ANADIGICS Reverse Amplifier Drives Internet Enabled CATV Systems.

WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1999--

Next Generation amplifier exceeds MCNS/DOCSIS specifications, offering industry leading linearity and noise figure for cable modems

and interactive set-top boxes.

ANADIGICS introduces the ARA1400 next generation reverse amplifier for use in cable modems and interactive set-top boxes. The ARA1400 offers the high performance characteristics required by interactive set-top boxes and cable modems designed to support interactive CATV, high speed Internet services, and telephony over the Internet. The CATV reverse amplifier with step attenuator delivers up to 33 dB gain at 5 volt operation and provides the lowest distortion and best output noise power in the industry, while conforming to MCNS/DOCSIS standards developed by the cable industry.

In interactive CATV applications, the outgoing signal requires varying levels of amplification to reach the closest system node depending on the proximity to the node. The ARA1400 amplifier uses an integrated digitally controlled precision step attenuator to increase signal output power to the necessary levels. The precision attenuator varies gain in 4 dB steps over a range of 56 dB, providing greater performance than variable gain amplifiers. The use of a precision step attenuator insures that the ARA1400 satisfies the tight DOCSIS specifications for attenuation accuracy.

In addition to providing a greater attenuation range, the ARA1400 also features a higher level of integration by incorporating additional RF switching on board. "The ARA1400 is the next evolution of ANADIGICS reverse amplifiers, providing high performance and higher levels of integration," said Ron Michels, Director, Cable & Broadcast Business Segment. "This part reflects ANADIGICS commitment to providing lower cost solutions by greatly increasing on-chip functionality."

"The unprecedented combination of low distortion and low output noise figure of the ARA1400 not only meets the demanding specifications of the cable industry, but gives cable modem and cable set-top box designers a solution with plenty of margin, increasing ease of manufacture," notes Ray Waugh, Design Engineer. "The use of gallium arsenide (GaAs) allows ANADIGICS to offer a CATV reverse amplifier with this level of performance."

The ARA1400 offers industry-leading maximum output noise power of -41 dBmV in a 3.2 MHz bandwidth at minimum gain setting, and a noise figure of 1.7 dB. In addition, it demonstrates maximum second harmonic levels of -55 dBc and maximum third harmonics of -60dBc. It is a single-ended design that achieves this industry-leading harmonic performance without the need for a balun on the output stage, reducing overall system design costs.

The ARA1400 is priced at $3.80 in quantities of 10,000.

The devices are manufactured at the company's state-of-the-art facility in New Jersey and are 100% RF tested before shipping.

For additional information on pricing and product availability, contact ANADIGICS by phone [phone] or FAX [phone]. For information on ANADIGICS, visit the company's web site at http://www.anadigics.com

Founded in 1985, ANADIGICS (NASDAQ: ANAD) is a pioneer in the manufacture of gallium arsenide integrated circuits for high volume communications applications. ANADIGICS components are the enabling technology for many of today's products used in consumer electronic applications, including mobile telephones, cable television set-top boxes and distribution networks, fiber-optic data transmission systems and other advanced communications networks. To date, ANADIGICS has delivered over 100 million GaAs ICs and was the first GaAs IC manufacturer to receive ISO 9001 Certification. For more information on ANADIGICS, visit the Company's web site at www.anadigics.com