Avnet RF & Microwave to Offer Conexant's Line of High-Performance RF Components for the Wireless Infrastructure Market.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2002

Avnet RF & Microwave Wednesday announced that it plans to distribute a new family of RF components from Conexant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CNXT), a worldwide leader in semiconductor system solutions for communications applications.

Designed to meet the performance, functionality and cost requirements of current and next generation cellular/PCS/GSM, 2.5 and third generation "3G" base stations, Conexant's wireless infrastructure family includes a broad range of high-performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave components, including high dynamic range receiver front ends, dual fractional N synthesizers, ultra high linearity power amplifier (PA) drivers, and a new line of high gain, linear PA modules.

"Conexant is positioning itself as a premier supplier of unique integrated solutions for the RF signal chain in wireless infrastructure equipment," said Joel Levine, president of Avnet RF & Microwave. "Conexant's internal resources and capabilities, as well as its vision and advanced RFIC and PA products, make this relationship a perfect match for Avnet RF & Microwave.

"Our specialized RF sales and marketing organization's exposure to the market and real-time designs make this a truly powerful combination."

"An effective RF component distribution channel is critical to Conexant's continued growth and success in the wireless infrastructure market," said Mohy Abdelgany, vice president of RF components and subsystems for Conexant's wireless business unit.

"The Avnet RF & Microwave distribution team, with their in-depth knowledge of RF components and applications, broad wireless account coverage, strong customer relationships and in-house RF applications group make them the obvious choice and an excellent fit with Conexant's wireless infrastructure strategy."

Using advanced process and packaging techniques, Conexant offers a broad range of wireless solutions that satisfy both terminal and infrastructure demands. Covering frequencies from 160 MHz up to 2500 MHz, Conexant's linear Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) PAs and PA Drivers provide up to 1 Watt continuous wave (CW) output power, and up to 45 dBm output third order intercept point (OIP3).

The diversity receiver front ends, covering 700 MHz to 2200 MHz, include LNAs, mixers, buffer and driver amplifiers, attenuators and an LO switch at very low cost. They feature high input IP3 and low noise figure. Conexant's line of dual fractional N synthesizers operate up to 6.1 GHz, and feature low phase noise, fast settling time, and extremely low spurious.

They are ideal for mobile base stations, satellite transceivers, wireless routers, and other wireless applications.

Call Avnet RF & Microwave at 866/AvnetRF (866/286-3873), or visit its Web site at www.avnetRF.com/conexant for further information on these products.

Avnet RF & Microwave is a specialized business unit of Avnet Electronics Marketing and is currently the distribution market leader in the sale of components to the wireless electronics industry.

Avnet RF & Microwave offers a technical selling organization, value-added services including parametric testing, hybrid assembly and design, cable assembly, evaluation boards, die handling, thin film assembly services, hi-rel processing and wireless design services through Avnet Design Services' Bluetooth lab. The Avnet RF & Microwave Web site is located at www.avnetRF.com.

Avnet Electronics Marketing is the largest operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company and one of the world's largest technology marketing and services companies. Avnet Electronics Marketing distributes semiconductors, interconnect, passive and electromechanical components from leading manufacturers.

The company markets, inventories and adds value to these products and provides world-class supply-chain management and engineering design services. Avnet EM serves customers in 63 countries. The company's Web site is located at www.avnet.com.