MLIN Micro Linear

Micro Linear Samples Advanced PHS Transceiver ML1900 Transceiver Offers Higher Integration and Lower Bill of Materials SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micro Linear Corporation (NASDAQ:MLIN) formally announced today that it has commenced sampling of their ML1900 single chip Personal Handyphone System (PHS) transceiver, the first in an expected family of advanced PHS transceivers. Samples are being provided to several PHS handset original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), some of which participated in defining the device. The ML1900 is expected to significantly reduce both the component count and Bill of Materials (BoM) cost of today's PHS handsets. The ML1900 includes receiver, transmitter, and synthesizer functionality as well as an integrated 21dBm power amplifier. The advanced low-IF receiver architecture provides high performance without external filters. With the ML1900, Micro Linear's experience in Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process technology has been applied and adapted to satisfy current and future PHS system requirements in a highly integrated, low cost integrated circuit. Though PHS systems are being deployed in numerous countries, the PHS market has been particularly attractive in China, where the PHS subscriber base reached 50 million by May of 2004 and has been growing at 2-3 million per month, according to data published by the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry (MII). Based on a review of market data, the Company estimates that more than 25 million PHS handsets were sold in 2003, and we expect that this number will increase in 2004. The ML1900 is expected to contribute to the growth of the PHS market by providing handset OEMs with a more integrated, lower cost solution which allows them to offer smaller, more affordable phones. "We believe entering the PHS marketplace is a natural progression for Micro Linear, given our successful history of satisfying customer needs in the high volume, cost sensitive DCT market. With the ML1900, Micro Linear continues to develop and release complex RF integrated circuits in record time. Once the ML1900 achieves customer acceptance, we expect production volumes to ramp quickly while meeting the exacting cost and quality demands of our lead customers," commented Tim Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Micro Linear. In addition to Micro Linear's new PHS products, the company offers a full line of complete comprehensive, high data rate ISM-band (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz) transceivers and transverters for streaming wireless applications such as cordless phones, wireless speakers and headphones, security cameras, game controllers, cordless headsets and other personal electronic appliances. Micro Linear is one of the few companies to offer transceivers in all three of the most popular unlicensed bands: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. About Micro Linear: Micro Linear Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in wireless integrated circuit solutions, which enable a variety of wireless products serving a global market. These transceivers can be used in many streaming wireless applications such as cordless phones, PHS handsets, wireless speakers and headphones, security cameras, game controllers, cordless headsets and other personal electronic appliances. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Micro Linear's products are available through its authorized representatives and distributors worldwide. For more information, please visit 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, statements regarding the growth rate and volumes of the PHS market, features and benefits of the ML1900 PHS transceiver, the future availability of the ML1900 product, and development times and run rates of past products 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", "will", "expects", "can" 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; changes in the average selling prices of the Company's products; the level of product orders; the ability of customers to cancel, delay or otherwise change orders without significant penalty; new product announcements or introductions by competitors; the timing and/or ability of the Company to bring new products to market, market's acceptance of the Company's products 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. 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. DATASOURCE: Micro Linear Corporation CONTACT: Mark Jakusovszky, Director of Marketing of Micro Linear, +1-408-428-6531, or fax, +1-408-432-1627, or Web site: http://www.microlinear.com/

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