Micrel's New Integrated Green Ethernet Switch-On-A-Chip Solutions Smallest 3-Port Switches In The World

Low Power Consumption And Advanced Power Management Schemes
Accommodate "Green" System Design Requirements

              San Jose, Calif., March 15, 2010 - Micrel, Inc. (Nasdaq:MCRL) an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the KSZ8873/KSZ8863 series.  The devices are highly integrated offering the industry's smallest footprint.  They are designed to enable a new generation of low port count, cost-sensitive and power efficient 10/100Mbps switch systems.  Lower power consumption, advanced power management schemes and sophisticated QoS features (including IPv6 priority classification) make these solutions ideal for IPTV, IP-STB, Voice-over-IP, media converter, automotive and industrial applications.  Volume quantities are available now and samples can be ordered at: http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do.   

"The adoption of Ethernet connectivity in a broad range of consumer, automotive and industrial applications continues to accelerate," noted Dr. J.C. Lin, Micrel's vice president, Ethernet Products.  "Micrel's new devices, featuring improved QoS capabilities, are highly power efficient, making them ideal for green Ethernet switch systems in these burgeoning markets."

The high integration of the KSZ8873 /KSZ8863 series includes an on-chip LDO and an internally generated clock for the RMII interface - all of which reduce system cost and simplify system design.  The interface configurations provided by the KSZ8873/KSZ8863 series, IEEE802.3-compliant transceiver interfaces and MII/RMII interfaces, enable the flexibility to meet the requirements of different applications.  Enhanced QoS features, including traffic prioritization and source address filtering, facilitate implementation of advanced QoS policies in switch systems.  The easy-to-use LinkMD® cable diagnostics support quick resolution of common cabling problems and reduce costly network downtime.  Auto-MDI/MDIX eliminates the need for cross-over cable, thus reducing installation costs.

About Micrel, Inc.
Micrel Inc., is a leading global manufacturer of IC solutions for the worldwide analog, Ethernet and high bandwidth markets.  The Company's products include advanced mixed-signal, analog and power semiconductors; high performance communication, clock management, Ethernet switch and physical layer transceiver ICs.  Company customers include leading manufacturers of enterprise, consumer, industrial, mobile, telecommunications, automotive, and computer products.  Corporation headquarters and state-of-the-art wafer fabrication facilities are located in San Jose, CA, with regional sales and support offices and advanced technology design centers situated throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.  In addition, the Company maintains an extensive network of distributors and reps worldwide.  Web: http://www.micrel.com.

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Note:  LinkMD is a registered trademark of Micrel Inc.

Contact:
Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications
1-408-474-1276
Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com