PMC-Sierra Introduces Low Power 12 Channel Framing and Mapping Device Solution For SONET/SDH Transport Networks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2003

ARROW 12xETEC Enables Transport Equipment Vendors To Efficiently

Scale Existing Metro Platforms To Higher Densities

PMC-Sierra(TM), Inc. (Nasdaq:PMCS) today introduced the PM5385 ARROW 12xETEC, a 12 channel DS3/E3/STS-1E framing and mapping device for existing and next-generation Add/Drop Multiplexers (ADMs), Multi-service Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs), Digital Cross-Connects (DXCs) (see Figure 1) and terminal multiplexers (see Figure 2). With a measured power consumption of only 2.5W, the ARROW 12xETEC device offers a power savings of over 50 percent when compared to alternate solutions. Metro transport system designers can now leverage the ARROW 12xETEC's power efficiency to scale DS3/E3/STS-1E tributary line cards while lowering overall costs.

ARROW 12xETEC Offers High Performance DS3/E3/STS-1E Transport over SONET/SDH Networks

"With the ARROW 12xETEC, PMC-Sierra adds a high density DS3/E3/STS-1E mapping device to its broad portfolio of products optimized for the metro transport market," said Steve Perna, vice president and general manager, Service Provider Division at PMC-Sierra. "The ARROW 12xETEC's extensive feature set demonstrates PMC-Sierra's commitment to providing our transport customers with solutions addressing the global carriers' most stringent technical requirements."

The ARROW 12xETEC introduces several key features that are critical for metro transport equipment: fully digital DS3/E3 desynchronizers requiring no external Phase Locked Loops (PLLs); fast-locking DS3/E3 digital mechanisms for Automatic Protection Switching (APS); and bi-directional jitter attenuation, allowing use of lower cost Line Interface Units (LIUs). These key features (see Table 1) enable system vendors to enhance system performance while significantly reducing their bill of materials and development costs. PMC-Sierra offers the industry's most complete line of transport equipment ASSPs including T1/E1, SONET/SDH and Ethernet over SONET/SDH (EoS) metro transport and access devices.

Table 1: Highly Integrated ARROW 12xETEC Key Features and Benefits

Features                        Benefits
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Fully digital DS3/E3         -- No external PLLs required to
 desynchronizers meet ITU,       achieve standards compliance; the
 Bellcore, and ANSI jitter and   ARROW 12xETEC's desynchronizer
 wander criteria with            requires only a single 44.736 MHz DS3
 exceptional margin              or 34.368 MHz E3 clock
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 12 fast-locking DS3/E3       -- Guarantees platforms will comply to
 digital synchoronizers/mappers  industry standard GR-253 restoration
 and desynchronizers/demappers   times for SONET/SDH APS in real
 lock to a new signal in less    network environments
 than 14 microseconds
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Bi-directional DS3/E3/STS-   -- Allows use of lower cost Line
 1E jitter attenuation           Interface Units (LIUs), resulting in
                                 further system cost savings
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pricing, Availability and Customer Support

The PM5385 ARROW 12xETEC is currently sampling and priced at $245 in 1KU quantities. The ARROW 12xETEC is fabricated in a low power 0.18 micron CMOS process and typically consumes 2.5W. It is packaged in a 35x35 mm 580-ball HSBGA package. A comprehensive support package including reference design and application notes is available at www.pmc-sierra.com/products. For more information about pricing and availability, contact a PMC-Sierra sales representative at www.pmc-sierra.com/contactsales.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra is a leading provider of high speed broadband communications and storage semiconductors and MIPS-based(TM) processors for Enterprise, Access, Metro Optical Transport, Storage Area Networking and Wireless network equipment. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support, including a network of offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The company's quality system is registered with the Quality Management Institute to the ISO 9001 standard. PMC-Sierra is included in the S&P 500 Index which consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. PMC-Sierra is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol. For more information, visit http://www.pmc-sierra.com/networking.

Attachments

Figure 1: 48 Channel DS3/E3/STS-1E Tributary Line Card

...available at www.pmc-sierra.com/images/20030910-line-card.jpg

Figure 2: 24 Channel DS3/E3/STS-1E Terminal Multiplexer

... available at www.pmc-sierra.com/images/20030910-line-card-2.jpg

Photo available at www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/photos

Technical Glossary available at http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/glossary.html

(C) Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2003. All rights reserved. PMC, PMC-Sierra and Thinking you can build on are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.