Conexant's RipTide Audio/Modem Solution Selected by Hewlett-Packard for Latest Generation of HP Pavilion PCs.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 1999--Conexant Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT), formerly Rockwell Semiconductor Systems, Monday announced that its RipTide(TM) audio/modem chipset has been selected by Hewlett-Packard Co. for its latest generation of HP Pavilion PCs.

Conexant's RipTide audio/modem solution provides a comprehensive array of communications and advanced audio capabilities, and is included in all five models that HP recently added to its home PC line. The new HP Pavilion PCs range in price from $799 to $1,799 (initial estimated U.S. street prices). Each new model offers an expanded feature set aimed at helping consumers quickly and easily access the Internet.

RipTide gives HP's Pavilion PCs a full range of standard modem functions including industry-standard 56Kbps V.90. For mainstream audio applications, RipTide provides complete legacy audio support over the PCI bus, while boosting system performance and power-management capabilities as compared with ISA-bus audio or modem implementations.

"We are pleased that Hewlett-Packard has selected Conexant's RipTide solution for its new HP Pavilion PCs," said Tom Eichenberg product line manager for audio products at Conexant. "The new Pavilion systems exemplify the advantages of tightly coupled audio and modem capabilities in today's consumer PCs."

Rockwell introduced the first member of its RipTide family in November 1997 and has been in volume production since August of 1998.

Audio Leadership

Conexant is a leader in the development of modem and advanced audio technologies, and its complete RipTide solution combines modem connectivity with mainstream audio capabilities, advanced wavetable synthesis and three-dimensional sound placement technologies. RipTide was the first solution to fully support Intel's Audio/Modem Riser (AMR) and Mobile Daughter Card (MDC) specifications, which Conexant helped to define. These specifications were aimed at simplifying the OEM's task of integrating audio and modem functions directly on the system motherboard, while simultaneously reducing the cost of the PC's audio/modem subsystem.

Conexant Systems is the $1.2 billion company that was created when Rockwell International spun off its semiconductor systems business to shareowners in December 1998.

Conexant is the world's largest independent company focused exclusively on providing semiconductor products for communications electronics. With more than 30 years of experience in developing analog modem technology, the company draws upon its expertise in mixed-signal processing and communications technology to deliver integrated systems and semiconductor products for a broad range of communications applications.

These products facilitate communications worldwide through wireline voice and data communications networks, cordless and cellular wireless telephony systems, personal imaging devices and equipment, and emerging cable and wireless broadband communications networks. The company aligns its business into five product platforms: Personal Computing, Personal Imaging, Wireless Communications, Digital Infotainment and Network Access.