True Circuits PLL Critical to Parama Networks' new ADM-on-a-Chip

January 14, 2004 - LOS ALTOS, California - True Circuits, Inc. (TCI), a leading provider of analog and mixed-signal intellectual property (IP) for the semiconductor, systems and electronics industries, today announced that Parama Networks Inc. (Santa Clara, California) has implemented a True Circuits clock generator PLL as the primary clocking macro in its new ADM-on-a-Chip, fabricated in UMC's 130nm process technology. This chip offers system designers, for the first time on a single piece of silicon, all of the functions necessary to build add-drop multiplexers (ADMs) and other next generation network equipment. The chip was announced on Monday, January 5, 2004. (View the press release at www.paramanet.com/news/pr_jan05.shtm.)

"We selected a PLL from True Circuits because of the company's PLL expertise and reputation for supplying proven PLL hard macros," remarked Kent Goodin, Vice President, VLSI Engineering, Parama Networks. "The True Circuits 1.2GHz clock generator PLL is the core component that allows the multi-rate SONET/SDH ports on the ADM-on-a-Chip to operate within the required industry jitter specifications across all supported rates."

"Our goal is to ensure our customers can easily meet their performance and timing objectives by utilizing our programmable, low-jitter hard macros," remarked Dr. John G. Maneatis, President of True Circuits. "These design characteristics are particularly important for the timing and performance requirements of ASICs targeting high-speed telecommunication applications like Parama's OC-192 and OC-768 ADMs."

About Parama Networks and the ADM-on-a-Chip©
Parama Networks is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in system-on-a-chip solutions for next generation data aware SONET and SDH systems. The ADM-on-a-Chip features the highest level of integration to date and an elegant architecture that simplifies the equipment design process. As a result, network equipment vendors can upgrade existing systems or build entirely new systems that cost one-third the price of and consume one-fifth the power of currently available systems. Furthermore, new equipment based on the ADM-on-a-Chip solution can be developed in one-fifth the time, again compared to currently available products, thus allowing quick time to market and improved return on investment. For more information about Parama, visit www.paramanet.com.

About True Circuits PLLs and DLLs
True Circuits offers a complete family of standardized clock generator, deskew, low-bandwidth and spread-spectrum PLLs and DDR DLLs that spans nearly all performance points and features typically requested by ASIC designers. These high-quality, low-jitter, silicon proven hard macros are available for immediate delivery in a range of frequencies, multiplication factors and functions in 0.25 to 0.09 micron CMOS processes from the world's leading silicon fabrication vendors. For more information about True Circuits products, visit www.truecircuits.com/tci_technology.html.

About True Circuits
True Circuits develops and markets a broad range of PLLs, DLLs and other mixed-signal hard macros for ICs for the semiconductor, systems and electronics industries. TCI's robust state-of-the-art circuits, methodical and proven design strategy and its close association with the world's leading silicon fabrication vendors, allow the company to quickly and reliably create new and innovative designs in a variety of advanced process technologies.

True Circuits is headquartered at 4962 El Camino Real, Suite 206, Los Altos, California 94022 and can be found on the web at www.truecircuits.com. Product inquiries can be made by calling the company directly at (650) 691-2500 or via e-mail at sales@truecircuits.com.