PMC-Sierra Introduces Industry's first Multi-Channel Cell and Packet Processor for ATM, Point-to-Point-Protocol, PPP, and Frame Relay Applications.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1997--

Versatile S/UNI-QJET Provides Four J2, E3, and T3 Interfaces to

Enable Next-Generation Port Adapters for High Speed, High Density

Internet Backbone Connections

PMC-Sierra today announced the release of the PM7346 S/UNI-QJET, a four-channel device supporting the J2, E3 and T3 framing standards as well as ATM cell processing.

The S/UNI-QJET (Quad J2, E3, T3), the industry's most integrated cell and packet processor, is the first merchant device capable of supporting the three major Internet backbone connection standards. By integrating functions that previously required more than eight individual chips, the S/UNI-QJET enables a new generation of flexible high-density port adapters for use across a number of product applications including remote access concentrators, frame relay switches, ATM switches and DSL Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs).

The S/UNI-QJET provides four J2 (6.3 Mbit/s), E3 (34.4 Mbit/s), T3 (44.7 Mbit/s) framers and four ATM cell processors in a single device. It can be independently configured on a per channel basis as an ATM PHY device, or as a packet processor interface, providing a quad channel solution for J2 Frame Relay, J2 ATM, E3 ATM, E3 Frame Relay, T3 ATM, and/or T3 Frame Relay.

S/UNI-QJET provides a standard five signal P1149.1 JTAG test port for boundary scan board test purposes and is implemented using low power 3.3V CMOS technology with 5V tolerant inputs. S/UNI-QJET is also software compatible with PMC-Sierra's existing industry standard single channel T3/E3 ATM PHY device, the PM7345 S/UNI-PDH, enabling a smooth upgrade path for the large base of existing designs.

"Our ISP customers are aggressively upgrading their network backbone connections to meet the explosive demand for Internet bandwidth," said Dennis Rainville, Ascend vice president of hardware engineering. "We worked closely with PMC-Sierra on the specification of the S/UNI-QJET and will use it to ensure that our next generation ATM and Frame Relay products meet our customers' needs for high density solutions," continued Rainville.

S/UNI-QJET samples will be available late in the fourth quarter of 1997, packaged in a 27 by 27mm 256 pin BGA, and characterized for industrial temperature range operation (-40 to +85 degrees Celsius). The device is priced at $185 in 5KU quantities. S/UNI-QJET's applications support package includes a J2/E3/T3 packet interface hardware reference design, an ATM PHY interface application note, datasheets, and a technical overview.

"The S/UNI-QJET's ability to support J2, E3 and T3, the world's three key Internet backbone connection standards, in a single device is crucial for state-of-the-art ATM and packet switch platforms," said Glenn Bindley, PMC-Sierra's director of marketing. "By supporting four or more S/UNI-QJET's on a single line card, we can ensure that these new high performance platforms fully utilize the available switch bandwidth," Bindley concluded.

The S/UNI-QJET is designed to be software compatible and seamlessly interoperate with PMC-Sierra's broad line of internetworking solutions. For ATM J2, E3, and T3 PHY interfaces, it connects directly to the PM7322 RCMP-800 ATM Layer cell processor over an industry standard Utopia Level II compliant bus. For Frame Relay or Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) J2, E3, and T3 interfaces, the S/UNI-QJET connects directly to the PM7366 FREEDM-8 high speed packet processor.

The S/UNI-QJET connects directly to the PM5342 SPECTRA-155 SONET Framer/Mapper for ATM or packet applications which require DS-3 signals (the framing format for T3 interfaces) to be mapped directly into the STS-1 or STS-3 payload and carried over SONET. In addition, the S/UNI-QJET can be configured to provide a quad cell processor for direct connection to available ADSL modems, enabling a high density implementation of the emerging industry standard ATM-based DSLAM architecture.

PMC-Sierra is a leading provider of high speed internetworking component solutions emphasizing ATM, SONET/SDH, T1/E1 and Ethernet applications. The company's quality system is register with the Quality Management Institute to the ISO 9001 standard. As co-founder of the SATURN Development Group, PMC-Sierra works with over 30 other member companies to define and develop interoperable, standard-compliant solutions for high speed networking applications.

Headquartered near Vancouver, British Columbia, PMC-Sierra also offers local technical and sales support in California, North Carolina, Ottawa, Massachusetts, Texas, Europe and Asia. In Beaverton, Oregon, the company has established an Ethernet products division focused on developing leading edge Ethernet semiconductor solutions. PMC-Sierra is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.pmc-sierra.com .

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