High-speed, single-chip switch is first to provide easy upgrade path from 2.5 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) (OC-48) to 10 Gbps (OC-192) networks for Internet infrastructure



Newport Beach, CA, Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) today expanded its offering for the fast-growing digital fiber-optic crosspoint-switching market with a high speed, single-chip solution that is the first to support today s 2.5 Gbps OC-48 networks while providing an easy upgrade path to tomorrow s 10 Gbps OC-192 performance requirements.

Conexant s CXS1610 solution is a differential high-isolation crosspoint switch that is the industry s first to support up to 12.5 Gbps data rates. It uses a cost-efficient 16-port-by-16-port (16x16) matrix density and has the capacity for up to 200 Gbps data throughput. Equipment manufacturers who use the CXS1610 to build fiber-optic communication systems for today s OC-48 networks will have the ability to quickly migrate their equipment to tomorrow s OC-192 performance levels without requiring any new electronic crosspoint-switching integrated circuits.

"The 16x16 CXS1610 joins our recently announced 68x68 solution to create a rapidly growing set of options for manufacturers of large crosspoint switches," said Achim Hill, business director for Conexant s Network Access Division. "Our 68x68 crosspoint switch is the most cost effective, lowest power, highest-density solution for OC-48 network equipment, while our new CXS1610 16x16 switch is the first of its kind to meet both current OC-48 performance requirements and emerging 10 Gbps OC-192 requirements."

Conexant s CXS1610 uses a high-isolation design that adds only 2.5 picoseconds (ps) of single-channel Root Mean Square (RMS) "jitter," which is a critical gauge of how much short-term phase variation a signal experiences because of crosstalk in the circuit. The CXS1610 also features non-blocking switching with a broadcast/multicast capability, and includes both differential and single-ended high-speed inputs and outputs. The inputs are programmed with either 3.3V low voltage Complementary Metal Semiconductor Oxide (CMOS) or Emitted Couple Logic (ECL) levels for added flexibility.

"Conexant is rapidly filling in the full range of end-to-end transmission solutions in the fiber-optic backbone of today s high-speed, multi-service communications networks. Our goal is to build the industry s broadest line of solutions including transceivers, front-end pre-amps, clock-and-data-recovery circuits, laser drivers, and multiplexers and demultiplexers," said Hill.
The CXS1610 is packaged in a 132-pin ceramic quad flatpack (CQFP). The device is manufactured using Conexant s Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Heterojunction Bipolar (HBT) process technology, one of several small-geometry, high-volume options.

The digital crosspoint-switching matrix is the most common architecture for handling terabits of Internet traffic and other high-volume communications requirements. The majority of today s 44.7 megabit-per-second (Mbps) T3 networks are now being upgraded to 2.4 Gbps OC-48 networks. During the coming months, it is expected that a growing percentage of these 2.5 Gbps OC-48 networks will be upgraded to 10 Gbps OC- 192 rates to meet accelerating bandwidth demand for Internet usage and other voice and data communications services. Conexant s growing family of crosspoint switches and other fiber-optic IC components provides key enabling technology for making that important transition.

The CXS1610 switch is priced at $1,790.00 per unit in OEM volumes of 100. It will begin sampling in October and is scheduled to enter volume production in the first quarter of 2000.

This press release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: global and market conditions, including, but not limited to, the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets addressed by the company s and its customers products; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new products; the timing of new product introductions; the availability and extent of utilization of manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; fluctuations in manufacturing yields; product obsolescence; the ability to develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection of the related intellectual property; the successful implementation of the company s diversification strategy and restructuring plan; labor relations of the company, its customers and suppliers; timely completion of Year 2000 modifications by the company and its key suppliers and customers; and the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Other brands and names contained in this release are the property of their respective owners.

With revenues of more than $1.2 billion, Conexant is the world s largest independent company focused exclusively on providing semiconductor products for communications electronics. With more than 30 years of experience in developing communications technology, the company draws upon its expertise in mixed-signal processing to deliver integrated systems and semiconductor products for a broad range of communications applications. These products facilitate communications worldwide through wireline voice and data communications networks, cordless and cellular wireless telephony systems, personal imaging devices and equipment, and emerging cable and wireless broadband communications networks. The company aligns its business into five product platforms: Network Access, Wireless Communications, Digital Infotainment, Personal Imaging, and Personal Computing. Conexant is a member of the Nasdaq-100 Index, which represents the largest and most active stocks listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market across major industry groups.
###