Industrial High-Performance Networking PowerPC(R)-based Microprocessor Announced by AMCC

Leveraging its long-established networking expertise, AMCC(Nasdaq:AMCC) has announced the PowerPC 405EZ networked industrialprocessor, the first of a family of high-performance networkedindustrial MPUs. The PPC405EZ is available in speeds ranging from 100MHz to 400 MHz for high-performance, low-power consumption (typically0.6 Watts) solutions for small-footprint, system-on-a-chip designs.Key to the performance of the PPC405EZ is its on-board 32 Kbytes ofSRAM, CellularRAM-compatible external bus with arbitration, and 64-biton-chip bus, along with a fully configurable Chameleon Timer(C),IEEE1588-compliant Fast Ethernet, USB and CAN.

Networking has found its way into even the most deeply embeddeddevices in the industrial, scientific, and commercial market segments.Applications that were once the exclusive domain of 8-bit and 16-bitMCUs performing only a few tasks embedded in isolated equipment is nowoften accomplished by tightly networked, intelligent devices withmulti-tasking capabilities. These new systems require higherperforming 32-bit SoCs (system-on-chip) to handle the additional tasksof networked communications, more sophisticated processing algorithms,and more complete operating systems such as Linux, while stillproviding the low cost and extended temperature operation required bythese classes of equipment. Traditional sub-100 MHz 32-bit RISC-basedand DSP-based MCUs, burdened with their slow speed on-chip busses andFlash memory, struggle under this new additional communications andprocessing workload. Even if these traditional Flash-based MCUs can bepushed to higher clock speeds, the on-chip Flash and narrow 32-bit busspeeds do not scale: this usually results in little data and I/Othroughput improvement.

The PPC405EZ's connectivity package consists of one fast Ethernetport with an integrated IEEE1588 controller, three USB 1.1/2.0 FullSpeed compatible ports, with integrated PHYs, and two CAN 2.0b ports.Its industrial package consists of an 8-input 10-bit ADC, a 10-bitDAC, and a "set-and-forget" 15-channel Chameleon Timer(C)/PWMcontroller that significantly offloads CPU and software involvement.The IEEE1588 time base function is fully integrated directly intothese key analog and timer functions to optimize performance andeliminate CPU involvement in capturing, triggering, and time-stampingreal-time events in devices deployed across entire networks.

As the name implies, the PPC405EZ's unique configurable ChameleonTimer(C) enables designers to mimic or construct virtually any type oftimer architecture and produce complex deterministic timing functionswithout resorting to specialized complex scripting or DSP programminglanguage expertise. It offloads the CPU and software from beinginvolved in even the most complex timing and waveform generationalgorithms, thereby freeing the CPU and bus bandwidth for useelsewhere in the customer's application. Examples of these complexreal-time functions include PWM and space vector PWM functions withnon-overlap times, quadrature encoder sensing and control,programmable "deadband" intervals, pulse period measurement, 48-bitinput capture function, 48-bit output compare function, and IEEE1588timestamps.

The PPC405EZ offers a high level of compute processing, analogI/O, and networking diversity in a single SoC device. With its shiftaway from traditional on-chip Flash and external DRAM in favor ofon-chip SRAM and external Flash PSRAMs and CellularRAMs, the PPC405EZenables system designers to break through the 80 MHz Flash MCU"barrier." The PPC405EZ, packaged in 324-pin 23 mm x 23 mm EPGA andavailable in industrial (-40 C to +85 C) and extended (-40 C to +105C) temperature range, is the basis for a highly scalable systemdesign. The PPC405EZ's "roomy" 1 mm ball pitch results in veryinexpensive and reliable printed circuit board layouts that avoidblind vias. Cost-effective 150 to 600 DMIPS-class systems -- rangingfrom a two-chip solution (PPC405EZ+SPI boot device) to Linux-on-a-chipand multi-chip multi-master implementations -- can be built based onthe PPC405EZ SoC fed by a single 33-50 MHz oscillator and consuming aslittle as 0.6 Watts.

Brian Wilkie, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of theIntegrated Communications Processing Business Unit of AMCC, noted:"The PPC405EZ networked industrial processor represents a distinctevolutionary departure from standard microcontrollers. Newer networkedsystems are requiring faster speeds, greater flexibility utilizingbuses, optimized external memories, and more configurability in theirtimers. The PPC405EZ addresses these challenges at a very effectiveprice."

The AMCC PPC405EZ networked industrial processor is expected to beavailable in sample quantities in the fourth quarter of 2006, at asuggested resale list of $15.00 in quantities of 10,000 for the 133MHz industrial temperature version (-40 C to +85 C).

A low-cost, easy-to-use evaluation kit for the PPC405EZ will alsobe available in the fourth quarter to facilitate product evaluationand project development. Through the AMCC Partners Program, AMCC'sPowerPC embedded processors are supported by an ecosystem ofindustry-leading suppliers of operating systems, hardware/softwaredevelopment tools, embedded software, board-level products, and systemdesign services. For full details of the products and servicesavailable through the AMCC Partners Program, or to browse supportavailable for a specific processor, please visit:http://www.amcc.com/Embedded/Partners/.

About AMCC

AMCC (Nasdaq:AMCC) is a global leader in network and embeddedPowerPC processing, optical transport and storage solutions. Sales infiscal 2004 were $254 million. Our products enable the development ofconverged IP-based networks offering high-speed secure data,high-definition video, and high-quality voice for carrier,metropolitan, access, and enterprise applications. AMCC providesnetworking equipment vendors with industry-leading network andcommunications processing, Ethernet, SONET, and switch fabricsolutions. AMCC is also the leading vendor of high-port count SATARAID controllers, enabling low-cost, high-performance, andhigh-capacity storage. AMCC's corporate headquarters are located inSunnyvale, Calif. Sales and engineering offices are located throughoutthe world. For further information regarding AMCC, please visit ourweb site at http://www.amcc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" withinthe meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as"expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "will," orwords of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements, includingstatements relating to the products discussed in this press release,are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the riskthat the products may not be successfully or timely developed,completed, or manufactured, or achieve market acceptance, and risksrelating to general economic conditions, as well as the risks anduncertainties set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K,and in the Company's other SEC filings. As a result of these risks anduncertainties, actual results may differ materially from theseforward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements containedin this press release are made as of the date hereof and AMCC does notassume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whetheras a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

AMCC is a registered trademark of Applied Micro CircuitsCorporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respectiveowners.