Conexant Offers High-Performance RF Components for Wireless Infrastructure Market.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2001

Ultra Linear Power-Amplifier Drivers And Receiver Front-End ICs

Are First Standard Products for Wireless Base Stations

Conexant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT), a worldwide leader in semiconductor solutions for communications applications, today announced its first solutions in a new product portfolio of broad range high-performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave components for wireless infrastructure equipment.

The new products are designed to meet the performance, functionality and cost requirements of current- and next-generation cellular base stations.

Conexant's wireless infrastructure product portfolio includes the new CX42053 and CX42054 diversity downconverter/receiver front-ends designed for cellular/PCS base station receivers and new ultra linear Power Amplifier (PA) drivers (CX65001, CX65002 and CX65003) for cellular/PCS, and other wireless transceivers operating up to 2,500 MHz.

"Next-generation wireless networks are placing greater demands on the base stations that transmit and receive signals in cellular and PCS systems," said Mohy Abdelgany, vice president, RF components and subsystems for Conexant.

"To meet these demands, RF designers are continually challenged to increase base station transceiver performance and functionality, while reducing size, power consumption and overall system costs. Conexant is uniquely positioned to address these challenges with our comprehensive RF and mixed signal process and packaging portfolio, extensive circuit design libraries, and our proven track record in wireless component and system design."

Conexant's wireless infrastructure ICs combine superior performance and functionality in a low-cost solution. Target applications include base station transceivers used in global system for mobile communication (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), advanced mobile phone service (AMPS) network, and next-generation enhanced data for GSM (EDGE), General Packet Radio System GPRS, as well as 3G (UMTS, WCDMA), wireless LAN and wireless local loop networks.

Product Details

Among the first devices in the new product portfolio of high-performance, low-cost components are two diversity receivers/downconverters, CX42053 and CX42054, operating from 700 to 1,000 MHz, and 1,700 to 2,500 MHz, respectively. These ICs may be used in single- or dual-channel configuration, with each channel featuring an LNA, Low Noise Amplifier, double balanced mixer, and LO (local oscillator) buffer amplifier.

Both receivers are designed to meet the stringent requirements for high dynamic range, input third order intercept point (IIP3), and low noise in cellular/PCS base station receivers. Their highly integrated design provides a reduced cost solution and a convenient alternative to discrete components.

Utilizing Conexant's GaAs metal semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET) process, these receivers offer the ideal combination of outstanding performance, flexibility and functionality for base station receivers.

Based on Conexant's leading GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology, Conexant's new series of ultra linear PA drivers (CX65001, CX65002, CX65003) offer a typical P1dB of 23 to 25 dBm, at frequencies of 200-600 MHz, 7,000-1,000 MHz and 1,400-2,500 MHz, respectively.

Typical output third order intercept point (OIP3) of 44 dBm and efficiency of 37 percent (CX65002) are among the highest in the industry at this price level. On-chip active bias, simple matching, superior performance and low cost, make them ideal for a variety of wireless applications -- from mobile base stations to wireless LAN and telemetry amplifiers.

Conexant's broad range of high-performance RF and microwave components for the wireless infrastructure complements its broad portfolio of solutions for wireless handsets, which includes complete system solutions, RF subsystems and standalone components. Conexant's infrastructure component roadmap includes a planned rollout of LNAs, modulators, demodulators, down converters, linear PA modules and other components based on the company's leading process technologies.

Pricing And Availability

Conexant's PA drivers are priced starting at $5.19 each in quantities of 1,000. Conexant's receiver front-end ICs are priced starting at $15.55 each in quantities of 1,000 units. For availability, contact Avnet RF & Microwave in North America at 800/532-0321, or a Conexant local sales office.

In addition to standard products, customized solutions that take advantage of Conexant's engineering capabilities and high-volume manufacturing resources are also available.

About Conexant Systems, Inc.

Conexant Systems is a worldwide leader in semiconductor system solutions for communications applications. Conexant leverages its expertise in mixed-signal processing to deliver integrated systems and semiconductor products through two separate businesses: Conexant and Mindspeed Technologies.

Conexant's personal networking business is focused on digital infotainment, personal imaging, wireless communications and personal computing products that are used in mobile communications and the broadband digital home. Mindspeed Technologies is focused on Internet infrastructure products including WAN transport, multiservice access and broadband access for applications that extend from the Internet's access edge all the way to its optical core.

Conexant has headquarters in Newport Beach and delivered revenues of $2.1 billion for fiscal 2000. The company is a member of the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 Indices. To learn more, visit the company at www.conexant.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements relating to future results of Conexant (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: maintaining a consistent and reliable source of energy; global economic and market conditions, such as 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 separation of the company's Internet infrastructure and personal networking businesses; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; 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.

Note to Technical Editors: Additional technical information is available upon request.

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