PMC-Sierra Introduces S/UNI-12xJET Device For Deployment of Advanced Highly Scalable Carrier Data Services.

Business/High Tech Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2002

PM5383 S/UNI-12xJET Provides Physical Layer Solution

for Flexible High-Bandwidth DS3/E3 Services

Including Secure Private Lease Lines and Videoconferencing

PMC-Sierra (Nasdaq:PMCS) today introduced the PM5383 0S/UNI(R)-12xJET, a complete physical layer solution for the aggregation, transport and termination of up to 12-channels of DS3/E3 and J2 protocols.

The S/UNI-12xJET replaces up to four discrete devices, enabling cost-effective DS3 services to be deployed in both new and existing platforms. DS3/E3 is one of the most widely used physical interfaces to connect metropolitan area network equipment, including Add/Drop Multiplexers (ADMs), Multi Service Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs) and edge aggregation routers and switches (see Figure 1).

S/UNI-12xJET Allows Consolidation of Routers in the Metro

The S/UNI-12xJET is the industry's only single-chip solution for terminating packet/cell traffic for a single OC-12 down to the DS3/E3 level. Densely channelized OC-12 (CHOC-12) line cards, which are enabled by the S/UNI-12xJET, are becoming enormously popular at the edge of networks as carriers backhaul all their traffic to an access Point-of-Presence (POP) where they will terminate the customer traffic in an edge router or multi service switch before firing it out onto the Internet SONET/SDH backbones. This results in a reduction in the number of routers required in the metro, providing equipment savings as well as reducing ongoing operating expenditures. In addition, when combined with PMC-Sierra's TEMUX(TM) and FREEDM(TM) product families, the S/UNI-12xJET can perform deeper channelization, enabling OEMs to build one line card that can terminate OC-12c POS/ATM down to any legal mix of OC-3c POS/ATM, DS3/E3 bit-HDLC/ATM and DS1/DS0 HDLC (see Figure 2).

"DS3/E3 continues to be a highly in-demand physical interface technology offering a migration path from existing T1/E1 services," said Jeremey Donovan, vice president and chief analyst, Gartner Dataquest.

Broad Solution Upgrades for T1/E1

As enterprise demand for higher bandwidth services continues to grow, sub-rate DS3 and DS3 continue to gain momentum as a replacement for T1/E1 leased line services. The introduction of the S/UNI-12xJET complements PMC-Sierra's recent announcement of the ARROW-2xGE(TM) which utilizes emerging Virtual Concatenation (VC) and Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) standards to efficiently map Gigabit Ethernet frames into SONET/SDH transport networks. With devices such as these, PMC-Sierra provides system vendors with the flexibility to support multiple architecture options that can be used to upgrade T1/E1. These options include transporting Gigabit Ethernet directly over SONET/SDH-based for low cost, reliable and scalable data services or using DS3/E3 to provide high Quality of Service (QoS) required for supporting simultaneous Internet access, corporate wide area networking as well as delay sensitive applications such as voice and videoconferencing.

"PMC-Sierra's existing DS3 solutions have captured a significant portion of the total DS3 router and multi service switch ports market. The S/UNI-12xJET allows our customers to leverage our strong track record of success to deliver new, multi service platforms," said Steve Perna, vice president and general manager of PMC-Sierra's Optical Networking Division. "The S/UNI-12xJET enhances our broad portfolio of Metro Optical Networking solutions by supporting increased density for existing technologies such as T1 via Multi-Link PPP/FR, Sub-rate DS3, and DS3. In addition, it complements our emerging Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH Metro solutions such as the ARROW-2xGE."

Multi Mode Operation Allows Single SONET and SDH Transport Line Card

The S/UNI-12xJET integrates 12 DS3/E3 mappers/framers, with corresponding desynchronizers and a STS-12 SONET/SDH framer, to support DS3/E3 mapping into SONET/SDH on a channel-by-channel basis. This allows ADMs and MSPPs to deploy a single line card that supports the simultaneous mapping and transport of both DS3 and E3, which is significant for European and Asian carriers as their networks have a mix of DS3 and E3 that must be transported across their SDH infrastructure. A single multi-mode card greatly simplifies system provisioning and maintenance resulting in reduced capital and operational expenses. The S/UNI-12xJET provides a unique feature of combining both DS3/E3 transport and data termination functions in a single device, which allow MSPP vendors to provide converged multi service cards.

Adding to the Industry's Broadest POS-PHY Level 3 (OC-48) Family

The S/UNI-12xJET can be used in both next generation equipment as well as line card upgrades to in-field systems. The device incorporates flexible system interfaces to support cell/packet termination into an industry standard system bus POS-PHY Level 2 (PL2), POS-PHY Level 3 (PL3), UTOPIA Level 3 (UL2), or UTOPIA Level 2 (UL2). With the standard POS-PHY Level 3 system interface, the S/UNI-12xJET adds DS3/E3 and J2 support to the industry's broadest PL3 PHY family. PMC-Sierra's PL3 family is based on a common system interface to deliver a wide range of line interfaces including single channel OC-48, high-density dual-port Gigabit Ethernet, OC-12, OC-3, DS3, E3, J2 as well as channelized ATM, POS and DS3 (see Figure 3). For more information about PMC-Sierra's POS-PHY Level 3 family of devices and partner solutions, go to http://www.pmc-sierra.com/posphylevel3.

Pricing, Availability and Customer Support

The PM5383 S/UNI-12xJET is sampling now. The device is priced at $474 in 1KU. The S/UNI-12xJET is packaged in a 35 x 35 square mm, 580 pin TSBGA, rated for industrial temperature range operation (-40 to +85 degrees C) and fabricated using low-power, 0.18 micron CMOS process. The S/UNI-12xJET is extremely power efficient at less than 0.2 watts/port which offers up to a 50% power savings over competing solutions that require discrete aggregation, transport and termination devices. The device is also software compatible with PMC-Sierra's existing quad channel DS3/E3 ATM PHY device, the PM7346 S/UNI-QJET(TM), enabling a smooth upgrade path for the large base of existing designs. A comprehensive support package including datasheets, software drivers, user manual, hardware reference designs, and device models are currently available. Please contact the applications support for more information at [e-mail] or visit PMC-Sierra's web site at http://www.pmc-sierra.com.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra is accelerating the broadband revolution. PMC-Sierra is a leading provider of high speed broadband communications semiconductors and MIPS-based processors for Enterprise, Access, Metro Optical Transport, and Wireless network equipment that makes up the backbone of the Internet. 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. As co-founder of the SATURN(R) Development Group, PMC-Sierra works with over 30 other member companies to define and develop interoperable, standard-compliant solutions for high speed networking applications.

PMC-Sierra is included in the S&P 500 Index which consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation and in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. PMC-Sierra is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the PMCS symbol. For more information about PMC-Sierra, visit http://www.pmc-sierra.com.

Attachments Figure 1: Next Generation ILEC DS3 Service Model

available at

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pdf/suni_12xjet_fig1.pdf Figure 2: Upgrading the Network to be more Efficient with

Channelized OC-12 Line Cards

available at

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pdf/suni_12xjet_fig2.pdf Figure 3: Expanding PMC-Sierra's POS-PHY Level 3 Line Cards

available at

http://www.pmc-sierra.com/pressRoom/pdf/suni_12xjet_fig3.pdf Photo

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

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

(c)Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2002. All rights reserved. SATURN(R)and SUNI(R)is a registered trademark of PMC-Sierra, Inc. Sierra's ARROW-2xGE(TM), FREEDM(TM), PMC-Sierra(TM), S/UNI-QJET(TM), and TEMUX(TM)are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.