Avalon Granted Patent for Innovative Skew-correcting Apparatus

Mount Pearl, NL - September 1, 2010 -- Avalon Microelectronics, a leading developer of IP for optical transport networks (OTN), is pleased to announce that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued US Pat. No. 7,760,836 to Avalon for the development of a skew-correcting apparatus. This invention will be used in chip-to-chip high speed data communication systems where skew compensation is required.

The invention provides a skew (delay) detection and skew correction apparatus for a high-speed data communications system with multiple data lanes. In FPGAs, skew can occur between transmission lanes upon startup, reset, or during normal operation. The invention ensures that the skew between all lanes falls within a certain tolerance, enabling the FPGA to adhere to the SFI-5 standard. Most FPGAs will be deficient without the use of this product, so Avalon is extremely pleased to have this patent.

"Avalon makes securing patent protection for its IP a high priority. As a developer of intangible products like IP applications, it is imperative for Avalon to protect its innovations and to defend against infringement upon those innovations for the protection of our customers as well as the company," said Diane Corrigan, Avalon's Director of Operations and Business Development.

Avalon offers congratulations to inventors Wally Haas, Mutema Pittman, and Chuck Rumbolt. With multiple patent applications pending at the USPTO, Avalon expects to see its portfolio of IP assets to grow tremendously in the future.

About Avalon Microelectronics:

Avalon Microelectronics is a recognized leader in the development and delivery of IP for OTN, SONET/SDH and Ethernet applications to Telecom Equipment Manufacturers. Avalon provides silicon-proven, customized IP to accelerate Time-to-Market of Next-Generation Optical Networks. For more information about Avalon Microelectronics' products and applications, please visit us at www.avalonmicro.ca or call 1(709) 747-4400.