circuit-switched to a packet-based infrastructure. Zarlink's expertise in timing and synchronization, voice technologies for residential, access and enterprise equipment, packet processing, TDM (time-division multiplex) switching, and voice processing helps navigate the complexities of converging networks.

Zarlink's market-proven expertise is helping to drive a range of new optical interconnect products that deliver significant weight, flexibility and reach advantages while reducing installation time and layout concerns. This includes ZLynx active optical cables for data center and computer cluster interconnect, and optical converter modules for video surveillance systems. Zarlink's homegrown multi-channel physical medium dependent integrated circuits and state-of-the-art array photonics technology is at the heart of integrated optical module and transceiver solutions that provide equipment manufacturers with board space and power savings.

Zarlink holds a strong portfolio of intellectual property, numbering about 2,100 patents and pending applications in key technologies such as voice and packet processing, optical, RF, and digital design. In Fiscal 2008, R&D spending was US$47.5 million, or 26% of revenue.