Zarlink Introduces High Performance Synchronous Ethernet Devices

Single-chip ZL™30130 and ZL30138 devices allow manufacturers to seamlessly integrate Synchronous Ethernet into new and existing equipment
Products already in volume production with Tier 1 equipment manufacturers

OTTAWA, CANADA, April 15, 2008 – Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE/TSX:ZL) today introduced Synchronous Ethernet devices that allow manufacturers to design next-generation equipment or retrofit existing equipment to support the more cost-effective delivery of time-sensitive services over packet networks. Lead customers have already designed Zarlink’s Synchronous Ethernet products into networking equipment, including passive optical network (PON), cellular backhaul and optical transport platforms and routers.

“Carrier-grade Ethernet is now a reality as service providers deliver a complete range of communication applications over higher bandwidth, lower cost IP networks,” said Jeremy Lewis, product line manager with Zarlink’s Timing and Synchronization group. “Zarlink is the first supplier to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of integrated, high-performance and standards-compliant Synchronous Ethernet timing chips. Our Synchronous Ethernet devices are a critical technology allowing service providers to deliver truly reliable voice, video, data and legacy services across the growing packet network.”

Zarlink’s second-generation of Synchronous Ethernet products, the ZL30130 and ZL30138 are highly integrated 1 GbE and 10 GbE network synchronization devices that ease system integration, lower component count and reduce power consumption. The new devices meet Synchronous Ethernet timing requirements, including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T) G.8262 recommendation. The ITU-T G.8262 recommendation defines phase locked-loop (PLL) performance characteristics, including wander, jitter, phase transients, clock bandwidth, frequency accuracy and holdover. Full compliance with this recommendation is essential for service providers as they plan the synchronization of packet networks.

As well as supporting Synchronous Ethernet, the ZL30130 and ZL30138 Timing Card devices meet the requirements of Telcordia GR-1244 Stratum 2/3/3E & GR-253, as well as ITU-T G.812 and G.813. Support for ITU-T G.781 SETS is also offered, meeting SONET/SDH jitter generation requirements up to OC-192/STM-64.

These devices are ideal for both Carrier-Class Ethernet and SONET/SDH network equipment. The ZL30130 device fully meets the jitter-generation requirements for all 1 GbE clocks, including 25 MHz, 50 MHz, 62.5 MHz and 125 MHz. The ZL30138 device provides ultra-low jitter performance ideal for providing 10 GbE clocks up to 156.25 MHz and 312.25 MHz coupled with telecom clock rates up to 622.08 MHz with low jitter for OC-192/STM-64 SONET/SDH applications.

Both products integrate dual digital PLLs to simultaneously support transmit and receive timing paths, allowing the devices to offer rate conversion of the recovered PHY clock at the same time as providing a filtered reference clock for use on the backplane or by the Ethernet PHY. As well, both devices offer loop filter values down to 0.3 mHz, suitable for both SONET/SDH and Synchronous Ethernet applications.

Availability and support

Zarlink’s second-generation Synchronous Ethernet timing chips are now in volume production. For more, visit http://products.zarlink.com/product_profiles/ZL30130 and http://products.zarlink.com/product_profiles/ZL30138.

Complete information on Zarlink’s Synchronous Ethernet timing devices, including complete data sheets and applications notes, is available to qualified customers. To learn how to become a qualified customer, please contact your local sales representative or send an email to TimingandSync@Zarlink.com.

About Zarlink Semiconductor

For over 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and wireless communications. The Company’s success is built on its technology strengths including voice and data networks, optoelectronics and ultra low-power communications. For more information, visit www.zarlink.com.

Shareholders and other individuals wishing to receive, free of charge, copies of the reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Regulatory Authorities, should visit the Company’s web site at www.zarlink.com or contact Investor Relations.

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the following: our dependence on the successful development and market introduction of new products; our ability to successfully integrate Legerity and any businesses acquired in the future; our reliance on key personnel; any potential undisclosed liabilities associated with the Legerity acquisition; the potential adverse effect on critical reference design partners who may object to the Legerity acquisition; our ability to continue to operate profitably and generate positive cash flows in the future; our dependence on our foundry suppliers and third-party subcontractors; order cancellations and deferrals by our customers; and other factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 20-F. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in this filing.

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Zarlink and the Zarlink Semiconductor logo are trademarks of Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.

For further information:

Ed Goffin
Media Relations
613 270-7112
edward.goffin@zarlink.com

Mike McGinn
Investor Relations
613 270-7210
mike.mcginn@zarlink.com

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