MLIN Micro Linear

Micro Linear Introduces FastWave(TM) Embedded Wireless Processor Proprietary Controller First in Family of Flexible Processors and Memory Blocks SAN JOSE, Calif., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micro Linear Corporation (NASDAQ:MLIN), a leading supplier of wireless integrated circuits, today unveiled its proprietary FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor technology and custom-designed FastWave(TM) wireless memory arrays, which have been integrated into several products currently in development at Micro Linear including the ML1905 Advanced PHS Transceiver. The FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor and memories have been carefully designed to satisfy the rigorous performance, cost and schedule demands of high volume digital wireless markets. Micro Linear believes that FastWave(TM) technology represents a significant breakthrough in the digital wireless transceiver market. FastWave(TM) processors should offer greater control and flexibility over radio performance, enable more rapid product development, and allow products to be more readily modified to address emerging standards or new customer requirements. Micro Linear expects that transceivers incorporating Fastwave(TM) technology will be able to enhance radio performance by fine-tuning over 200 distinct control lines. FastWave(TM) will also radically simplify the baseband processor interface and reduce processor overhead by taking on much of the complex timing and housekeeping tasks needed to control the transceiver. Micro Linear reduced development time and simplified prototype evaluation for the ML1905 transceiver by implementing a firmware-based Fastwave(TM) controller instead of the more commonplace hard-wired approach prevalent in competitive products. By integrating FastWave(TM) processor technology in future designs, Micro Linear expects similar reductions in product development time. Micro Linear's FastWave(TM) memories include both read-only memory (ROM) and random-access memory (RAM) that have been optimized for use with the FastWave(TM) processor. Transceivers that incorporate FastWave(TM) memory are designed to be quickly and easily modified to address specific customer requirements by implementing firmware in an external memory device. Once the firmware is debugged, production quantities of custom transceivers may be manufactured generally with only simple metal-mask modifications to the device. "After an exhaustive survey of numerous licensable and free controller cores, we concluded that none could optimally meet the exacting requirements of our advanced digital wireless transceivers," David Walker, Micro Linear's Chief Scientist explained. "We designed the FastWave(TM) wireless processor, memories, and instruction set to be extremely compact, code and cycle efficient and above all, flexible." The FastWave(TM) wireless processor utilizes a Von Neumann architecture, resulting in an extremely compact design that is inherently flexible. Since it is not accumulator based, Micro Linear believes that the FastWave(TM) processor is also faster than competing architectures. Micro Linear engineers developed a unique 32-command instruction set, optimized for code efficiency, for the FastWave(TM). Significant effort was expended to minimize substrate noise generated by the processor, which shares its silicon germanium (SiGe) substrate with high performance radio frequency (RF) and analog signal processing circuitry. "With the introduction of the FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor and memories, we believe that Micro Linear has advanced the state of the art in digital wireless transceivers and is strategically positioned to achieve a strong competitive advantage," stated Tim Richardson, president and CEO of Micro Linear. "We expect to integrate FastWave(TM) technology into many of our future products, which we anticipate will bring about recurring benefits for our expanding customer base, our engineers, and ultimately, for our shareholders." About Micro Linear: Micro Linear Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in wireless integrated circuits. In addition to its PHS products, the Company offers a full line of high data rate ISM-band transceivers used in consumer applications such as cordless phones, wireless speakers and headphones, game controllers, voice headsets and other electronic appliances. Micro Linear offers a uniquely broad line of transceivers, which address the most popular unlicensed bands: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. To simplify system design and decrease time to market, Micro Linear also offers starter kits and reference designs. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Micro Linear's products are available through its authorized representatives and distributors worldwide. More information on the company is available online at http://www.microlinear.com/. Micro Linear Safe Harbor Statement Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this press release, including, but not limited to, the features, performance and benefits of Micro Linear's FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor; the features, performance, and benefits of the ML1905; the timing of production and shipment of the ML1905 chip; future implementation by and benefits to Micro Linear of the FastWave(TM) in future products; the ability of the FastWave(TM) to be modified for derivative or customized products both in prototype and production are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements may be identified by use of terms such as "we believe" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; the level of product orders; new product announcements or introductions by competitors; the market's acceptance of the Company's products including the ML1905; the Company's ability to integrate the FastWave(TM) technology; and other factors that may cause the Company's business or operating results to fluctuate in the future. Additional risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended January 2, 2005. Statements included in this press release are based on information known to the Company as of the date of this release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update information contained in this release. NOTE: Micro Linear(TM) and the Micro Linear logo, and FastWave(TM) are trademarks of Micro Linear Corporation. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. (C) Micro Linear Corporation 2005. DATASOURCE: Micro Linear Corporation CONTACT: Michael Sera, Sr. Director of Marketing of Micro Linear Corporation, +1-408-433-5200, or fax, +1-408-432-7523, or Web site: http://www.microlinear.com/

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