Micrel Launches Industry’s Lowest Power, Highest ESD Ethernet PHY

Micrel Launches Industry’s Lowest Power, Highest ESD Ethernet PHY

Sixth Generation PHY Moves Company Into New Ethernet Space For Applications Requiring Very Low Power And High ESD

San Jose, Calif., Oct. 17, 2006 — Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq:MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today announced the KSZ8041NL, the Company’s sixth generation PHY solution. The IC has the industry’s lowest power consumption of just 150mW and the industry’s highest ESD ratings for a Fast Ethernet transceiver at 6KV. This chip is ideal for applications where board real estate is at a premium, where low power is important, or where stringent ESD conditions apply such as in Industrial Ethernet environments. The KSZ8041NL is currently sampling with volume quantities available in the fourth quarter of 2006. For specific pricing, please contact your local Micrel sales office.

This sixth generation IC is part of the KS8001 family and is the latest addition to Micrel’s successful KS8721 line of Fast Ethernet PHYs. The KSZ8041NL, a low cost, low power PHY comes in a small 5mm x 5mm QFN package. In addition, at 6KV ESD, the chip exceeds the ESD requirements for most industrial applications.

“The global Ethernet market continues to grow rapidly and applications deploying Ethernet such as IP-set-top boxes, IP-TVs and Industrial Ethernet continue to expand,” said Grahame Cooney, director, Micrel Ethernet group. “With its low BOM cost, and small foot print, the KSZ8041NL provides another dynamic solution for Ethernet applications.”

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