AMD's Quad Fast Ethernet Transceiver Plus (QFEX™ +) and Quad Fast Ethernet Transceiver for Repeaters Plus (QFEXr+) devices are the most highly integrated physical layer solutions for 100BASE-TX switch and repeater applications. The QFEX+ and QFEXr+ devices offer all physical layer functions for four 100BASE-TX ports, including MLT-3 functions on-chip. AMD has developed quad MLT-3 logic that seamlessly attaches to AMD's existing four-port PHY technology for a level of integration never achieved before.

By integrating MLT-3 and physical layer functions into a single chip, the QFEX+ and QFEXr+ devices enable network vendors to reduce the chip count in an eight-port repeater to two chips, as compared with existing solutions that require up to nine discrete components. A similar reduction in chip count is achieved in switch applications. The single-chip solutions also lower overall system cost by enabling simpler designs and requiring less space on the system board.

The QFEX+ and QFEXr+ devices provide Class II repeater support and operate in both 100Mbps Ethernet and 10/100Mbps Ethernet environments. Both devices include media independent interfaces (MII), clock recovery and integrated MLT-3. Processed in AMD's proven CMOS technology, the chips feature low power consumption of approximately 0.5 watts per port.

The QFEX+ chip has an independent MII for each of its four ports, is user-configurable for switch or repeater modes, and is capable of supporting both half- and full-duplex operation. Symbol mode is provided to support existing 5-bit applications, such as PDT/PDR. Optimized for repeater applications, the QFEXr+ device has a shared MII that uses fewer pins and offers customers a significant per-port cost savings. The QFEXr+ device interfaces readily to available repeaters.

In addition to enabling 100BASE-TX operation, the QFEX+ and QFEXr+ devices can be configured to support fiber-based hub designs. The devices can support 100BASE-FX operation on a single port or across all four ports by connecting directly with external fiber optic transceivers.

The QFEX+ and QFEXr+ devices are compatible with IEEE 802.3µ specifications.

Availability
The QFEX+ (Am79C874) and QFEXr+ (Am79C875) devices are currently sampling and are scheduled for production in Q3 1997. The QFEX+ device, in a 160-pin PQFP package, is priced at $32.95 in lots of 10,000. The QFEXr+ device is packaged in a 100-pin PQFP and is priced at $29.95 in lots of 10,000.

Cautionary Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely development of wafer fabrication process technologies, the effect of changing economic conditions, and such risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.