TranSwitch Corporation Introduces PHAST-12; Industry's First VLSI Device for OC-3/STM-1 to OC-48/STM-16 Transmission Rate to Combine Data Transport with Traditional Telecom Functions.

SHELTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 1999--TranSwitch Corporation (NASDAQ: TXCC), a leader in SONET/SDH technology, has announced the introduction of PHAST-12, a key product in its 'PHAST' family of VLSI devices.

PHAST-12, a Programmable High performance ATM packet and SONET/SDH Terminator, is the industry*s first multi-service device for OC-3, OC-12 and OC-48 telecom and datacom applications. The PHAST-12 device can simultaneously map/demap ATM, packet and TDM traffic over 155MB/sec to 2.4 GB/sec SONET/SDH transport. The PHAST-12 device is a versatile VLSI communications engine which enables systems OEMs to build hybrid transport and/or multi-service platforms for public transport, corporate WAN and Internet applications.

A single PHAST-12 device can terminate up to four independent OC-3/STM-1 signals or one OC-12/STM-4 signal and perform clock recovery, synthesis and serial/parallel functions, as well as SONET/SDH overhead processing compliant with Bellcore, ITU, ETSI, ANSI and ATM Forum industry standards. This device also delineates cells and/or packets on its four STS-3c/STM-1 lines or on one STS-12c/STM-4c payload. Four PHAST-12 devices can be cascaded together to terminate OC-48/STM-16 signals for cells, packet and TDM traffic.

The PHAST-12 is designed to seamlessly connect over TranSwitch's standard Telecom Bus using TranSwitch's path overhead processing device and its mappers. TranSwitch offers a broad line of fully functional mapping VLSI devices at DS1 and DS3 rates along with E1, E3 and E4 rates. TranSwitch's L3M VLSI device is the only single chip device which maps DS3 or E3 signals into SONET/SDH standards. All TranSwitch mappers incorporate advanced desynchronization for optimum systems performance.

The PHAST-12 also integrates cross connect functions to build 1:N protected systems for creating highly reliable public networks. The integration of cross connect and the Automatic Protection Switching (APS) functions further reduce the component count and cost of the systems. "We are very excited about the addition of the PHAST-12 product to our PHAST series of SONET/SDH products. It truly integrates data networking and voice communication functions in a single device and provides flexibility and performance to system vendors. Our systems vendors can now build next generation hybrid transport networking systems for OC-3/STM-1 to OC-48/STM-16," said Jati Vij, Vice President of Systems Engineering at TranSwitch Corporation.

The PHAST-12 device uses IBM's "SMART" architecture and is fabricated by IBM using its 0.35 micron CMOS Blue LogicTM technology. Dr. Seankor Mittra, Manager, Communications Products at IBM stated, "We are pleased to be working with TranSwitch which is a recognized leader in the high-speed communications semiconductor field on a product of such complexity and capability." Bob Pico, Vice President of Business Development at TranSwitch stated, "The use of IBM's technology in the PHAST-12 product is a continuation of a relationship that was begun with IBM in 1990. We are extremely pleased to be working with IBM and look forward to working on future products."

The PHAST-12 VLSI device is available in sample quantities and is priced at $249 in one thousand unit quantities. The PHAST-12 is provided in a ball grid array (BGA) package.

TranSwitch Corporation, headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, is a leading developer and global supplier of innovative high-speed VLSI semiconductor solutions - Connectivity Engines TM - to original equipment manufacturers who serve three fast-growing end-markets: the Worldwide Public Network Infrastructure, the Internet Infrastructure and corporate Wide Area Networks (WANs). Combining its in-depth understanding of applicable global communication standards and its world-class expertise in semiconductor design, TranSwitch Corporation implements communications standards in VLSI solutions which deliver high levels of performance. Committed to providing high quality products and service, TranSwitch is ISO 9001 registered. Detailed information on TranSwitch products, news announcements, seminars, service and support is available on TranSwitch*s home page at the World Wide Web site - http://www.transwitch.com.