Exar Announces Next Generation Single Chip T1-E1-J1 Framer and LIU Combination Device Family

Fremont, California, August 11, 2003 - Exar Corporation (Nasdaq: EXAR), a leading provider of high-performance, mixed-signal silicon solutions for the worldwide communications infrastructure announced a next generation silicon solution incorporating a Line Interface Unit (LIU) and framer in one innovative combination device family. The XRT86L38, the first in a family of solutions, is an eight-channel (octal) device targeted at telecommunications equipment including digital access and cross connect systems, wireless base stations, and Channel Service Units (CSUs) among others. This family of flexible and integrated LIU and framer devices allows network providers to maximize their return from the existing network infrastructure. Additional single and multi-channel solutions will be announced later during the year.

"The XRT86L38 demonstrates Exar's continuing commitment to leverage our world-class engineering resources to give customers a wide array of design options and system functionality" said Dr. Roubik Gregorian, chief operating officer. " The XRT86L38, combining both the physical layer and access control functions into one silicon solution also incorporates our market-proven R³ Technology. It is first in a series, and confirms Exar's long-term product strategy of taking industry-tested functional device elements (offered in initial products T1/E1/J1 LIUs, framers etc.), capitalizing on their subsequent multi-channel versions, and then combining their capabilities into a highly integrated device."

R³ Technology Overview
Exar's R³ Technology ™ (Reconfigurable, Relayless Redundancy) is a breakthrough capability that delivers key benefits to customers designing T1/E1/J1 interface cards. The devices are Reconfigurable with integrated termination supporting all common T1/E1/J1 line impedances enabling customers to build one board with a single bill-of-materials. (Conventional approaches require fixed settings - T1, or E1, or J1, forcing customers to estimate both market needs, and choose device settings before manufacturing.) This dictates that customers stockpile inventory of all configurations. Also, the series employs Relayless Redundancy eliminating the need for external relays for 1:1 and 1+1 applications by establishing a back-up channel that can be brought on-line in the event of failure. The first application of this technology was multi-channel long-haul, short-haul (1,4, and 8-channel) Line Interface Units (LIUs) that have already gained traction with key customers in the targeted markets of Multi-Service Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs), access devices, media gateways, routers, and frame relay access devices.

Product Details
The device is an eight-channel physical-layer processor incorporating a T1/E1 (1.544 Mbit/s or 2.048 Mbt/s) framer and a LIU. Each of the eight framers has its own framing synchronizer and transmit-receive slip buffers. The slip buffers can be independently enabled or disabled as required. Each framer also contains a transmit and overhead data input port, which permits data line terminal equipment direct access to the out-bound T1/E1/J1 frames. Also, a receive overhead output data port permits data link terminal equipment access to the data link bits of the inbound T1/E1/J1 frames. The device has a flexible microprocessor interface for easy configuration, control, and status monitoring. Furthermore, the device supports Channel Associated Signaling (CAS), Common Channel Signaling (CCS), supports ISDN primary Rate Interface (ISDN PRI) signaling and has an integrated HDLC controller with two 96-byte transmit, and two 96-byte receive HDLC buffers. In addition, the XRT86L38 includes a PRBS, QRSS and network loop code generator/receiver. It also detects OOF, LOF, LOS errors and COFA conditions.

Standards Compliance
The series is compliant with all the leading T1/E1/J1 specifications including ANSI T1/E1.107-1998, ANSI T1/E1. 403-1995, ANSI T1/E1. 231-1993, ANSI T1/E1. 408-1990, AT&T TR 62411 (12-90) TR540616, and ITU G-703, G. 704. G. 706, and G. 733. Also, AT&T Pub. 43801, and ETS 300 011, 300 233, JT G. 703, JT G.704, JT G.706, I. 431. "These functional elements (LIU and framer) are based on our proven discrete versions," said Hugh Wright, director of marketing. "Using this device, and subsequent family members, customers can bring their designs to market faster."

Prices, Packages and Availability
Samples of the XRT86L38 are available August 2003 in a 420 TBGA package. At 1k volumes the XRT86L38 is $70.00. The device is a 3.3V, 5V input tolerant device.

About Exar
Exar Corporation (NASDAQ: EXAR) designs, develops and markets high-performance, analog and mixed-signal silicon solutions for the worldwide communications infrastructure. Leveraging its industry-proven analog design expertise, system-level knowledge and standard CMOS process technologies, Exar provides OEMs innovative, highly integrated ICs that facilitate the transport and aggregation of signals in access, metro and wide area networks. The Company's physical layer silicon solutions address transmission standards such as T/E carrier, ATM and SONET. Additionally, Exar offers ICs for both the serial communications and the video and imaging markets. The Company is based in Fremont, CA, had fiscal 2003 revenues of $67 million, and employs approximately 265 people worldwide. For more information about Exar, visit www.exar.com.