RF Micro Devices Introduces Quad-channel Analog Integrated Circuits for Multi-channel Fiber Optic Datacom Transceivers for 10 Gbps Applications.

Business Editors, High Tech Writers

Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2002

Low Power, High-Performance Devices Designed

For Applications Requiring Tight Performance Criteria

(Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition, Booth #3947)- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: RFMD), a leading provider of proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications applications, announced today the introduction of quad-channel analog integrated circuits (ICs) for use in multi-channel fiber optic datacom transceivers up to 3.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) per channel.

These ICs complement the Company's serial analog ICs, announced on February 25, 2002.

Fred Schindler, director of optical communications products for RF Micro Devices, said, "As data traffic on enterprise networks continues to grow, transceiver manufacturers recognize that parallel optic implementations are the lowest cost solutions to date. As a result, these manufacturers are designing and building innovative multi-channel fiber optic transceivers that incorporate a large number of electronic and optical functions into ever-shrinking transceiver modules.

"As this is occurring, industry committees, such as IEEE, Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) and the National Committee for Information Technology Standards (NCITS), are defining a number of optical interfaces through 10 Gigabits, one of which includes quad-channel parallel optics. Accordingly, we believe our quad-channel analog ICs will help transceiver manufacturers design more efficient, cost-effective multi-channel transceiver products."

RFMD's silicon germanium ICs, which include receivers, limiting amplifiers and laser drivers, are currently being sampled to manufacturers of Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Wide Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WWDM) multi-channel transceivers.

The Company anticipates primary customer interest in its quad-channel ICs from among manufacturers of multi-channel transceivers targeting short-haul markets, such as Local Area Networks (LANs), Storage Area Networks (SANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Within these markets multi-channel optical transceivers are used in end applications, such as routers, switches and high-speed optical backplanes.

The complete family of quad-channel analog ICs is comprised of the following devices:

-- The RF3754 and RF3764 are quad-channel integrated laser drivers with an
automatic power control loop and failure alarm.

-- The RF3754 is optimized for Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser-(VCSEL)
based applications. It requires 3.3V at 20mA quiescent current/channel for 66mW
quiescent power dissipation. Each channel of the RF3754 can supply a laser bias
current in the range of 2-25mA, and its laser modulation current range is
1-18mA.

-- The RF3764 is optimized for Fabry-Perot and distributed feedback edge
emitting laser applications. It requires 3.3V at 25mA per channel quiescent
current for 83mW quiescent power. Each channel of the RF3764 can supply laser
bias current in the range of 2-50mA, and its laser modulation current range is
3-50mA.

-20 dBm (20uA ppk) to overload at +0 dBm (2000uA ppk) optical

power at 1.3um optical wavelength. The output is matched to 50

ohms and 500mV ppk differential output is maintained

regardless of input photocurrent. The loss of signal alarm

threshold is set on-chip. The RF3744 is initially offered in

bare die configuration and is priced at $18.28 in quantities

of 10,000 units. Bare die and fully assembled evaluation

boards will be ready for shipment at the end of May 2002.

-- The RF3754 and RF3764 are quad-channel integrated laser drivers with an
automatic power control loop and failure alarm.

-- The RF3754 is optimized for Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser-(VCSEL)
based applications. It requires 3.3V at 20mA quiescent current/channel for 66mW
quiescent power dissipation. Each channel of the RF3754 can supply a laser bias
current in the range of 2-25mA, and its laser modulation current range is
1-18mA.

-- The RF3764 is optimized for Fabry-Perot and distributed feedback edge
emitting laser applications. It requires 3.3V at 25mA per channel quiescent
current for 83mW quiescent power. Each channel of the RF3764 can supply laser
bias current in the range of 2-50mA, and its laser modulation current range is
3-50mA.

The RF3754 and RF3764 offer on-chip input matching to establish 50 ohms input (100 ohm differential) and a single-ended output. Each channel can be independently controlled with an external resistor to program the modulation current and bias current values. An external photo-diode (one per channel) enables the automatic power control loop to maintain constant average optical output power over temperature and laser-aging variations. Both devices feature alarm functionality to indicate the failure of a laser or photo-diode. The transmit disable block enables the user to turn off both bias and modulation currents to eliminate light output from the laser. The RF3754 and RF3764 are offered as bare die and are priced at $24.98 in quantities of 10,000 units. Components and fully assembled evaluation boards will be ready for shipment in April 2002.

RF Micro Devices, Inc., an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer, designs, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) primarily for wireless communications products and applications such as cellular and PCS phones, base stations, wireless LANs, and cable television modems. The Company offers a broad array of products - including amplifiers, mixers, modulators/demodulators, and single-chip receivers, transmitters and transceivers - representing a substantial majority of the RFICs required in wireless subscriber equipment. The Company's strategy is to focus on wireless markets by offering a broad range of standard and custom-designed RFICs in order to position itself as a "one-stop" solution for its customers' RFIC needs. RF Micro Devices, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol RFMD. Please visit our web site at http://www.rfmd.com for more information about RF Micro Devices or the new RF3734, RF3744, RF3754 and RF3764. Product photography is available by contacting Angie Finney at 336.664.1233, extension 6652 or by downloading it from the product photography website at: http://www.rfmd.com/promo_subpage_frameset.asp?loc=product_photography.

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the company's plans, objectives and estimates. The company's business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including fluctuations in operating results and market growth rates, wafer fabrication risks, management of growth and production yield variability. These and other risks, which are described in the company's annual report and other filings with the SEC, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these statements.

RF MICRO DEVICES(R) and RFMD(R) are trademarks of RFMD, LLC.