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Zarlink First to Support Volume Production of Active Optical Cables With More Than 10,000 Units Shipped to-Date

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 09:00 CST

Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (TSX: ZL)(NYSE: ZL) today announced that it is the first vendor to support volume production of active optical cables for data center and computer cluster interconnect applications. To-date, Zarlink has shipped over 10,000 cables to a range of select customers, including major data center operators as well as InfiniBand and Ethernet switch vendors and system integrators. The ZL60615 ZLynx cable was released to general availability in Q4, CY2007.

At OFC 2008, Zarlink (booth#2742) will be demonstrating the versatile "plug-and-play" capability of its ZL60615 ZLynx cable by using the device to interconnect InfiniBand and Ethernet switches and servers from a number of vendors, including Fulcrum Microsystems, Fujitsu, QLogic, Mellanox Technologies, Myricom and Voltaire, housed in Panduit rack system.

"Zarlink's unique ability to deliver ZLynx cables to meet volume demands positions us as a leader in the growing optical interconnect market," said Dr. Marco Ghisoni, product manager, Zarlink Optical Solutions. "As data center operators and installers consider optical interconnect products, Zarlink's track record of deployments over the past 12 months is market confirmation for our leading technology. ZLynx cables deliver significant weight, flexibility and reach advantages to improve airflow, eliminate layout concerns and reduce installation time and costs versus copper-based solutions."

The ZL60615 ZLynx product is a fully integrated electrical-optical-electrical cable assembly designed for direct connection with industry-standard 4-wide I/O electrical high-speed powered CX-4 and InfiniBand ports. The device is capable of aggregated 20 Gbps transmission in both directions at distances up to 100 meters by combining four ultra-high capacity (5 Gbps/channel) independent fiber transmit and receive channels into a single connector. The ZLynx cable is included in the InfiniBand Trade Association (IBTA) Integrator's List of commercially available products that meet InfiniBand compliance and interoperability requirements.

Availability and roadmap

The ZL60615 ZLynx cable with industry-standard CX-4 connectors is in full production and available in a variety of cable lengths. For more on the ZL60615 ZLynx active optical cable, visit http://products.zarlink.com/product_profiles/ZL60615.htm.

Zarlink is now sampling ZLynx cables with QSFP-to-QSFP terminations supporting InfiniBand DDR and XAUI 10 GigE. Volume production is planned for later this year. For more on Zarlink's optical solutions, visit: http://www.zarlink.com/opticalsolutions/.

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 dependence on revenue generation from our legacy products in order to fund development of our new products; our ability to successfully integrate Legerity and any businesses acquired in the future; any potential undisclosed liabilities associated with the Legerity acquisition; our ability 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.

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

 Contacts: Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. Ed Goffin Media Relations 613-270-7112 edward.goffin@zarlink.com  Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. Mike McGinn Investor Relations 613-270-7210 mike.mcginn@zarlink.com

SOURCE: Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.

Source: MARKET WIRE

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