PMC-Sierra Introduces Industry's Most Highly Integrated Eight-Channel Combined T1/E1/J1 Framer and LIU for IP Routers and Wireless Infrastructure.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- OCTAL T1/E1/J1 framer and LIU increases integration, improves reliability and lowers system costs

PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMCS) today announced the eight-channel PM4358 COMET(TM) OCTAL T1/E1/J1 framer with integrated analog Line Interface Unit (LIU). To address increasing bandwidth requirements at the network edge, service providers must provide higher density T1/E1 line cards for new and existing equipment, while minimizing capital expenditure. The COMET OCTAL provides the industry's most integrated solution, enabling system designers to:

--reduce system costs, saving more than 20 percent compared to competitive solutions;

--reduce board space with a compact package and integrated terminations, requiring 75 percent fewer line side components than competitive solutions;

--enhance system reliability with 1:1 redundancy support; and

--leverage existing firmware that is compatible with the popular COMET and COMET QUAD devices.

The COMET OCTAL provides a common Framer and LIU solution platform for all major worldwide formats. In a compact 17mm by 17mm package, the device provides complete line side integration, software-selectable redundancy for 1:1 protection, software-selectable framing for three global primary rate framing formats (T1/E1/J1) and support for short-haul and long-haul analog line interfaces.

"PMC-Sierra is committed to providing the industry's most integrated, lowest total cost T1/E1/J1 solutions," said Dino Bekis, vice president of marketing for PMC-Sierra's Communications Products Division. "The COMET OCTAL integrates PMC-Sierra's proven T1/E1 technology, while addressing critical constraints on cost, space and power. System designers can leverage this compact, field-proven solution to deliver the high-density, low-cost line cards that wireless and wireline service providers demand."

Increased Integration and Reduced System Cost

The COMET OCTAL's fully integrated line side termination reduces the number of external line side components by 75 percent compared to available solutions. Its compact package and fully integrated termination make it the industry's smallest total footprint eight port T1/E1/J1 framer and LIU solution offering a system cost savings of more than 20 per cent compared to available alternatives.

Redundancy Support for Improved System Reliability

The COMET OCTAL enhances system reliability by enabling customers to implement software selectable 1:1 protection for redundant applications with no additional board components. In a redundant application, a standby T1/E1/J1 interface is used to protect an active link, allowing a quick recovery in case of line failures. The device also autonomously generates periodic performance reports, which reduce the software overhead associated with meeting T1 Standards in high-density designs.

A Family of Highly Integrated T1/E1/J1 Solutions

PMC-Sierra today also introduced the four-channel PM4359 COMET TETRA T1/E1/J1 framer with integrated analog LIU. Both devices are hardware and software compatible, allowing designers to develop a single design for both four- and eight-port applications.

The COMET OCTAL and COMET TETRA architectures are based on PMC-Sierra's PM4354 COMET QUAD, the industry's first 3.3V integrated four-channel T1/E1/J1 framer/LIU device. As a result, designers are able to leverage software developed for the COMET QUAD for new eight port designs with the COMET OCTAL.

The COMET OCTAL and COMET TETRA are compatible with PMC-Sierra's Layer 2 solutions, such as FREEDM (HDLC Controller for PPP, Multi-Link PPP, Frame Relay and Multi-Link Frame Relay), IMA (Inverse Multiplexing for ATM) or AAL1gator (AAL1 Circuit Emulation), which provide proven interoperability (See Figures 1 and 2). Alternatively, the COMET OCTAL and COMET TETRA provide a key portion of a total solution based on commercially-available network processors, such as Wintegra's Winpath product family, through a standard interface.

Availability and Customer Support

COMET OCTAL and COMET TETRA will be sampling in the fourth quarter of 2005. Both devices are packaged in a dense 17mm by 17mm, 256 ball PBGA, and characterized for industrial temperature range operation (-40 to +85 degrees Celsius). These devices are also available in RoHS compliant lead-free packaging.

To minimize design time and development resources, a comprehensive COMET OCTAL and COMET TETRA applications solution package is available at http://www.pmc-sierra.com/networking. The applications package includes datasheets, a technical overview and hardware design recommendations. The PM2358-KIT COMET OCTAL Evaluation Kit will be available in the first quarter of 2006, including an evaluation card with full documentation and software.

For more information, contact a PMC-Sierra sales representative at www.pmc-sierra.com/contactSales or visit www.pmc-sierra.com/networking.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra(TM) is a leading provider of high-speed broadband communications semiconductors, storage semiconductors and microprocessors. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support through its network of offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For more information, visit www.pmc-sierra.com.

Attachments

Figure 1: Wireless basestation transceiver (BTS) / Node B

Figure 2: Leased line circuit emulation

For figures, visit:

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pdf/OCTAL_and_TETRA.pdf

For product photo, visit:

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/images/comet-octal_tetra.jpg

Resources to Extend your Product Knowledge and Understanding

PMC-Sierra New Products www.pmc-sierra.com/products/newProducts.html

PMC-Sierra Networking Webinars www.pmc-sierra.com/webinars

PMC-Sierra White Papers www.pmc-sierra.com/whitepaper

(C) Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2005. All rights reserved. PMC, PMCS, PMC-Sierra, and "Thinking You can Build On" are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.