Mindspeed Expands ZipWire Family with G.shdsl Modem Devices that are Industry's First DSL Solutions to Include Built-In Line-Testing Technology.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2001

Devices Provide Integrated Diagnostic Capabilities That Previously

Required Expensive Test Systems And/Or Truck Rolls

Mindspeed Technologies(TM), the Internet infrastructure business of Conexant Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNXT), a worldwide leader in semiconductor system solutions for communications applications, today expanded its ZipWire(TM) family of multi-mode broadband modem solutions to support the full range of business-class symmetric digital subscriber line (SDSL) standards including the recently ratified G.991.2 symmetric high-bit-data-rate DSL (G.shdsl) specification.

ZipWire additions include the ZipWirePlus(TM) single-port customer-premises equipment (CPE) solution, and an eight-port ZipWireMulti(TM) central-office (CO) version that implements the company's new LoopWizard(TM) technology for diagnosing line problems without the need for expensive test equipment or truck rolls (see Mindspeed number two, which follows this news release).

Mindspeed's ZipWirePlus (CX28975) and ZipWireMulti (CX28985) solutions are fully compliant with the International Telecommunications Union's recently ratified G.911.2 (G.shdsl) specifications, for which Mindspeed provided a number of patented technologies related to line provisioning and performance.

G.shdsl is the newest member of the SDSL family, the industry's preferred business-class DSL service because it offers symmetrical data rates high enough to support capabilities such as multi-channel voice, Web hosting, video teleconferencing and e-mail servers. Because G.shdsl is faster than SDSL over longer distances and uses one pair of copper wires rather than two for E1 or T1 transport applications, it is accessible to a greater proportion of business customers.

Mindspeed's CX28985 CO solution provides the added benefit of built-in line-testing capabilities for diagnosing problems that have caused an estimated 50 percent of all DSL lines to fail at hook-up on the first attempt.

"We have designed our new G.shdsl offering to streamline system design and optimize performance, while directly addressing the enormous DSL deployment problem," said Tom Kovanic, vice president for Mindspeed's broadband access business.

"The CX28985 solution's integrated RISC processor speeds time-to-market while also removing real-time software development requirements and freeing up the customer's host processor for other value-added capabilities," Kovanic added. "At the same time, it offers the ideal platform for implementing built-in line-testing capabilities and cutting up to $5 in per-port line-testing expenses -- with more savings expected as we continue to add features to our LoopWizard offering."

According to market research firm IDC, there will be 100,000 business customers using G.shdsl by year's end. By 2003, that number will grow to 900,000 subscribers.

Technical Details

Mindspeed's new CX28975 and CX28985 G.shdsl solutions feature integrated processors that handle all real-time DSL processes. This eliminates the need for equipment manufacturers to port complicated DSL software to the DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) and burden its host processor. The multi-mode ZipWirePlus and ZipWireMulti solutions support G.shdsl (G.991.2), HDSL (2B1Q), HDSL2 (ANSI T1.418), and integrated services digital network DSL (IDSL).

For voice applications, Mindspeed's CX28985 ZipWireMulti CO solution supports concurrent transport of pulse code modulation (PCM) time slots and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) data provided via a Universal Test and Operation Physical (UTOPIA) Level II interface.

This enables it to implement channelized voice over DSL (CVoDSL) by assigning time slots to voice channels and then using ATM for the remaining data payload. With CVoDSL capability, low cost integrated access devices (IADs) will be able to provide voice and data services consistent with what the ITU is now attempting to define with its embryonic G.voice specification.

The IAD assigns the time slots to the voice calls, and the CX28985 central-office modem solution strips them out and sends them to the carrier's Class 5 voice switch on a standard E1 or T1 interface.

Mindspeed also has included proprietary line driver technology with its G.shdsl family to support the G.991.2-compliant enhanced performance asymmetrical power (EPAP) spectral-density mode of operation. EPAP manipulates the spectral output to reduce noise interference.

This adds the necessary 1,000 feet of reach that is required to put more customers into the critical carrier serving area (CSA) located within 12,000 feet of their nearest CO. The EPAP feature is implemented in support of either G.shdsl (G.991.2) or HDSL2 (ANSI T1.418), under software command.

Mindspeed's CX28975 and CX28985 solutions are backward-compatible with the company's large installed base of original ZipWire SDSL modem solutions that operate in 2B1Q mode. They also include full support for AutoBaud(TM) SDSL interoperability technology, which significantly enhances the connection set-up process between SDSL customer premises and central-office equipment operating at any one of the dozens of line rates that SDSL technology supports.

Mindspeed's G.shdsl solutions offer the industry's highest level of functional integration, and feature low power consumption of approximately 1 W at 2,320 Kbps (including AFE and line driver dissipation). The CX28975 is offered in two package options, a 13x13 mm chip-array ball grid array (CABGA) or a 24x24 mm low-profile quad flat pack (LQFP).

Its associated analog front end (AFE)/line driver combination is packaged in a 7x7 mm land grid array (LGA). The CX28985 is offered in a 27x27 mm ball grid array (BGA) and uses the same companion AFE/LD package as the CX28975.

Pricing and Availability

Mindspeed's CX28975 single-port ZipWirePlus CPE solution and CX28985 ZipWireMulti octal CO solution are sampling now. The CX28975 ZipWirePlus CPE solution is priced at $24 per unit in OEM volumes of 100,000 and will enter volume production in the third calendar quarter of 2001. The CX28985 ZipWireMulti CO solution is priced at $160 per unit in OEM volumes of 10,000 and will enter volume production in the fourth calendar quarter.

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: Mindspeed Technologies and Conexant.

Mindspeed Technologies is focused on Internet infrastructure products including WAN transport, multiservice access and broadband access for applications that extend from the edge of the Internet all the way to its optical core.

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.

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 or www.mindspeed.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 Editors: Conexant is a trademark of Conexant Systems, Inc. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.