Joint Development Embeds PoE Chipset Within the Connector

IRVINE, Calif. and RENO, Nev., March 11, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq:MSCC), a leading manufacturer of high
performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and high
reliability semiconductors, and Tyco Electronics (NYSE:TEL), a global
leader in electronic components, announced today the delivery of the
industry's most advanced RJ-45 connector with built-in power over
Ethernet (PoE) technology.

Until now, Enhanced capabilities - the ability to deliver power
together with data and voice over a standard Ethernet cable with power
management - were typically provided as an ASIC, an integrated module
or as a midspan device. This latest innovation enables Enhanced PoE
functionality to be embedded within the RJ-45 connector, reducing the
cost, footprint and design-cycle time associated with integrating PoE
into Ethernet switches.

Tyco Electronics' RJ-45 connector, enhanced by Microsemi's advanced
PD69012 device, is expected to reduce the number of components and
assembly cost for manufacturers who are designing next-generation
Ethernet switches with IEEE 802.3af-compliant or IEEE802.3at-compliant
PoE functionality. It is the first RJ-45 connector in the market
capable of delivering IEEE802.3at power with built-in high end power
management capabilities including dynamic power management, emergency
power management, backplane power management and resilient power
management.

An integrated PoE RJ-45 connector will be critical for vendors who are
designing complex Gigabit Ethernet switches that have very little room
on the printed circuit board for additional electronic circuitry. The
RJ-45 connector comes in two pin-out configurations, one fully
compatible with the PoETec 2.0 industry standard, and another with the
additional power management capabilities.

"As a founder of the IEEE 802.3af and IEEE802.3at standard task forces,
which also boasts an impressive list of Ethernet switch vendors,
Microsemi continues to prove its leadership in PoE design and PoE chip
technology," said Marcus McElroy, Product Manager at Tyco Electronics.
"Harnessing both companies' engineering expertise, we have developed
the industry's most advanced RJ-45 connector with Power over Ethernet
Plus technology, which will provide an easy migration path for our
existing PoE RJ-45 connector customers and an extremely attractive
solution for new customers."

"Tyco Electronics' leadership in the RJ-45 connector market and
Microsemi's expertise in PoE technology and IC design enable a level of
integration and functionality that is unique in the industry," said
Daniel Feldman, Director of Marketing, Power over Ethernet, at
Microsemi. "This joint continued effort that started in 2004 will truly
benefit Ethernet switch manufacturers who are looking to add PoE Plus
functionality to their next-generation products. Working together also
brings us one step closer to rapid deployment of Power over Ethernet
functionality in next-generation switches."

Tyco Electronics has begun to deliver samples of the 2x6 PoE RJ-45
connector. Tyco Electronics and Microsemi also plan to develop 2x4 and
2x8 PoE RJ-45 connectors.

About Power over Ethernet Technology

PoE is a technology for wired Ethernet, the most widely installed local
area network technology in use today. PoE allows the electrical power
necessary for the operation of each device, to be carried by data
cables rather than by separate power cords. It minimizes the number of
wires that must be used in order to install the network, resulting in
lower cost, less downtime, easier maintenance and greater installation
flexibility.

About Microsemi

Microsemi Corporation, with corporate headquarters in Irvine,
California, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high
performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, high
reliability semiconductors and RF subsystems. The company's
semiconductors manage and control or regulate power, protect against
transient voltage spikes and transmit, receive and amplify signals.

Microsemi's products include individual components as well as
integrated circuit solutions that enhance customer designs by improving
performance and reliability, battery optimization, reducing size or
protecting circuits. The principal markets the company serves include
implanted medical, defense/aerospace and satellite, notebook computers,
monitors and LCD TVs, automotive and mobile connectivity applications.
More information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or
by visiting its website at http://www.microsemi.com.

The Microsemi Corporation logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1233

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered
electronic components, network solutions, specialty products and
undersea telecommunication systems, with fiscal 2009 sales of US$10.3
billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture
and market products for customers in a broad array of industries
including automotive; data communication systems and consumer
electronics; telecommunications; aerospace, defense and marine;
medical; energy; and lighting. With approximately 7,000 engineers and
worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco
Electronics' commitment is our customers' advantage. More information
on Tyco Electronics can be found at http://www.tycoelectronics.com/.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in this news release that are not
entirely historical and factual in nature, including without limitation
statements concerning the delivery of the industry's most advanced
RJ-45 connector with built-in power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based
on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as
rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, potential cost
increases, variations in customer order preferences, weakness or
competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand
for and acceptance of the company's products, adverse circumstances in
any of our end markets, results of in-process or planned development or
marketing and promotional campaigns, difficulties foreseeing future
demand, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization
of backlog, product returns, product liability, and other potential
unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in
current or expected industry conditions, difficulties and costs of
protecting patents and other proprietary rights, inventory obsolescence
and difficulties regarding customer qualification of products. In
addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in
this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors,
uncertainties or risks identified in the company's most recent Form
10-K and all subsequent Form 10-Q reports filed by Microsemi with the
SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in
Microsemi's future filings. The forward-looking statements included in
this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Microsemi does not
undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.


CONTACT:  Microsemi Corporation
          Financial Contact:
          John Hohener, Vice President and CFO
            (949) 221-7100
          Editorial Contact:
          Cliff Silver, Corporate Communications Manager
            (949) 221-7100