Conexant's Transimpedance Amplifiers Selected for Bookham Technology's ASOC Integrated Optical Transceivers.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000

Conexant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNXT) Tuesday announced it will begin supplying its highest performing positive-intrinsic negative (PIN) transimpedance preamplifiers to Bookham Technology, a leading provider of application-specific optoelectronic component (ASOC) technology.

Designed and manufactured in pure complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, the MC2006 provides Bookham Technology with the highest-performance capabilities available and increases optical efficiency.

Conexant's MC2006 PIN transimpedance preamplifier was added to the company's portfolio with its January acquisition of Microcosm Communications, a leading developer of analog semiconductors for the fiber-optic market. The MC2006 is the first pre-amplifier designed into Bookham Technology's BKM 2100 and 2400 families of ASOC single- and dual-wavelength, single-fiber, bi-directional optical transceivers. ASOC technology employs the lowest-cost optical material - silicon - to build high-quality integrated optical devices for telecommunication access network applications.

"With the Conexant transimpedance amplifiers, our products gain a high level of performance at 155 Mbps, and the low amplifier noise characteristic permits even greater performance levels at lower data rates," said Robin Morris, director of access network products, Bookham Technology. "The commonality between the production methods makes both products highly suited to applications where the ability to produce in high volumes is paramount."

"This is the first design win in an integrated optics module and we're pleased that Bookham Technology selected our best-in-class performing pre-amplifier which delivers overload for ATM/SONET systems at 155 Mbps," commented Alistair Blaxill, worldwide director of marketing for Conexant's Network Access Division. "We're glad to be working with Bookham Technology, advancing novel technologies which will ultimately bring fiber into the home at an affordable price. This is just one reason we continue to drive products to pure CMOS manufacturing technology."

Conexant's MC2006 preamplifier is also used in Bookham Technology's 3100/3400 bi-directional transceiver modules. The 3100/3400 incorporates Conexant's MC2045 postamplifier IC as well.

Higher-speed products currently in development will use Conexant's in-house silicon germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS technology process to enable high performance, along with low-power consumption, for the fiber-optic networking marketplace. Compared with other fiber-optic chip companies, which use a bipolar-only SiGe process for four-inch wafers or have to work with expensive third parties, Conexant uses eight-inch wafers with added CMOS-capability to provide the lowest cost base in the fiber-optic industry. Conexant's SiGe-based communications semiconductor devices are manufactured at its high-volume wafer fabrication facility in Newport Beach.

ASOC integrated optical transceivers containing Conexant's transimpedance amplifiers are currently being shipped from Bookham Technology's manufacturing plant in Oxfordshire.

About Bookham Technology

Bookham Technology Ltd. (http://www.bookham.com) designs and manufactures silicon integrated optical devices for access and DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) telecommunications applications. The ASOC process can be used to form complex circuits on a silicon chip, integrating a variety of optical functional elements.

About Conexant Systems

With revenues of approximately $1.5 billion, Conexant is the world's largest independent company focused exclusively on providing semiconductor solutions for communications electronics. With more than 30 years of experience in developing communications technology, the company draws upon its expertise in mixed-signal processing 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: Network Access, Wireless Communications, Digital Infotainment, Personal Imaging, and Personal Computing. Conexant is a member of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 Indices. For more information, visit Conexant at www.conexant.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: global and market conditions, including, but not limited to, the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets addressed by the company's and its customers' products; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; the timing of new product introductions; the availability and extent of utilization of manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; fluctuations in manufacturing yields; product obsolescence; the ability to develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection for the related intellectual property; the successful implementation of the company's diversification strategy; labor relations of the company, its customers and suppliers; and the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.