, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the products may not be successfully or timely developed, completed or manufactured or achieve market acceptance, risks relating to general economic conditions, as well as the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in the Company's other SEC filings. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and AMCC does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

AMCC is a registered trademark of APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION. PowerPC is a trademark licensed by the IBM Corporation. Power Architecture is a trademark licensed by Power.org. All other names are for informational purposes and may be trademarks of their respective owners.