FREMONT, Calif. -- March 29, 1999 -- Enabling telecommunications equipment manufacturers to design next-generation products with lower voltage, lower power, higher port density components, Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) today introduced the industry's smallest dual T1/E1 Line Interface Unit (LIU). With a package area-per-port of only 68 square millimeters, the new Crystal® LIU (CS61584A) requires far less board space (up to 45 percent less) than other full-feature LIU chips on the market, including quad devices. Device pin-out design also simplifies board layout and interconnect task, further reducing board space per LIU compared to other high- density solutions.

Applications for the CS61584A include PCM (pulse code modulation)/voice channel banks; data channel banks/concentrators; T1/E1 multiplexers; digital access and cross connect systems (DACS); computer-to-PBX interfaces; SONET/SDH (synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy) multiplexers.

Compact yet feature-rich, the CS61584A delivers a compelling set of performance, flexibility and cost-reduction benefits. It supports 3.3V as well as 5V operation, thus providing a migration path for equipment makers as the industry transitions to lower voltage devices. Currently the only 3.3V device that meets the stringent European CTR-12 and ETSI 300 011 jitter attenuation specifications, the new entry also complies with all relevant U.S. specifications such as AT&T's 62411. This enhanced performance of the jitter attenuator is combined with features not typically found on other high density LIUs such as independent transmitter tri-state capability, excessive zeros counter, and automatic transmit-all-ones on loss of signal.

"Our new compact LIU will challenge competitors in the race to provide fully featured, high density, chip solutions for an ever-shrinking footprint in next-generation telecommunications equipment," said Keith Cheney, director of Cirrus Logic's Telecom Business Unit. "With this new mixed-signal solution, we have strengthened our position to capitalize on the rapid growth of the telecommunications infrastructure both in the US and worldwide."

Enhanced Features Maximize Performance

The low-voltage CS61584A specifies a new level of LIU density and performance without sacrificing features that improve system diagnostics and reduce OEM design and manufacturing costs. Telecommunication OEMs that design equipment with the new CS61584A can count on the following high-value-added features.

• JTAG/boundary-scan (IEEE 1149.1) test port that simplifies the verification of chip- to-chip interconnect and digital path integrity thus improving overall system diagnostics while reducing manufacturing test costs.
  
  
• Predefined T1/E1 pulse shapes, plus support of a user-programmable transmit pulse shapes for designs that incorporate non-standard cables, transformers or protection circuitry (saves the time and cost of ‘tweaking' the analog design to achieve T1/E1 pulse shape compliance).
  
  
• Patented technique that eliminates need for external load-matching resistors required for matching the impedance of the transmitter to the T1/E1 line (saves board space and cost associated with external discrete resistors while eliminating the power consumed by these components… per-channel power down and tri-state capabilities provide further reductions in power consumption).

Pricing/Packaging/Availability

The CS61584A is available in 3.3V and 5V versions that are packaged in either a 64 Pin TQFP or 68 PLCC. Sample and production quantities are available now, and the device is priced at $19.00 per unit in quantities of 1000 parts.

Cirrus Logic Inc. Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of precision linear circuits and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions. The company's products, sold under its own name and the Crystal product brand, enable system-level applications in mass storage, audio and precision data conversion. Additional information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

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Note to editors: Cirrus Logic and Crystal are registered trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.