TranSwitch(R) Corporation, a leading provider of high-speed Broadband, Switching, and Transport semiconductor solutions for voice, data and video communications, today announced that it has shipped certified samples of EtherMap(R)-12 to lead customers for development and system testing. With the release of EtherMap-12, TranSwitch is the semiconductor vendor with the most comprehensive portfolio of optimized Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH (EoS) solutions for OC-3, OC-12 and OC-48, the primary optical networking standards for access and metro.

EtherMap-12 is a highly integrated device with four times the traffic-handling capacity of EtherMap-3. TranSwitch scaled the EtherMap-3 design from OC-3 to OC-12 bandwidth by using state-of-the-art 0.13 micron CMOS technology. The release of EtherMap-12 brings several advantages to TranSwitch customers:

-- The basic mechanisms and architecture for Virtual Concatenation (VCAT), Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS), GFP, etc., are nearly identical to those in the EtherMap-3. The device therefore has benefited from years of testing of the EtherMap-3 by numerous customer labs and in carrier field trials worldwide. As a result, equipment design engineers are working with a proven entity.

-- EtherMap-12 incorporates all the refinements and additional features of the EtherMap-3 Pt, many based on customer requests. Also like EtherMap-3 Pt, EtherMap-12 has the lowest latency of any Ethernet mapper product available today.

-- Equipment design engineers, who are familiar with the EtherMap-3, will find it easy to design with EtherMap-12. TranSwitch provides a comprehensive device driver with common API functions between EtherMap-12 and EtherMap-3. This translates into lower development costs and faster time-to-market for customers.

EtherMap-12 incorporates additional unique capabilities beyond EtherMap-3 Pt:

-- EtherMap-12's robust high and low order path processing with internal cross connect provides powerful protection, performance monitoring, loop-back and diagnostic capabilities. These are valuable features for carrier-class applications. It also provides flexibility in data path grooming. For instance, it enables "drop and continue" mode which is necessary for multi-cast video distribution.

-- Its Virtual Port Mode (VPM), developed in collaboration with a major Tier-1 customer, is a unique Layer 2 feature used in conjunction with external Ethernet switches or NPUs allowing tag or label-based forwarding of Ethernet frames toward specific SONET/SDH virtual concatenation groups (VCGs) for enhanced traffic management. Each Ethernet session can be individually flow-controlled or back-pressured to the switch/NPU so that the Layer 2 rate limiting aspects can be carried forward and exercised in the EtherMap-12.

"TranSwitch's VPM is user-definable and very powerful in terms of using various header fields for differentiation and forwarding of frames," said Robert Schwaber, product marketing manager for TranSwitch. "It is a programmable approach that can use VLAN tags, MPLS labels or any other fields in the packet header for selective prioritization and routing of traffic; this gives carriers the flexibility to deliver differentiated services based on class of service (CoS)."

Since EtherMap-12's debut at Supercomm, TranSwitch has been collaborating closely with a number of current EtherMap-3 customers to assist in their OC-12 migration efforts by providing board design optimization and application support for their software system integration efforts.

EtherMap-12 is furnished with a comprehensive API-based device driver, BSDL file, evaluation kit, IBIS model, and extensive documentation. The device is packaged in a 580-pin 27mm x 27mm Ball Grid Array (PBGA) and is available for general sampling. Pricing is under $285/unit for sample quantities.

About TranSwitch

TranSwitch Corporation designs, develops and markets innovative semiconductors that provide core functionality and complete solutions for voice, data and video communications network equipment. As a leading supplier to telecom, datacom, cable television and wireless markets, TranSwitch customers include the major OEMs that serve the worldwide public network, the Internet, and corporate Wide Area Networks (WANs). TranSwitch chips for Broadband, Transport and Switching are inherently flexible, many incorporating embedded programmable microcontrollers to rapidly meet customers' new requirements or evolving network standards by modifying a function via software instruction. TranSwitch implements global communications standards in its VLSI solutions and is committed to providing high-quality products and services. TranSwitch, Shelton, CT, is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company. For more information, visit www.transwitch.com.

Forward-looking statements in this release, including statements regarding management's expectations for future financial results and the markets for TranSwitch's products, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements regarding TranSwitch, its operations and its financial results involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation risks of downturns in economic conditions generally and in the telecommunications and data communications markets and the semiconductor industry specifically; risks in product development and market acceptance of and demand for TranSwitch's products and products developed by TranSwitch's customers; risks relating to TranSwitch's indebtedness; risks of failing to attract and retain key managerial and technical personnel; risks associated with foreign sales and high customer concentration; risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures; risks associated with investing in new businesses; risks of dependence on third-party VLSI fabrication facilities; risks related to intellectual property rights and litigation; risks in technology development and commercialization; and other risks detailed in TranSwitch's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

TranSwitch and EtherMap are registered trademarks of TranSwitch Corporation.