New Hardware and SIP Software Solution From Cirrus Logic Sets New VoIP Phone Price/Performance Standards.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2001

Communications systems designers working on new generations of voice over IP (VoIP) applications now have EZ-VoIP(tm), an easy-to-implement, low-cost solution from Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS).

Built around the company's popular CS89712 VoIP chip, the new CS89712S EZ-VoIP solution incorporates Startek Technologies' SIPNess(tm) software solution for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Phones and Terminals. The SIPNess software is an expandable solution based on international VoIP standards. It performs the functionality of an advanced SIP-UA system, occupies less than 160Kbytes of program memory and provides an advanced configurable application generator.

The SIPNess software is the industry's first VoIP software that implements all the software modules of a VoIP phone on a single processor. It combines the Audio Processing (DTMF Detection and Generation, A-law and Mu-law Codecs), Real-Time multi-media modules (SIP, SDP, RTP/RTCP) and Network Protocol Stack (UDP, IP, DHCP, ICMP), with a highly efficient Operating System specially designed for media streaming over IP Networks. The software provides manufacturers a fast path to production of low cost VoIP systems.

"Startek has developed a proven, next generation, voice over IP software technology," says Jeff Luftig, marketing manager for Cirrus Logic's Communications Division. "By bundling the SIPNess software with the CS89712 and providing an easy to use reference platform, we can enable a VoIP telephony silicon and software bill of materials (BOM) for less than $30, and a full speaker phone silicon and software BOM for less than $35."

The CS89712S EZ-VoIP solution is the industry's first VOIP device to combine a low power, high performance 74MHz ARM720TDMI Core with 10Mbps Ethernet connectivity (MAC and PHY) and a wide array of peripherals. The CS89712S simplifies the design and reduces the total system cost of Internet communication systems allowing manufacturers to improve their time to market.

"The CS89712S is a highly integrated device that provides an excellent cost effective solution for manufacturers of affordable SIP VoIP Phones," says Dov Ben-Asher, general manager of Startek Technologies. "Its extensive support of peripheral devices enhances the flexibility our software solution and allows us to add new applications and features for SIP Terminals."

"There has been a tremendous response to the introduction of our CS89712 as an increasing number of manufacturers design products for the VOIP equipment market," said Clark Jernigan, vice president and general manager of Cirrus Logic's Communications Division. "To help those manufacturers get their products to market quickly, we have taken some of the more time consuming and expensive development processes, such as system design and SIP software implementation and rolled them into a single, easy-to-implement solution."

Feature Rich Device

Minimizing the need for external logic in system implementations, the CS89712S incorporates the following suite of system peripherals:

-- SDRAM/Flash/SRAM/ROM controller     -- 10Mb Ethernet MAC & PHY

-- LCD controller                      -- MMU

-- Two UARTs                           -- 48K of SRAM

-- Infrared Interface                  -- On chip boot ROM

-- 8Kbytes of Cache                    -- Real-Time Clock

With its software support, reference design and rich set of built-in peripherals, the CS89712S EZ-VoIP solution requires few additional components to provide a complete communications system.

Cirrus Logic

Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog and DSP chip solutions for Internet entertainment electronics. Building on its global market share leadership in audio integrated circuits and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, the company targets high-volume audio, storage and communications applications. Cirrus Logic sells its products under the Crystal(R), Maverick(tm) and 3Ci(tm) brands as well as its own name. Founded in 1984 in Silicon Valley, Cirrus Logic operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas and major sites located in Fremont, Calif. and Broomfield, Colo. as well as offices in Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

Startek Technologies

Startek Technologies is a premier supplier of communication software solutions for DSP and MCU chips. Startek Technologies has developed the industry's first UDP/IP stack for 16 bits DSP devices, and is a leading provider of SIP protocol stack. Startek Technologies sells its software products under the SIPNess(tm) name. Founded in 1999, Startek Technologies has research and development along with its headquarters in the Galilee area of Israel. More information about Startek Technologies is available at www.ipness.com.

Safe Harbor Provision

Any forward-looking statement and all other statements that may be made in this news release that are not historical facts are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. Please refer to Cirrus Logic's current Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ. The foregoing information represents information as of the date of this news release, and Cirrus Logic undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.

Note to editors: Cirrus Logic, Crystal(R), Maverick(tm) and 3Ci(tm) are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.