Clare's Line Card Access Switch Delivers Maximum Line Density for Ascom's Local Loop Access Equipment.

Business Editors, Technology Writers

BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2001

Low-Cost CPC7581BA Passes ITU-T K.20 System Level, Power Cross and

Lightning Tests

Clare, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPCL), a global leader in analog and mixed-signal telecommunications components, today announced its CPC7581BA line card access switch (LCAS) integrated circuit (IC) has been selected by Ascom to improve line card density in their local loop access equipment.

The CPC7581BA is part of Clare's growing family of silicon solutions targeted at the local loop access and central office (CO) equipment segments.

According to Dataquest, "Public Voice and Remote Access Communication Application Markets" (May 8, 2000), the market for local loop access equipment is expected to grow by nearly 33 percent to $19 billion by 2003, further intensifying the demand for line card ICs such as LCAS beyond the traditional central office.

"Clare's entrance into the line card market mitigates our concerns about LCAS supply and enables us to confidently design this innovative silicon component into our new products," said Max Waller, senior design engineer, Ascom. "We chose Clare's LCAS solution because it satisfies our system level, power cross and lightning test requirements while offering technological, price and availability advantages over the other LCAS provider."

Clare's LCAS products enable industry-leading line card density up to and beyond 32 channels per card. Unlike electromechanical relays (EMRs), LCAS ICs are smaller, consume dramatically less power and add superior silicon reliability to another layer of the telecommunications switching infrastructure. They are non-magnetic, which means they can be placed in close proximity to other components without the threat of interference. They also have automated, quiet switching designed into the ring access switch which eliminates contact bounce, greatly reduces impulse noise and obsoletes the need for external zero-cross circuitry. These features position LCAS solutions as the technology of choice, especially as voice and DSL interfaces begin to be combined on the same line card.

"As the demand for voice and data services grows and the race for space continues, telecommunications companies are looking to optimize their current network infrastructure. One of the most cost effective ways to do this is to increase line card density and, thereby, reduce accompanying real estate requirements and capital costs," said John Battaglini, marketing director, Central Office and Access Products, Clare, Inc. "Until now, LCAS availability has been a barrier to its integration into the public-switching infrastructure. Our entry into the LCAS market gives telecommunications equipment manufacturers a reliable source which will enable the mass adoption of this new high-voltage switching technology."

Clare's SOI Technology Enhances Performance, Drives Cost Down

Clare's unique high-voltage Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) process technology provides greater than 350V breakdown voltage, robust surge performance, low on-resistance and tight on-resistance matching required for switching functionality on line cards. Less silicon area is required to implement these features using SOI technology as compared to traditional high-voltage isolation techniques used by existing products. This efficient use of silicon results in lower material and processing costs, which are passed on to the customer in the form of a lower product price for Clare's LCAS solutions versus competitive products.

About Ascom

Ascom Transmission Ltd. (ATR), which is part of the Ascom Group, is located in Berne, Switzerland. Since 1987, ATR has been committed to developing, manufacturing and marketing cost effective, flexible and managed access network systems. The company's product offerings include systems such as DLCs, multi-service access systems, HDSL and SDSL line systems, transport systems for access networks, for public operators, new operators and dedicated networks throughout the world.

ATR offers a multi-service access network platform with integrated transmission capabilities for copper, fiber-optic cable and a capability for a wide range of service interfaces, from POTS, ISDN to SDH, IP and ATM. Customers include public and new network operators, power utilities, railways, oil companies and OEM partners, who have ATR products in successful operation in over 70 countries.

ATR is the first company on the European market with an ETSI standards compliant HDSL system, MSAP with V5.1 & 5.2 functionality, and ATM based ring transport system. The company aims to be a key player in the growing global Voice over SDSL market.

About Clare, Inc.

Clare is a leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance, mixed-signal and high-voltage integrated circuits (ICs), OptoMOS solid state relays (SSRs) and high-quality Dyad(R) reed switches. The company's products enable communications by providing a critical interface between real-world electrical signals and the low-voltage electronics that process those signals. Leading manufacturers of data communications, telecommunications and industrial equipment around the world rely on Clare for semiconductors and specialized components. Clare trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol CPCL. Additional information about Clare can be found at www.clare.com.

Trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.