OTTAWA -- Zarlink Semiconductor (NYSE/TSX:ZL) today announced that it has partnered with Embedded Planet to develop a pseudowire module that reduces the design time and complexity of networking equipment supporting TDM services over packet-based networks. The pseudowire module targets low-density applications requiring TDM-over-packet capability, including customer premise routers, integrated access devices, PON (Passive Optical Network) equipment, and broadband DLCs (digital loop carriers).

Pseudowires are a key technology that allows service- providers to replace today’s circuit-based networks with one converged packet-based infrastructure delivering the complete range of legacy and emerging services. The EP50120M CESOP PMC pseudowire module, which combines Zarlink’s ZL™50120 CESoP (circuit emulation services-over-packet) technology with PMC-Sierra’s PM4354 COMET QUAD T1/E1 transceiver and Embedded Planet’s years of module expertise, will be displayed in PMC-Sierra’s booth (#2008) at the ITU Telecom World 2006 Asiaworld-Expo in Hong Kong, December 4-8, 2006.

“Service providers need to seamlessly support legacy services even as they migrate to next-generation networks,” said Bruce Ernhofer, product manager, Packet Processing, Zarlink Semiconductor. “The EP50120M module is a production-ready hardware solution integrating key convergence technologies and expertise from Zarlink, Embedded Planet and PMC-Sierra to deliver T1/E1 service over IP, Ethernet and MPLS networks while supporting a range of service classes to ensure priority for time-critical traffic.”

Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE/Toronto: ZL)