Smart Link's HAMR5600 Series Chipsets are Selected as the V.90 Modem Solution for the AMD EasyNow! Platform Design.

WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1999--

Platform Design Reduces Time to Market for Development

of Next-Generation PC Products

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:AMD) has selected Smart Link Technologies, Inc., a world leader in host-based communications and multimedia solutions for the PC industry, to supply the V.90 modem implementation in the AMD EasyNow!(TM) platform design. The AMD EasyNow! platform design is the PC industry's first computing platform to fully comply with the widely endorsed Easy PC Initiative hardware guidelines, which aim to enhance the overall personal computing experience and expand market acceptance by making personal computers easier to set up, use and upgrade.

"AMD selected Smart Link for our platform design because of its advanced technology and high reliability," said Lloyd Gauthier, Manager of Hardware Engineering at AMD. "Smart Link has an excellent solution to provide a reliable, high-speed Internet connection in a consumer computing platform."

The AMD EasyNow! platform design is an innovative design that enables AMD's partners to deliver fully functional, easy to use PCs in a novel design. This platform is comprised of a mainboard reference design, which includes an Mobile Daughter Card (MDC) modem using Smart Link's HAMR5600(TM) V.90 host modem chipset family, as well as an enclosure design and software products that emphasize an enhanced user experience.

Smart Link's HAMR5600 family is comprised of enhanced V.90 host modem chipsets that are optimized for Audio Modem Riser (AMR) and MDC specifications. This chipset implements V.90 modem, fax and telephony features using a leading edge silicon Data Access Arrangement (DAA). Allowing a single board layout, this complete solution has been certified in most countries.

HAMR5600 family chipsets are designed with Smart Link's soft modem technology, which moves modem, fax and telephony functions previously performed by a DSP to the computer's host processor, offering the lowest cost solution, while providing maximum flexibility through the use of software upgrades.

"We are pleased that Smart Link will be part of this effort and play a pivotal role in enabling the rapid production and distribution of easy to use PCs based on the innovative AMD EasyNow! platform design," said Moty Mebel, CEO and co-founder of Smart Link. "The AMD EasyNow! platform design is an excellent model for consumer friendly personal computers."

The main PC board design is based around the recently developed "FlexATX" motherboard standard form factor that utilizes the new industry standard AMR or MDC form factor for soft modem and audio subsystems implementation. Recently adopted by the PC industry, these form factors are aimed at reducing cost and improving functionality. These common platform standards address the emergence of "fixed configuration" platforms that will become pervasive over the next few months.

About AMD EasyNow!(TM) platform design

The AMD EasyNow! platform design is the blueprint for innovative, full-featured PCs that improve the personal computing experience by simplifying connectors and integrating new technology standards. PCs based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design are easy to set up, easy to use and easy to upgrade. The initial AMD Easy Now! platform features five external connectors based on the popular USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, support between 32MB and 128 MB of PC100 memory, a 4.3GB or larger hard drive, V.90 56kbps modem, Home Phoneline Networking and standard Ethernet capability, speaker/headphone outputs, microphone input, industry standard XGA monitor connector, a 24X speed CD-ROM drive and support the complete range of AMD-K6(R)-2 and AMD-K6-III processors featuring 3DNow!(TM) technology. PCs based on the AMD EasyNow! platform are planned to be available through direct and retail channels this month.

Smart Link, with offices in Israel, USA and Taiwan, is a world leader in host-based communications solutions for the PC industry. The company's unique soft modem technology, porting hardware DSP implementations to host-PC based architectures, enables modem, fax, telephony, and audio solutions at a fraction of existing costs. Smart Link's host based technologies have been deployed in cutting edge products for the emerging AMR, MDC, and USB platforms, as well as legacy PCI and ISA interfaces. For more information, visit Smart Link's website at www.smlink.com.

AMD (NYSE: AMD) is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets. AMD produces processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices, and products for communications and networking applications.

HAMR5600 is a trademark of Smart Link Technologies, Inc.

AMD, the AMD logo, 3DNow!, AMD EasyNow!, K6 and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., and AMD-K6 is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.