APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORP
S-1/A, 1998-02-20
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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<PAGE>
 
   
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 20, 1998     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-46071     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                --------------
                           
                                AMENDMENT NO.1 
                                      TO 
                                  FORM S-1     
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                --------------
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                 <C>
             DELAWARE                              3674                             94-2586591
  (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF      (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)            IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                                --------------
 
                              6290 SEQUENCE DRIVE
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                (619) 450-9333
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                                --------------

                                DAVID M. RICKEY
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
                              6290 SEQUENCE DRIVE
                          SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121
                                (619) 450-9333
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                --------------
 
                                  COPIES TO:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
                  MARK A. MEDEARIS                                     THOMAS W. KELLERMAN
                 GLEN R. VAN LIGTEN                                   CHRISTINA B. ROBINSON
                CARL L. SPATARO, JR.                                    PATRICIA MONTALVO
                ROBERT S. SCHLOSSMAN                             BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP
                 VENTURE LAW GROUP                                    TWO EMBARCADERO PLACE
             A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION                                  2200 GENG ROAD
                2800 SAND HILL ROAD                                    PALO ALTO, CA 94303
                MENLO PARK, CA 94025
</TABLE>
                                --------------
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [_]

  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_] __________

  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_] __________

  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_] __________

  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
       
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY STATE.                                                                    +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 
              SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 20, 1998     
 
                                   Filed pursuant to rule
                                   424(b)(4) of registration
                                   number 333-37609
 
                                 [LOGO OF AMCC]
                                
                             3,700,000 SHARES     
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
   
  Of the 3,700,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 1,500,000 shares are
being sold by Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, ("AMCC" or the "Company"),
and 2,200,000 shares are being sold by certain stockholders of the Company. See
"Principal and Selling Stockholders." The Company will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders. The Company's
Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "AMCC."
On February 19, 1998, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market was $18.50 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
    
                                  -----------
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
 
                                  -----------
 
THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES 
  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR   ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  
      THE   COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED  
          UPON THE ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY  
            REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               UNDERWRITING                      PROCEEDS TO
                                 PRICE TO      DISCOUNTS AND    PROCEEDS TO        SELLING
                                  PUBLIC        COMMISSIONS      COMPANY(1)     STOCKHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
Per Share..................    $                $               $                $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(2)...................    $                $               $                $
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company, estimated at $500,000.
   
(2) Certain Selling Stockholders have granted the Underwriters a 30-day option
    to purchase up to an additional 555,000 shares of Common Stock solely to
    cover over-allotments, if any. See "Underwriting." If such option is
    exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and
    Commissions and Proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be $   , $   , and
    $   , respectively.     
 
                                  -----------
 
  The Common Stock is offered by the Underwriters as stated herein, subject to
receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order
in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of such shares will be made
through the offices of BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, San Francisco,
California, on or about      , 1998.
 
BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS
                            NATIONSBANC MONTGOMERY SECURITIES LLC
                                                                 COWEN & COMPANY
 
                   The date of this Prospectus is      , 1998
 
<PAGE>
 
AMCC's silicon solutions for high-bandwidth connectivity
 
SONET/SDH/ATM
 .Three generations of products with increasing levels of integration
 .Low power, low jitter and low cost
[Picture of group of six AMCC integrated circuits layered on a triangular
background.]
 
FIBRE CHANNEL/GIGABIT ETHERNET
 .Evolution to fully integrated transceiver
 .One chip for two standards
[Picture of group of six AMCC integrated circuits layered on a triangular
background.]
 
SERIAL BACKPLANE
 .Crosspoint switches
 .Serializers/deserializers
 .Fast acquisition and fast reconfiguration times
[Picture of group of four AMCC integrated circuits.]
 
[Picture of cluster of optical fiber lines.]
 
[Picture of AMCC integrated circuits, a computer keyboard, a CD-ROM, a digital
video disk and a computer.]
 
[Picture of personal computer monitor.]
 
[Picture of an AMCC integrated circuit on top of a wafer.]
 
 
 
 
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY, INCLUDING THE ENTRY OF STABILIZING BIDS, SYNDICATE COVERING
TRANSACTIONS OR THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE
ACTIVITIES SEE "UNDERWRITING."
   
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK
ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 OF REGULATION M. SEE
"UNDERWRITING."     
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
AMCC's silicon solutions for the
advanced telecommunications and data communications solutions

This 3Com switch uses AMCC's S3028 OC-12 transceiver chip in an ATM optical
interface card
[Picture of a computer switch, an ATM optical interface card and an AMCC 
transceiver chip.]

ROUTER
BRIDGE
ETHERNET
SWITCH
LAN BACKBONE
[Three symbols organized into a pictorial depiction of a LAN backbone.]

Nortel's S/DMS Transport Node OC-48 ring uses AMCC's ASIC products
[Picture of Nortel's S/DMS Transport Node OC-48 ring.]

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK
[Graphical depiction of a row of eight skyscrapers.]

Alcatel uses AMCC's ASICs in OC-48 (2.4 GHz) and OC-192(9.6GHz) transmission
equipment.
[Picture of Alcatel's OC-48 transmission equipment.]

Alcatel uses AMCC's S3017/18 transmitter/receiver pair in an OC-12, 622 Mbps, 
cross-connect switch.
[Picture of Alcatel's OC-12 cross-connect switch and two AMCC.]


WAN SONET/SDH


<PAGE>
 
World's communications infrastructure
solutions AMCC provides high-performance, high-bandwidth products to worldwide 
industry leaders such as 3Com, Alcatel, GPT, Nortel (Northern Telecom), Sun
Microsystems and Vixel.

RAID
DESKTOP PC
FIBRE CHANNEL
ATM
SERVER 
WORKSTATION
DATA NETWORK
[Four symbols organized into a pictorial depiction of a data network.]

A Sun Microsystems server with an OC-3/12 ATM interface uses AMCC's S3020/21 
transmitter/receiver pair.
[Picture of a Sun Microsystems' server and an AMCC transmitter/receiver
pair.]

WORKSTATION
SERVER
DISK DRIVE
FIBRE CHANNEL
FIBRE CHANNEL
WORKSTATION
ENGINEERING NETWORK
[Four symbols organized into a pictorial depiction of an Engineering
Network.]

Vixel's optical modules for the 1 GHz Fibre Channel interface use AMCC's 
S2044/45 transmitter/receiver pair.
[Picture of Vixel optical modules and an AMCC transmitter/receiver pair.]


<PAGE>
 
  NO DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO, OR A SOLICITATION OF, ANY
PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
   <S>                                                                      <C>
   Summary................................................................    4
   Risk Factors...........................................................    6
   Use of Proceeds........................................................   20
   Price Range of Common Stock............................................   20
   Dividend Policy........................................................   20
   Capitalization.........................................................   21
   Selected Consolidated Financial Data...................................   22
   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    of Operations.........................................................   23
   Business...............................................................   32
   Management.............................................................   48
   Certain Transactions...................................................   57
   Principal and Selling Stockholders.....................................   59
   Description of Capital Stock...........................................   62
   Shares Eligible for Future Sale........................................   64
   Underwriting...........................................................   66
   Legal Matters..........................................................   68
   Experts................................................................   68
   Additional Information.................................................   68
   Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................  F-1
</TABLE>    
 
                               ----------------
 
  The Company intends to furnish its stockholders with annual reports
containing audited financial statements examined by independent auditors and
make available to its stockholders unaudited quarterly information for the
first three quarters of each fiscal year.
 
  AMCC(R) is a registered trademark of the Company. All rights are fully
reserved. This Prospectus also includes trademarks of companies other than the
Company.
 
  The Company was incorporated in California in 1979 and reincorporated in
Delaware in 1987. The Company's principal executive offices are located at
6290 Sequence Drive, San Diego, California 92121 and its telephone number is
(619) 450-9333.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements and from the results
historically experienced. Factors that may cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, those under "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The following summary is qualified in its
entirety by the more detailed information, including "Risk Factors" and the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in
this Prospectus.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  AMCC designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-
bandwidth silicon solutions for the world's communications infrastructure. The
Company utilizes a combination of high-frequency, mixed-signal design
expertise, system-level knowledge and multiple silicon process technologies to
offer IC products for the telecommunications markets that address the SONET/SDH
and ATM transmission standards and for the data communications markets that
address the Gigabit Ethernet, ATM and Fibre Channel transmission standards. The
Company also leverages its technology to provide solutions for the ATE, high-
speed computing and military markets. Customers of the Company include 3Com,
Alcatel, Cisco Systems, Compaq, Hughes Electronics, Nortel, Sun Microsystems
and Teradyne.
 
  Substantial growth in the Internet, World Wide Web and cellular and facsimile
communications, the emergence of new applications such as video conferencing
and the growing demand for remote network access and higher speed, data
intensive communication between local area networks have caused current network
system infrastructures to become bandwidth constrained due to the increasing
volume and complexity of data types transmitted. In order to meet these
increased bandwidth demands, communications systems OEMs must utilize
increasingly complex ICs, which account for a greater portion of the value-
added proprietary content of these systems. This trend has created a
significant opportunity for IC suppliers with mixed-signal and system-level
expertise that are capable of designing solutions that enable the transmission
of increasing volumes of complex data at increasingly higher speeds. Dataquest
estimates that the worldwide SONET/SDH market for ICs was approximately $240
million in 1996 and will increase to approximately $700 million in 2000 and
that the ATM market for ICs was approximately $130 million in 1996 and will
increase to approximately $700 million in 2000. The Fibre Channel and Gigabit
Ethernet markets for ICs were relatively small in 1996, and Dataquest estimates
these combined markets will be approximately $300 million in 2000.
 
  The Company addresses these market opportunities by leveraging its advanced
bipolar and BiCMOS process technologies at its internal wafer fabrication
facility, complemented by advanced CMOS processes from external foundries, to
offer high-performance, high-frequency solutions optimized for specific
applications and customer requirements. The Company believes silicon-based
processes tend to be less expensive, more predictable with respect to yields
and better able to ramp to high-volume production than non-silicon processes.
By using its silicon-based processes and extensive design libraries, the
Company is able to offer products that provide significant cost, power,
performance and reliability advantages for communications systems OEMs.
 
  The Company has developed multiple generations of many of its products. In
the telecommunications market, the Company provides ATM and SONET/SDH physical
layer transceivers and Clock Recovery and Synthesis Units for the OC-3 and OC-
12 standards and is currently developing an OC-48 chip set. In the data
communications market, the Company provides physical layer transceivers for
Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel applications as well as crosspoint switches
for serial backplanes. In the high-speed computing market, the Company provides
PCI controllers and high-frequency clock drivers and clock generators. In
addition, the Company also provides high-performance, low-power ASIC products
for the ATE and military markets.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>   
<S>                                              <C>
Common Stock Offered by the Company............. 1,500,000 shares
Common Stock Offered by the Selling Stockhold-
 ers............................................ 2,200,000 shares(1)
Common Stock Outstanding after the Offering..... 22,370,368 shares(2)
Use of Proceeds................................. For capital expenditures related to
                                                 expansion of the Company's manufacturing
                                                 operations, working capital and general
                                                 corporate purposes
Nasdaq National Market Symbol................... AMCC
</TABLE>    
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                      NINE MONTHS
                                                                         ENDED
                                FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,          DECEMBER 31,
                          ----------------------------------------- ---------------
                           1993    1994    1995     1996     1997    1996    1997
                          ------- ------- -------  -------  ------- ------- -------
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
 OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues............  $38,296 $49,686 $46,950  $50,264  $57,468 $42,464 $54,874
Gross profit............   17,735  20,499  19,437   16,095   27,411  19,664  29,504
Operating income
 (loss)(3)..............    1,319   1,713    (783)  (3,420)   7,004   5,010   9,905
Net income (loss)(3)....  $   993 $10,204 $(1,071) $(3,694) $ 6,316 $ 4,541 $ 9,937
                          ======= ======= =======  =======  ======= ======= =======
Pro forma basic earnings
 per share(4):
 Earnings per share.....                                    $  0.35 $  0.25 $  0.57
                                                            ======= ======= =======
 Shares used in comput-
  ing pro forma basic
  earnings per share....                                     17,834  17,824  17,499
                                                            ======= ======= =======
Diluted earnings per
 share(4):
 Earnings per share.....                                    $  0.35 $  0.25 $  0.51
                                                            ======= ======= =======
 Shares used in comput-
  ing diluted earnings
  per share.............                                     17,907  17,897  19,306
                                                            ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>    
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                             -------------------
                                                                         AS
                                                             ACTUAL  ADJUSTED(5)
                                                             ------- -----------
<S>                                                          <C>     <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital............................................. $44,695   70,502
Total assets................................................  73,857   99,664
Long-term capital lease obligations, less current portion...   1,675    1,675
Total stockholders' equity..................................  59,355   85,162
</TABLE>    
- -------
   
(1) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock sold by selling stockholders
    in this offering may increase based upon additional expressions of
    interest.     
   
(2) Based on the pro forma number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at
    December 31, 1997. Excludes, as of December 31, 1997: (i) 83,309 shares of
    Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding under the
    Company's 1982 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "1982 Plan") at a
    weighted average exercise price of $0.54 per share; (ii) 2,080,214 shares
    of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding under the
    Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan") at a weighted average
    exercise price of $1.53 per share; (iii) 2,428,464 shares reserved for
    future issuance under the 1992 Plan; (iv) 200,000 shares reserved for
    future issuance under the Company's 1997 Directors' Plan (the "Directors'
    Plan"); (v) 400,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
    Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan"); and (vi)
    24,753 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of certain other
    outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of $0.48 per
    share.     
   
(3) The Company's results of operations during fiscal 1994 includes a net gain
    of approximately $9.5 million on contract settlement. See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
    for discussion of the net losses in fiscal 1995 and 1996.     
   
(4) The earnings per share information was computed applying the requirements
    of recently effective Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128
    and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98. See Note 1 of Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the method used to
    determine the number of shares used to compute the earnings per share
    amounts.     
   
(5) Adjusted to give effect to the sale of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock by
    the Company at the assumed public offering price of $18.50 per share and
    the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of
    Proceeds" and "Capitalization."     
 
  Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus assumes no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See "Underwriting."
 
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  An investment in the shares of Common Stock offered hereby involves a high
degree of risk. Prospective purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby
should review carefully the following risk factors as well as the other
information set forth in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains forward-
looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results and the timing of certain events
could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth in the
following risk factors and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS
 
  AMCC has experienced and may in the future experience fluctuations in its
operating results. The Company had fluctuating revenues and incurred net
losses in fiscal 1995 and 1996. The Company's quarterly and annual operating
results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and
adversely affect revenues, gross profit and operating income, including, but
not limited to: the rescheduling or cancellation of orders by customers;
fluctuations in the timing and amount of customer requests for product
shipments; fluctuations in manufacturing yields and inventory levels; changes
in product mix; the Company's ability to introduce new products and
technologies on a timely basis; the announcement or introduction of products
and technologies by the Company's competitors; the availability of external
foundry capacity, purchased parts and raw materials; competitive pressures on
selling prices; the timing of investments in research and development; market
acceptance of the Company's and its customers' products; the timing of
depreciation and other expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection
with the expansion of its existing manufacturing facility and in connection
with its proposed new wafer fabrication facility; costs associated with
compliance with applicable environmental regulations; costs associated with
future litigation, if any, including without limitation, litigation relating
to the use or ownership of intellectual property; general semiconductor
industry conditions; and general economic conditions, including, but not
limited to, economic conditions in Asia.
 
  The Company's expense levels are relatively fixed and are based, in part, on
its expectations of future revenues. Because the Company is continuing to
increase its operating expenses for personnel and new product development and
is limited in its ability to reduce expenses quickly in response to any
revenue shortfalls, the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results would be adversely affected if increased revenues are not achieved.
Furthermore, sudden shortages of raw materials or production capacity
constraints can lead producers to allocate available supplies or capacity to
customers with resources greater than those of the Company, which could
interrupt the Company's ability to meet its production obligations. Finally,
average selling prices in the semiconductor industry historically have
decreased over the life of a product, and as a result, the average selling
prices of the Company's products may be subject to significant pricing
pressures in the future. In response to such pressures, the Company may take
pricing or other actions that could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
  The Company's business is characterized by short-term orders and shipment
schedules, and customer orders typically can be canceled or rescheduled
without significant penalty to the customer. Due to the absence of substantial
noncancellable backlog, the Company typically plans its production and
inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer demand, which is
highly unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. In addition, from time
to time, in response to anticipated long lead times to obtain inventory and
materials from its outside foundries, the Company may order materials in
advance of anticipated customer demand, which might result in excess inventory
levels or unanticipated inventory write-downs if expected orders fail to
materialize or other factors render the customer's products less marketable.
Furthermore, the Company currently anticipates that an increasing portion of
its revenues in future periods will be derived from sales of application-
specific standard products ("ASSPs"), as compared to application-specific
integrated circuits ("ASICs"). Customer orders for ASSPs typically have
shorter lead times than orders for ASICs, which may make it increasingly
difficult for the Company to predict its revenues and inventory levels and
adjust production appropriately in future periods. A
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
failure by the Company to plan inventory and production levels effectively
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results.
 
  As a result of the foregoing or other factors, the Company may experience
fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis that
could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and
operating results. For example, as a result of the termination of a
relationship with a strategic foundry partner, decreased orders from two major
customers, charges associated with a reduction in the Company's workforce and
charges for excess inventory, the Company experienced revenue fluctuations and
incurred net losses in fiscal 1995 and 1996. Accordingly, the Company believes
that period-to-period comparisons of its operating results should not be
relied upon as an indication of future performance. In addition, the results
of any quarterly period are not indicative of results to be expected for a
full fiscal year. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
achieve increased sales or maintain its profitability in any future period. In
certain future quarters, the Company's operating results may be below the
expectations of public market analysts or investors. In such event, the market
price of the Company's Common Stock could be materially and adversely
affected. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
 
MANUFACTURING YIELDS
 
  The fabrication of semiconductors is a complex and precise process. Minute
levels of contaminants in the manufacturing environment, defects in masks used
to print circuits on a wafer, difficulties in the fabrication process or other
factors can cause a substantial percentage of wafers to be rejected or a
significant number of die on each wafer to be nonfunctional. In addition, the
Company's ongoing expansion of the manufacturing capacity of its existing
wafer fabrication facility could increase the risk to the Company of
contaminants in such facility. Many of these problems are difficult to
diagnose, time consuming and expensive to remedy and can result in shipment
delays. As a result, semiconductor companies often experience problems in
achieving acceptable wafer manufacturing yields, which are represented by the
number of good die as a proportion of the total number of die on any
particular wafer, particularly in connection with the commencement of
production in a new fabrication facility or the transfer of manufacturing
operations between fabrication facilities. Because the majority of the
Company's costs of manufacturing are relatively fixed, maintenance of the
number of shippable die per wafer is critical to the Company's results of
operations. Yield decreases can result in substantially higher unit costs and
may result in reduced gross profit and net income. The Company has in the past
experienced yield problems in connection with the manufacture of its products.
For example, in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 the Company experienced a
decrease in internal yields primarily due to the Company's increasing volume
production of a single product at less than normal production yields in
support of a customer's delivery requirements. This decrease in internal
yields adversely impacted the Company's gross margin for the quarter by
approximately $600,000. The Company estimates yields per wafer in order to
estimate the value of inventory. If yields are materially different than
projected, work-in-process inventory may need to be revalued. The Company has
in the past and may in the future from time to time take inventory write-downs
as a result of decreases in manufacturing yields. There can be no assurance
that the Company will not suffer periodic yield problems in connection with
new or existing products or in connection with the commencement of production
in the Company's proposed new manufacturing facility or the transfer of the
Company's manufacturing operations to such facility, any of which problems
could cause the Company's business, financial condition and operating results
to be materially and adversely affected. See "-- Manufacturing Capacity
Limitations; New Production Facility."
 
  Semiconductor manufacturing yields are a function both of product design and
process technology. In cases where products are manufactured for the Company
by an outside foundry, the process technology is typically proprietary to the
manufacturer. Since low yields may result from either design or process
technology failures, yield problems may not be effectively determined or
resolved until an actual product exists that can be analyzed and tested to
identify process sensitivities relating to the design rules that are used. As
a result, yield problems may not be identified until well into the production
process, and resolution of yield problems
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
would require cooperation by and communication between the Company and the
manufacturer.  In some cases this risk could be compounded by the offshore
location of certain of the Company's manufacturers, increasing the effort and
time required to identify, communicate and resolve manufacturing yield
problems. If the Company develops relationships with additional outside
foundries, yields could be adversely affected due to difficulties associated
with adapting the Company's technology and product design to the proprietary
process technology and design rules of such new foundries. Because of the
Company's limited access to wafer fabrication capacity from its outside
foundries for certain of its products, any decrease in manufacturing yields of
such products could result in an increase in the Company's per unit costs for
such products and force the Company to allocate its available product supply
among its customers, thus potentially adversely impacting customer
relationships as well as revenues and gross margin. There can be no assurance
that the Company's outside foundries will achieve or maintain acceptable
manufacturing yields in the future. Furthermore, the Company also faces the
risk of product recalls resulting from design or manufacturing defects which
are not discovered during the manufacturing and testing process. Any of the
foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results. See "Business --
Manufacturing."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASING DEPENDENCE ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND DATA
COMMUNICATIONS MARKETS AND INCREASING DEPENDENCE ON APPLICATION-SPECIFIC
STANDARD PRODUCTS
 
  An important part of the Company's strategy is to continue its focus on the
telecommunications market and to leverage its technology and expertise to
penetrate further the data communications market for high-speed ICs. The
Company anticipates that sales to its other traditional markets will grow more
slowly or not at all and, in some instances, as in the case of military
markets, may decrease over time. The telecommunications and data
communications markets are characterized by extreme price competition, rapid
technological change, industry standards that are continually evolving and, in
many cases, short product life cycles. These markets frequently undergo
transitions in which products rapidly incorporate new features and performance
standards on an industry-wide basis. If, at the beginning of each such
transition, the Company's products are unable to support the new features or
performance levels being required by OEMs in these markets, the Company would
be likely to lose business from an existing or potential customer and,
moreover, would not have the opportunity to compete for new design wins until
the next product transition occurs. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to penetrate the telecommunications or data communications market
successfully. A failure by the Company to develop products with required
features or performance standards for the telecommunications or data
communications markets, a delay as short as a few months in bringing a new
product to market or a failure by the Company's telecommunications or data
communications customers to achieve market acceptance of their products by
end-users could significantly reduce the Company's revenues for a substantial
period, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results. See " -- Risks Associated with
Dependence on High-Speed Computing Market."
 
  A significant portion of the Company's revenues in recent periods has been,
and is expected to continue to be, derived from sales of products based on the
Synchronous Optical Network ("SONET")/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy ("SDH")
transmission standards and the Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") transmission
standard. If the communications market evolves to new standards, there is no
assurance the Company will be able to successfully design and manufacture new
products that address the needs of its customers or that such new products
will meet with substantial market acceptance. Although the Company has
developed some initial products for the emerging Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre
Channel communications standards, volume sales of these products have only
recently commenced, and there is no assurance AMCC will be successful in
addressing the market opportunities for products based on these standards. See
" -- Rapid Technological Change; Necessity to Develop and Introduce New
Products."
 
  The Company has under development a number of ASSPs for the
telecommunications and data communications markets, from which it expects to
derive an increasing portion of its future revenues. The
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Company has a limited operating history in selling ASSPs, particularly to
customers in the telecommunications and data communications markets, upon
which an evaluation of the Company's prospects in such markets can be based.
In addition, the Company's relationships with certain customers in these
markets have been established recently. The Company's future success in
selling ASSPs, and in particular, selling ASSPs to customers in the
telecommunications and data communications markets, will depend in large part
on whether the Company's ASSPs are developed on a timely basis and whether
such products achieve market acceptance among new and existing customers, and
on the timing of the commencement of volume production of the OEMs' products,
if at all. The Company has in the past encountered difficulties in introducing
new products in accordance with customers' delivery schedules and the
Company's initial expectations. There can be no assurance the Company will not
encounter such difficulties in the future or that the Company will be able to
develop and introduce ASSPs in a timely manner so as to meet customer
demands.  Any such difficulties or a failure by the Company to develop and
timely introduce such ASSPs could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results. See "-- Rapid
Technological Change; Necessity to Develop and Introduce New Products."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPENDENCE ON HIGH-SPEED COMPUTING MARKET
 
  The Company historically has derived significant revenues from product sales
to customers in the high-speed computing market and currently anticipates that
it will continue to derive significant revenues from sales to customers in
this market in the near term. The market for high-speed computing IC products
is subject to extreme price competition. The Company believes that the average
selling prices of the Company's IC products for the high-speed computing
market will decline in future periods and that the Company's gross margin on
sales of such products also will decline in future periods. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to reduce the costs of manufacturing
its high-speed computing IC products in response to declining average selling
prices.  Even if the Company successfully utilizes new processes or
technologies to reduce the manufacturing costs of its high-speed computing
products in a timely manner, there can be no assurance that the Company's
customers in the high-speed computing market will purchase such new products.
A failure by the Company to reduce its manufacturing costs sufficiently or a
failure by the Company's customers to purchase such products could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results. Furthermore, the Company expects that certain of its
competitors may seek to develop and introduce products that integrate the
functions performed by the Company's high-speed computing IC products on a
single chip. In addition, one or more of the Company's customers may choose to
utilize discrete components to perform the functions served by the Company's
high-speed computing IC products or may use their own design and fabrication
facilities to create a similar product. In either case, the need for high-
speed computing customers to purchase the Company's IC products could be
eliminated, which could adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results. See "-- Intense Competition."
 
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; NECESSITY TO DEVELOP AND INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS
 
  The markets for the Company's products are characterized by rapidly changing
technologies, evolving and competing industry standards, short product life
cycles, changing customer needs, emerging competition, frequent new product
introductions and enhancements and rapid product obsolescence. The Company's
future success will depend, in large part, on its ability to develop, gain
access to and use leading technologies in a cost-effective and timely manner
and on its ability to continue to develop its technical and design expertise.
The Company's ability to have its products designed into its customers' future
products, to maintain close working relationships with key customers in order
to develop new products, particularly ASSPs, that meet customers' changing
needs and to respond to changing industry standards and other technological
changes on a timely and cost-effective basis will also be a critical factor in
the Company's future success. Furthermore, once a customer has designed a
supplier's product into its system, the customer typically is extremely
reluctant to change its supply source due to significant costs associated with
qualifying a new supplier. Accordingly, the failure by the Company to achieve
design wins with its key customers could have a
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. See "Business -- Research and Development."
 
  Products for telecommunications and data communications applications, as
well as for high-speed computing applications are based on industry standards
that are continually evolving. The Company's ability to compete in the future
will depend on its ability to identify and ensure compliance with evolving
industry standards. The emergence of new industry standards could render the
Company's products incompatible with products developed by major systems
manufacturers. As a result, the Company could be required to invest
significant time and effort and to incur significant expense to redesign the
Company's products to ensure compliance with relevant standards. If the
Company's products are not in compliance with prevailing industry standards
for a significant period of time, the Company could miss opportunities to
achieve crucial design wins. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be successful in developing or using new technologies or in developing new
products or product enhancements on a timely basis, or that such new
technologies, products or product enhancements will achieve market acceptance.
In the past, the Company has encountered difficulties in introducing new
products and product enhancements in accordance with customers' delivery
schedules and the Company's initial expectations. The Company could encounter
such difficulties in the future. The Company's pursuit of necessary
technological advances may require substantial time and expense. A failure by
the Company, for technological or other reasons, to develop and introduce new
or enhanced products on a timely basis that are compatible with industry
standards and satisfy customer price and performance requirements could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results. See "-- Fluctuations in Operating Results," and "-- Risks
Associated with Increasing Dependence on Telecommunications and Data
Communications Markets and Increasing Dependence on Application-Specific
Standard Products."
 
INTENSE COMPETITION
 
  The semiconductor market is highly competitive and subject to rapid
technological change, price erosion and heightened international competition.
The telecommunications, data communications, ATE and high-speed computing
industries in particular are intensely competitive. The Company believes that
the principal factors of competition in its markets are price, product
performance, product quality and time-to-market. The ability of the Company to
compete successfully in its markets depends on a number of factors, including
success in designing and subcontracting the manufacture of new products that
implement new technologies, product quality, reliability, price, the
efficiency of production, design wins for its IC products, ramp up of
production of the Company's products for particular systems manufacturers,
end-user acceptance of the systems manufacturers' products, market acceptance
of competitors' products and general economic conditions.  In addition, the
Company's competitors may offer enhancements to existing products or offer new
products based on new technologies, industry standards or customer
requirements that are available to customers on a more timely basis than
comparable products from the Company or that have the potential to replace or
provide lower-cost alternatives to the Company's products. The introduction of
such enhancements or new products by the Company's competitors could render
the Company's existing and future products obsolete or unmarketable.
Furthermore, once a customer has designed a supplier's product into its
system, the customer is extremely reluctant to change its supply source due to
the significant costs associated with qualifying a new supplier. Finally, the
Company expects that certain of its competitors and other semiconductor
companies may seek to develop and introduce products that integrate the
functions performed by the Company's IC products on a single chip, thus
eliminating the need for the Company's products. Each of these factors could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. See "-- Risks Associated with Dependence on High-
Speed Computing Market."
 
  In the telecommunications and data communications markets, the Company
competes primarily against gallium arsenide ("GaAs") based companies such as
Giga, Rockwell International, TriQuint and Vitesse, and bipolar silicon based
products from companies such as Giga, Hewlett-Packard, Maxim, Philips and
Sony. In certain circumstances, most notably with respect to ASICs supplied to
Nortel, AMCC's customers or potential
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
customers have internal IC manufacturing capabilities, and this internal
source is an alternative available to the customer. In the ATE market, the
Company's products compete primarily against GaAs based products offered by
Vitesse and silicon ECL and BiCMOS products offered principally by
semiconductor manufacturers such as Analog Devices, Lucent Technologies and
Maxim. In the high-speed computing market, the Company competes primarily
against Chrontel, Cypress, ICS, PLX and Tundra. Many of these companies and
potential new competitors have significantly greater financial, technical,
manufacturing and marketing resources than the Company. In addition, in lower-
frequency applications, the Company faces increasing competition from CMOS-
based products, particularly as the performance of such products continues to
improve. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to develop
new products to compete with new technologies on a timely basis or in a cost-
effective manner. Any failure by the Company to compete successfully in its
target markets, particularly in the telecommunications and data communications
markets, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. See "--Risks Associated with
Increasing Dependence on Telecommunications and Data Communications Markets
and Increasing Dependence on Application-Specific Standard Products."
 
MANUFACTURING CAPACITY LIMITATIONS; NEW PRODUCTION FACILITY
 
  The Company currently manufactures a majority of its IC products at its
four-inch wafer fabrication facility located in San Diego, California. The
Company believes that, upon the completion of the capacity expansion of its
existing fabrication facility, it will be able to satisfy its production needs
of products produced in its fabrication facility through 2000, although this
date may vary depending on, among other things, the Company's rate of growth.
The Company will be required to hire, train and manage additional production
personnel in order to increase its production capacity as scheduled. In the
event the Company's expansion of the manufacturing capacity of its fabrication
facility is not completed on a timely basis, the Company could face production
capacity constraints, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
  Based on the Company's current forecasts of its future need for
manufacturing capacity, the Company is planning for the construction of a new
six-inch wafer fabrication facility, initially to complement, and potentially
to replace, its existing facility in San Diego. The Company is also exploring
other alternatives for the expansion of its manufacturing capacity, including
purchasing a wafer fabrication facility and entering into strategic
relationships to obtain additional capacity. The Company currently plans to
acquire, or acquire rights to, a site no later than mid-1998, to initiate
construction of the new facility during 1999 and to complete the physical
plant during 2000. Following the completion of the physical plant, the Company
must install equipment and perform necessary testing prior to commencing
commercial production at the facility, a process which the Company anticipates
will take at least nine months. Accordingly, the Company believes the new
facility will not commence commercial production prior to late 2000. This new
fabrication facility will have room for additional equipment and manufacturing
capacity. The Company estimates that the cost of the new wafer fabrication
facility will be at least $80.0 million, of which approximately $30.0 million
relates to the purchase of land and construction of the building and at least
$50.0 million relates to capital equipment purchases necessary to establish
the initial manufacturing capacity of the facility. The Company currently
anticipates that a significant portion of these capital equipment purchases
will occur prior to the end of 1999. The Company intends to fund approximately
$24.0 million of the total cost of the new facility with a portion of the
proceeds of this offering and the Company's initial public offering (the
"IPO"). The balance of the cost of this facility is expected to be funded
through a combination of available cash, cash equivalents and short term
investments, cash from operations and additional debt, lease or equity
financing. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain
the additional financing necessary to fund the construction and completion of
the new manufacturing facility. Any failure by the Company to obtain on a
timely basis such financing could delay the completion of the facility and
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. To date, the Company has not acquired, or acquired
rights to, a suitable site for its proposed new manufacturing facility. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to acquire rights to such a
site in a timely manner, if at all. Any significant delay by the
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Company in finding such a site could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results. In addition,
the Company's existing wafer fabrication facility is, and its proposed new
wafer fabrication facility is expected to be, located in California. There can
be no assurance that these facilities will not be subject to natural disasters
such as earthquakes or floods. In addition, the depreciation and other
expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection with the expansion of its
existing manufacturing facility and in connection with its proposed new wafer
fabrication facility may adversely effect the Company's gross margin in any
future fiscal period. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that other
alternatives to constructing a new wafer fabrication facility will be
available on a timely basis or at all. See "--Dependence on Third-Party
Manufacturing and Supply Relationships" and "-- Need For Additional Capital."
 
  The construction of the new wafer fabrication facility entails significant
risks, including shortages of materials and skilled labor, unforeseen
environmental or engineering problems, work stoppages, weather interferences
and unanticipated cost increases, any of which could have a material adverse
effect on the building, equipping and production start-up of the new facility.
In addition, unexpected changes or concessions required by local, state or
federal regulatory agencies with respect to necessary licenses, land use
permits, site approvals and building permits could involve significant
additional costs and delay the scheduled opening of the facility and could
reduce the Company's anticipated revenues. Also, the timing of commencement of
operation of the new facility will depend upon the availability, timely
delivery and successful installation and testing of the necessary process
equipment. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, there can be no
assurance that the new facility will be completed and in volume production
within its current budget or within the period currently scheduled by the
Company, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial
condition and operating results.
 
  Furthermore, if the Company is unable to achieve adequate manufacturing
yields in its proposed new fabrication facility in a timely manner or if the
Company's revenues do not increase commensurate with the anticipated increase
in manufacturing capacity associated with the new facility, the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results could also be materially
adversely affected. In addition, in the future, the Company may be required
for competitive reasons to make capital investments in its existing wafer
fabrication facility or to accelerate the timing of the construction of its
new wafer fabrication facility in order to expedite the manufacture of
products based on more advanced manufacturing processes. To the extent such
capital investments are required, the Company's gross profit and, as a result,
its business, financial condition and operating results, could be materially
and adversely affected. See "-- Manufacturing Yields."
 
  The successful operation of the Company's proposed new wafer fabrication
facility, if completed, as well as the Company's overall production
operations, will also be subject to numerous risks. The Company has no prior
experience with the operation of the equipment or the processes involved in
producing finished six-inch wafers, which differ significantly from those
involved in the production of four-inch wafers. The Company will be required
to hire, train and manage production personnel in order to effectively operate
the new facility. The Company does not have sufficient excess production
capacity at its existing San Diego facility to fully offset any failure of the
proposed new wafer fabrication facility to meet planned production goals. The
Company may transfer its current San Diego manufacturing operations into the
proposed new wafer fabrication facility subsequent to its completion. Should
this transfer occur, there can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience delays in completing product testing and documentation required by
customers to qualify or requalify the Company's products from this facility as
being from an approved source as a result of this transfer, which could
materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results. The Company will also have to effectively coordinate and
manage two manufacturing facilities to successfully meet its overall
production goals. The Company has no experience in coordinating and managing
production facilities that are located at different sites or in the transfer
of manufacturing operations from one facility to another. As a result of these
and other factors, the failure of the Company to successfully operate the
proposed new wafer fabrication facility, to successfully coordinate and manage
the two sites or to transfer the Company's manufacturing operations could
adversely affect the Company's overall
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
production and could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial
condition and operating results. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business --
 Manufacturing."
 
TRANSITION TO NEW PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES
 
  The markets for the Company's products are characterized by rapid changes in
manufacturing process technologies. To provide competitive products to its
target markets, the Company must develop improved process technologies. The
Company's future success will depend, in large part, upon its ability to
continue to improve its existing process technologies, develop new process
technologies, and adapt its process technologies to emerging industry
standards. The Company may in the future be required to transition one or more
of its products to process technologies with smaller geometries, other
materials or higher speeds in order to reduce costs and/or improve product
performance. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
improve its process technologies and develop new process technologies,
including, but not limited to silicon germanium process technologies, in a
timely or affordable manner or that such improvements or developments will
result in products that achieve market acceptance. A failure by the Company to
improve its existing process technologies or processes or develop new process
technologies in a timely or affordable manner could adversely affect the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results. See " -- Rapid
Technological Change; Necessity to Develop and Introduce New Products," " --
 Manufacturing Capacity Limitations; New Production Facility" and "Business --
 Research and Development."
 
DEPENDENCE ON THIRD-PARTY MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY RELATIONSHIPS
 
  The Company relies on outside foundries for the manufacture of certain of
its products, including all of its products designed on CMOS processes. The
Company generally does not have long-term wafer supply agreements with its
outside foundries that guarantee wafer or product quantities, prices or
delivery lead times. Instead, the Company's products that are manufactured by
outside foundries are manufactured on a purchase order basis. The Company
expects that, for the foreseeable future, certain of its products will be
manufactured by a single outside foundry. Because establishing relationships
with new outside foundries takes several months, there is no readily available
alternative source of supply for these products. A manufacturing disruption
experienced by one or more of the Company's outside foundries would impact the
production of the Company's products for a substantial period of time, which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results. Furthermore, in the event that the transition
to the next generation of manufacturing technologies at one or more of the
Company's outside foundries is unsuccessful or delayed, the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results could be materially and
adversely affected.
 
  There are additional risks associated with the Company's dependence upon
third-party manufacturers for certain of its products, including, but not
limited to, reduced control over delivery schedules, quality assurance,
manufacturing yields and costs, the potential lack of adequate capacity during
periods of excess demand, limited warranties on wafers or products supplied to
the Company, increases in prices and potential misappropriation of the
Company's intellectual property. With respect to certain of its products, the
Company depends upon external foundries to produce wafers and, in some cases,
finished products of acceptable quality, to deliver those wafers and products
to the Company on a timely basis and to allocate to the Company a portion of
their manufacturing capacity sufficient to meet the Company's needs. On
occasion, the Company has experienced difficulties in causing these events to
occur satisfactorily. The Company's wafer and product requirements typically
represent a very small portion of the total production of these external
foundries. The Company is subject to the risk that a producer will cease
production on an older or lower-volume process that is used to produce the
Company's parts. Additionally, there can be no assurance that such external
foundries will continue to devote resources to the production of the Company's
products or continue to advance the process design technologies on which the
manufacturing of the Company's products are based. Any such
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
difficulties could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results. See "-- Manufacturing Yields."
 
  Certain of the Company's products are assembled and packaged by third-party
subcontractors. The Company does not have long-term agreements with any of
these subcontractors. Such assembly and packaging is conducted on a purchase
order basis. As a result of its reliance on third-party subcontractors to
assemble and package its products, the Company cannot directly control product
delivery schedules, which could lead to product shortages or quality assurance
problems that could increase the costs of manufacturing, assembly or packaging
of the Company's products. In addition, the Company may, from time to time, be
required to accept price increases for such assembly or packaging services
that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results. Due to the amount of time normally required
to qualify assembly and packaging subcontractors, product shipments could be
delayed significantly if the Company is required to find alternative
subcontractors. In the future, the Company may contract with third parties for
the testing of its products. Any problems associated with the delivery,
quality or cost of the assembly, testing or packaging of the Company's
products could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results.
 
  Due to an industry transition to six-inch wafer fabrication facilities,
there is a limited number of suppliers of the four-inch wafers used by the
Company to build products in its existing manufacturing facility, and the
Company relies on a single supplier for such wafers. Although the Company
believes that it will have sufficient access to four-inch wafers to support
production in its existing fabrication facility for the foreseeable future,
there can be no assurance that the Company's current supplier will continue to
supply the Company with four-inch wafers on a long-term basis. Additionally,
the availability of manufacturing equipment needed for a four-inch process is
limited and certain new equipment required for more advanced processes may not
be available for a four-inch process. If the Company is not able to obtain a
sufficient supply of four-inch wafers or to obtain the requisite equipment for
a four-inch process, the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results would be materially adversely affected. See "Business --
 Manufacturing."
 
CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION
 
  Historically, a relatively small number of customers has accounted for a
significant portion of the Company's revenues in any particular period. The
Company has no long-term volume purchase commitments from any of its major
customers. In fiscal 1996 and 1997 and for the first nine months of fiscal
1998, the Company's five largest customers accounted for approximately 44% of
the Company's revenues in each of such periods and sales to Nortel accounted
for approximately 20% of the Company's revenues in each of such periods. The
Company anticipates that sales of its products to relatively few customers
will continue to account for a significant portion of its revenues. In the
event of a reduction, delay or cancellation of orders from one or more
significant customers or if one or more of its significant customers select
products manufactured by one of the Company's competitors for inclusion in
future product generations, the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results could be materially and adversely affected. There can be no
assurance that the Company's current customers will continue to place orders
with the Company, that orders by existing customers will continue at current
or historical levels or that the Company will be able to obtain orders from
new customers. The loss of one or more of the Company's current significant
customers could materially and adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results. See "-- Intense Competition,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," and "Business -- Products and Customers."
 
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
 
  The Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, periods of
rapid growth and expansion, which have placed, and could continue to place, a
significant strain on the Company's limited personnel and other resources. To
manage these expanded operations effectively, the Company will be required to
continue to improve its operational, financial and management systems and to
successfully hire, train, motivate and
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
manage its employees. In particular, certain of the Company's senior
management personnel recently joined the Company. The Company's ability to
manage growth successfully will require such personnel to work together
effectively. In addition, the expansion of the Company's current wafer
fabrication facility, the construction and operation of the Company's planned
wafer fabrication facility, the initial integration of the proposed new wafer
fabrication facility with the Company's current facility and the subsequent
potential transfer of the Company's manufacturing operations to the proposed
new wafer fabrication facility will require significant management, technical
and administrative resources. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to manage its growth or effectively integrate its planned wafer
fabrication facility into its current operations, and a failure to do so could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
and operating results.
 
DEPENDENCE ON QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
 
  The Company's future success depends in part on the continued service of its
key design engineering, sales, marketing and executive personnel and its
ability to identify, hire and retain additional personnel. There is intense
competition for qualified personnel in the semiconductor industry, in
particular design engineers, and there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to continue to attract and train such engineers or other
qualified personnel necessary for the development of its business or to
replace engineers or other qualified personnel that may leave the Company's
employ in the future. The Company's anticipated growth is expected to place
increased demands on the Company's resources and will likely require the
addition of new management personnel and the development of additional
expertise by existing management personnel. Although the Company has entered
into an "at-will" employment agreement with David M. Rickey, the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company has not entered into fixed
term employment agreements with any of its executive officers. In addition,
the Company has not obtained key-man life insurance on any of its executive
officers or key employees. Loss of the services of, or failure to recruit, key
design engineers or other technical and management personnel could be
significantly detrimental to the Company's product and process development
programs or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results. See "Certain
Transactions."
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
 
  The Company requires substantial working capital to fund its business,
particularly to finance inventories and accounts receivable and for capital
expenditures. The Company believes that the net proceeds of this offering,
together with its available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
and cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company's
capital requirements through the next 12 months, although the Company could be
required, or could elect, to seek to raise additional financing during such
period. The Company's future capital requirements will depend on many factors,
including the costs associated with the expansion of its manufacturing
operations, the rate of revenue growth, the timing and extent of spending to
support research and development programs and expansion of sales and
marketing, the timing of introductions of new products and enhancements to
existing products, and market acceptance of the Company's products. The
Company expects that it will need to raise additional debt or equity financing
in the future, primarily for purposes of financing the acquisition of property
for its proposed new wafer fabrication facility, the construction of the
proposed new wafer fabrication facility and the purchase of equipment for the
proposed new wafer fabrication facility. There can be no assurance that such
additional debt or equity financing will be available on commercially
reasonable terms or at all. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources."
 
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
  The Company relies in part on patents to protect its intellectual property.
The Company has been issued 13 patents in the United States and one patent in
Canada, which patents principally cover certain aspects of
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
   
the design and architecture of the Company's IC products and have expiration
dates ranging from 2004 to 2009. In addition, the Company has six patent
applications pending in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the
"PTO"). There can be no assurance that the Company's pending patent
applications or any future applications will be approved, or that any issued
patents will provide the Company with competitive advantages or will not be
challenged by third parties or that if challenged, will be found to be valid
or enforceable, or that the patents of others will not have an adverse effect
on the Company's ability to do business. Furthermore, there can be no
assurance that others will not independently develop similar products or
processes, duplicate the Company's products or processes or design around any
patents that may be issued to the Company.     
 
  To protect its intellectual property, the Company also relies on a
combination of mask work protection under the Federal Semiconductor Chip
Protection Act of 1984, trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws, employee
and third-party nondisclosure agreements and licensing arrangements. A mask
work refers to the intangible information content of the set of masks or mask
databases used to make a semiconductor chip product. Despite these efforts,
there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop
substantially equivalent intellectual property or otherwise gain access to the
Company's trade secrets or intellectual property, or disclose such
intellectual property or trade secrets, or that the Company can meaningfully
protect its intellectual property. A failure by the Company to meaningfully
protect its intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
  As a general matter, the semiconductor industry is characterized by
substantial litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property
rights. The Company in the past has been and in the future may be notified
that it may be infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties.
The Company has certain indemnification obligations to customers with respect
to the infringement of third-party intellectual property rights by its
products. There can be no assurance that infringement claims by third parties
or claims for indemnification by customers or end users of the Company's
products resulting from infringement claims will not be asserted in the future
or that such assertions, if proven to be true, will not materially adversely
affect the Company's business, financial condition or operating results. In
March 1997, the Company received a written notice from legal counsel for Dr.
Chou Li asserting that the Company manufactures certain of its products in
ways that appear to such counsel to infringe a United States patent held by
Dr. Li (the "Li Patent"). After a review of its technology in light of such
assertion, the Company believes that the Company's processes do not infringe
any of the claims of this patent. On January 6, 1998, in a lawsuit between a
third party and Dr. Li filed in Federal District Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia, the court ruled that the Li Patent was invalid for
inequitable conduct. In January 1998, the Company received a written notice
from legal counsel for the Lemelson Medical, Education & Research Foundation
Limited Partnership (the "Lemelson Partnership") asserting that the Company
infringes certain United States Patents (the "Lemelson Patents") and offering
the Company a license under the patents. The Company is monitoring this matter
and, although the ultimate outcome of this matter is not currently
determinable, the Company believes, based in part on the licensing terms
offered by the Lemelson Partnership, that the resolution of this matter will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or
liquidity; however, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of
this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations for any quarter. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the
Lemelson Partnership will not file a lawsuit against the Company or that the
Company would prevail in any such litigation. Any litigation relating to the
intellectual property rights of third parties, including, but not limited to
the Lemelson Patents, whether or not determined in the Company's favor or
settled by the Company, would at a minimum be costly and could divert the
efforts and attention of the Company's management and technical personnel,
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition or operating results. In the event of any adverse ruling
in any such matter, the Company could be required to pay substantial damages,
which could include treble damages, cease the manufacturing, use and sale of
infringing products, discontinue the use of certain processes or obtain a
license under the intellectual property rights of the third party claiming
infringement. There can be no assurance, however, that a license would be
available on reasonable terms or at all. Any limitations on the Company's
ability to market its products, any delays and costs associated with
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
redesigning its products or payments of license fees to third parties or any
failure by the Company to develop or license a substitute technology on
commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
 
INTERNATIONAL SALES
 
  International sales (including sales to Canada) accounted for 44%, 40% and
41% of revenues in fiscal 1996, fiscal 1997 and the first nine months of
fiscal 1998, respectively. The Company anticipates that international sales
may increase in future periods and may account for an increasing portion of
the Company's revenues. As a result, an increasing portion of the Company's
revenues may be subject to certain risks, including changes in regulatory
requirements, tariffs and other barriers, timing and availability of export
licenses, political and economic instability, difficulties in accounts
receivable collections, natural disasters, difficulties in staffing and
managing foreign subsidiary and branch operations, difficulties in managing
distributors, difficulties in obtaining governmental approvals for
telecommunications and other products, foreign currency exchange fluctuations,
the burden of complying with a wide variety of complex foreign laws and
treaties and potentially adverse tax consequences. Although less than seven
percent of the Company's revenues were attributable to sales in Asia during
the nine months ended December 31, 1997, the recent economic instability in
certain Asian countries could adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results, particularly to the extent that
this instability impacts the sales of products manufactured by the Company's
customers. The Company is also subject to the risks associated with the
imposition of legislation and regulations relating to the import or export of
high technology products. The Company cannot predict whether quotas, duties,
taxes or other charges or restrictions upon the importation or exportation of
the Company's products will be implemented by the United States or other
countries. Because sales of the Company's products have been denominated to
date primarily in United States dollars, increases in the value of the United
States dollar could increase the price of the Company's products so that they
become relatively more expensive to customers in the local currency of a
particular country, leading to a reduction in sales and profitability in that
country. Future international activity may result in increased foreign
currency denominated sales. Gains and losses on the conversion to United
States dollars of accounts receivable, accounts payable and other monetary
assets and liabilities arising from international operations may contribute to
fluctuations in the Company's results of operations. Some of the Company's
customer purchase orders and agreements are governed by foreign laws, which
may differ significantly from United States laws. Therefore, the Company may
be limited in its ability to enforce its rights under such agreements and to
collect damages, if awarded. Any of the foregoing factors could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
 
  The Company is subject to a variety of federal, state and local governmental
regulations related to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of toxic,
volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used in its manufacturing process.
Any failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in the
imposition of fines on the Company, the suspension of production or a
cessation of operations. In addition, such regulations could restrict the
Company's ability to expand its facilities at its present location or
construct or operate its planned wafer fabrication facility or could require
the Company to acquire costly equipment or incur other significant expenses to
comply with environmental regulations or clean up prior discharges. In this
regard, since 1993 the Company has been named as a potentially responsible
party ("PRP") along with a large number of other companies that used Omega
Chemical Corporation ("Omega") in Whittier, California to handle and dispose
of certain hazardous waste material. The Company is a member of a large group
of PRPs that has agreed to fund certain remediation efforts at the Omega site,
which efforts are ongoing. To date, the Company's payment obligations with
respect to such funding efforts have not been material and the Company
believes that its future obligations to fund such efforts will not have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or operating
results. Although the Company believes that it is currently in material
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, there can be no
assurance that the Company is or will be in material compliance with such laws
or regulations or that the Company's future obligations to fund any
remediation efforts, including those at the Omega site, will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results.
 
  The Company uses significant amounts of water throughout its manufacturing
process. Previous droughts in California have resulted in restrictions being
placed on water use by manufacturers and residents in California. In the event
of future drought, reductions in water use may be mandated generally, and it
is unclear how such reductions will be allocated among California's different
users. There can be no assurance that near term reductions in water
allocations to manufacturers will not occur, which could have a material
adverse affect on the Company's business, financial condition or operating
results.
 
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
   
  The offering price for Common Stock to be sold by the Company was determined
by negotiations among the Company and the Underwriters and may bear no
relationship to the price at which the Common Stock will trade after
completion of this offering. See "Underwriting" for factors considered in
determining such offering price. The market price of the Common Stock has
fluctuated significantly to date. In addition, the market price of the Common
Stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to general market
conditions and in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in the Company's
anticipated or actual operating results; announcements or introductions of new
products; technological innovations or setbacks by the Company or its
competitors; conditions in the semiconductor, telecommunications, data
communications, ATE, high-speed computing or military markets; the
commencement of litigation; changes in estimates of the Company's performance
by securities analysts; and other events or factors. In addition, the stock
market in recent years has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations
that have affected the market prices of many high technology companies,
particularly semiconductor companies, and that have often been unrelated or
disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. These
fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, may affect
adversely the market price of the Common Stock. Furthermore, a substantial
portion of the shares of the Company's Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to this offering are held by a large number of individual
stockholders. Substantially all of the Company's outstanding Common Stock will
be eligible for sale in the public market upon the expiration of certain lock-
up agreements, subject in some cases to the volume and other restrictions of
Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act").
These lock-up agreements were entered into between the Underwriters and
certain stockholders in connection with the IPO, which agreements expire at
midnight on May 23, 1998, and between the Underwriters and the selling
stockholders in this offering, which agreements expire 90 days after the
effective date of the registration statement filed pursuant to this offering.
There can be no assurance that sales of Common Stock by such stockholders upon
expiration of the Lock-Up Period will not adversely affect the market price of
the Common Stock or that such affect would not be material. See "-- Shares
Eligible for Future Sale" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."     
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
  Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to
accept only two digit entries in the date code field. These date code fields
will need to accept four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from
20th century dates. As a result, many companies' software and computer systems
may need to be upgraded or replaced in order to comply with such "Year 2000"
requirements. Certain of the Company's internal computer systems are not Year
2000 compliant, and the Company utilizes third-party equipment and software
that may not be Year 2000 compliant. The Company has commenced taking actions
to correct such internal systems and is in the early stages of conducting an
audit of its third-party suppliers as to the Year 2000 compliance of their
systems. Failure of the Company's internal computer systems or of such third-
party equipment or software, or of systems maintained by the Company's
suppliers, to operate properly with regard to the Year 2000 and thereafter
could require the Company to incur unanticipated expenses to remedy any
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
problems, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, the
purchasing patterns of customers or potential customers may be affected by
Year 2000 issues as companies expend significant resources to correct their
current systems for Year 2000 compliance. These expenditures may result in
reduced funds available to purchase the Company's products, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. See "Business--Industry Background."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
   
  Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock (including shares
issued upon the exercise of outstanding options) in the public market
following this offering could adversely affect the market price for the Common
Stock. Such sales could also make it more difficult for the Company to sell
its equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that
the Company deems appropriate. Upon completion of this offering, the Company
will have 22,370,368 shares of Common Stock outstanding (based on the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding at December 31, 1997). The 3,700,000
shares offered hereby will be immediately tradable without restriction. The
6,385,950 shares sold in the IPO are also freely tradeable without
restriction. The 12,284,418 remaining shares of Common Stock outstanding upon
completion of this offering are "restricted securities" as that term is
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act ("Restricted Shares"). Of the
Restricted Shares, approximately 579,000 shares have been eligible for
immediate sale in the public market since the completion of the IPO without
restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, some or all of
which may have been sold in the public market since the completion of the IPO,
and approximately 607,000 shares will be eligible for sale on February 22,
1998 subject, in some cases to volume and other restrictions under Rule 144
and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. As a result of lock-up agreements
between certain stockholders and the Company or the representatives of the
Underwriters (the "Representatives"), which agreements were entered into in
connection with the IPO, approximately 8,934,618 Restricted Shares will not be
available for immediate sale in the public market until May 24, 1998 subject
in some cases to the volume and other restrictions of Rule 144 and Rule 701
under the Securities Act. As a result of lock-up agreements that were entered
into by the selling stockholders in this offering and the Representatives of
the Underwriters in connection with this offering, the remaining approximately
2,163,800 Restricted Shares will not be available for sale in the public
market until the expiration of the 90 day period following the effective date
of this offering, subject in some cases to the volume and other restrictions
of Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. However, BancAmerica
Robertson Stephens may, in its sole discretion and at any time without notice,
release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements.
Shares eligible to be sold by affiliates pursuant to Rule 144 are subject to
volume and other restrictions. The Company has registered the Common Stock to
be issued pursuant to the Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and
intends to register all of the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to
the Company's other employee benefit plans on or about the date approximately
90 days after the IPO Effective Date.     
 
EFFECT OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
  The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 2,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences and
privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without
any further vote or action by the Company's stockholders. The rights of the
holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by,
the rights of the holders of any shares of Preferred Stock that may be issued
in the future. The issuance of Preferred Stock may delay, defer or prevent a
change in control of the Company, as the terms of the Preferred Stock that
might be issued could potentially prohibit the Company's consummation of any
merger, reorganization, sale of substantially all of its assets, liquidation
or other extraordinary corporate transaction without the approval of the
holders of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. In addition, the
issuance of Preferred Stock could have a dilutive effect on stockholders of
the Company. Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, to which the
Company is subject, restricts certain business combinations with any
"interested stockholder" as defined by such statute. The statute may delay,
defer or prevent a change of control of the Company.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
   
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of 1,500,000 shares of Common
Stock offered hereby, at an assumed offering price of $18.50 per share, are
estimated to be $25.8 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The
Company currently expects that approximately $10.0 million of the net proceeds
will be used for the construction of and the purchase of equipment for a
proposed new wafer fabrication facility and that the balance of the net
proceeds will be used for working capital and other general corporate
purposes. The amounts actually expended for each purpose and the timing of
such expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors,
including the amount of costs associated with the expansion of the Company's
manufacturing operations, the rate of revenue growth, the timing and extent of
spending to support research and development programs and expansion of sales
and marketing, the timing of introduction of new products and product
enhancements and market acceptance of the Company's products. The Company
believes that its available cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from
operations, together with the net proceeds of this offering, will be
sufficient to meet its capital requirements through the next 12 months.
However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not require
additional debt, lease or equity financing prior to such time or that such
additional debt, lease or equity financing, if required, will be available
upon terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. The Company may also use a
portion of the proceeds for the acquisition of or investment in complementary
businesses, products or technologies, although no acquisitions are currently
being planned or negotiated as of the date of this Prospectus, and no portion
of the net proceeds has been allocated for any specific acquisition. Pending
such uses, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds from this offering
in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. The Company will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares being offered by the
Selling Stockholders. See "Risks Factors--Need For Additional Capital."     
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
  The Company's Common Stock has been traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol AMCC since the Company's initial public offering on November
25, 1997. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the
Company's Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market for the
periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   HIGH   LOW
                                                                  ------ ------
   <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
   FISCAL 1998
     Third Quarter (from November 25, 1997)...................... $13.50 $ 8.00
     Fourth Quarter (through February 19, 1998).................. $19.75 $12.25
</TABLE>    
   
  The last reported sale price of the Common Stock on February 19, 1998, was
$18.50 per share. As of February 19, 1998, there were approximately 800
holders of record of the Company's Common Stock.     
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company has never declared or paid dividends on its capital stock. The
Company currently anticipates that it will retain all available funds for use
in its business, and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
   
  The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company (i) actual
as of December 31, 1997 and (ii) as adjusted to give effect to the receipt of
the estimated net proceeds from the sale by the Company of 1,500,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby, at an assumed offering price of $18.50 per share,
after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses payable by the Company. This table should be read in
conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                            --------------------
                                                            ACTUAL   AS ADJUSTED
                                                            -------  -----------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>
Current portion of capital lease obligations(1)...........  $ 2,215    $ 2,215
                                                            =======    =======
Long-term capital lease obligations, less current portion.    1,675      1,675
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares au-
   thorized, none issued and outstanding..................       --         --
  Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares autho-
   rized; 20,870,368 shares issued and outstanding, actu-
   al; 22,370,368 shares issued and outstanding, as ad-
   justed(2)..............................................      208        223
  Additional paid-in capital..............................   59,716     85,508
  Deferred compensation...................................     (512)      (512)
  Retained earnings.......................................      444        444
  Notes receivable from stockholders......................     (501)      (501)
                                                            -------    -------
   Total stockholders' equity.............................   59,355     85,162
                                                            -------    -------
    Total capitalization..................................  $61,030    $86,837
                                                            =======    =======
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a description
    of the Company's obligations under capital leases.
(2) Excludes, as of December 31, 1997: (i) 83,309 shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon exercise of options outstanding under the 1982 Plan at a
    weighted average exercise price of $0.54 per share; (ii) 2,080,214 shares
    of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding under the
    1992 Plan at a weighted average exercise price of $1.53 per share;
    (iii) 2,428,464 shares of Common Stock reserved for future issuance under
    the 1992 Plan; (iv) 200,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for future
    issuance under the Directors' Plan; (v) 400,000 shares of Common Stock
    reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan; and (vi) 24,753 shares of
    Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of certain other outstanding
    options at a weighted average exercise price of $0.48 per share. See
    "Management --1982 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan" "--1997
    Directors' Stock Option Plan" and "--1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
    "-- 1992 Stock Option Plan" and Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
    Statements.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The selected consolidated statements of operations data set forth below for
the fiscal years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 (except earnings (loss)
per share data) and the consolidated balance sheet data at March 31, 1996 and
1997 are derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, that are included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations data
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1993 and 1994 and the consolidated
balance sheet data as of March 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 are derived from
consolidated financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, which are not
included in this Prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data at December
31, 1997 and the consolidated statements of operations data for the nine
months ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 are derived from unaudited
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that the Company considers
necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's consolidated financial
position and consolidated results of operations for these periods. Operating
results for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year
ending March 31, 1998. The following selected consolidated financial data
should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial
Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NINE MONTHS
                                                                            ENDED
                                FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,             DECEMBER 31,
                          -------------------------------------------  ---------------
                           1993     1994     1995     1996     1997     1996    1997
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
 OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Net revenues............  $38,296  $49,686  $46,950  $50,264  $57,468  $42,464 $54,874
Cost of revenues........   20,561   29,187   27,513   34,169   30,057   22,800  25,370
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Gross profit............   17,735   20,499   19,437   16,095   27,411   19,664  29,504
Operating expenses:
 Research and develop-
  ment..................    8,617    9,273   10,108    8,283    7,870    5,668   9,339
 Selling, general and
  administrative........    7,799    9,513   10,112   11,232   12,537    8,986  10,260
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
 Total operating ex-
  penses................   16,416   18,786   20,220   19,515   20,407   14,654  19,599
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Operating income (loss).    1,319    1,713     (783)  (3,420)   7,004    5,010   9,905
Gain on contract settle-
 ment...................      --     9,530      --       --       --       --      --
Net interest income (ex-
 pense).................     (308)    (464)    (358)    (242)     (29)       5     294
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Income (loss) before
 provision for income
 taxes..................    1,011   10,779   (1,141)  (3,662)   6,975    5,015  10,199
Provision (benefit) for
 income taxes...........       18      575      (70)      32      659      474     262
                          -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Net income (loss).......  $   993  $10,204  $(1,071) $(3,694) $ 6,316  $ 4,541 $ 9,937
                          =======  =======  =======  =======  =======  ======= =======
Pro forma basic earnings
 (loss) per share(1):
 Earnings (loss) per
  share.................  $  0.06  $  0.60  $ (0.06) $ (0.21) $  0.35  $  0.25 $  0.57
 Shares used in comput-
  ing basic earnings per
  share.................   16,852   16,973   17,194   17,394   17,834   17,824  17,499
Diluted earnings (loss)
 per share(1):
 Earnings (loss) per
  share.................  $  0.06  $  0.60  $ (0.06) $ (0.21) $  0.35  $  0.25 $  0.51
 Shares used in comput-
  ing diluted earnings
  per share.............   17,160   17,099   17,194   17,394   17,907   17,897  19,306
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MARCH 31,
                            --------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31,
                             1993    1994    1995    1996    1997       1997
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 DATA:
Working capital...........  $11,338 $19,867 $16,753 $13,977 $19,364   $44,695
Total assets..............   26,585  45,124  40,180  37,836  41,814    73,857
Long-term obligations,
 less current portion.....    3,632   7,493   6,516   4,447   3,192     1,675
Total stockholders' equi-
 ty.......................   15,523  25,829  24,805  21,512  27,743    59,355
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The income (loss) per share information was computed applying the
    requirements of recently effective Statement of Financial Accounting
    Standards No. 128 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 98. See Note 1 of
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the
    method used to determine the number of shares used to compute the earnings
    (loss) per share amounts.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
               OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following discussion of the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain
factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under "Risk Factors"
and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  AMCC designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-
bandwidth silicon solutions for the world's communications infrastructure. The
Company tailors solutions to customer and market requirements by using a
combination of high-frequency, mixed-signal design expertise, system-level
knowledge and multiple silicon process technologies. AMCC believes that its
internal bipolar and BiCMOS processes, complemented by advanced CMOS processes
from external foundries, enable the Company to offer high-performance, high-
speed solutions optimized for specific applications and customer requirements.
The Company further believes that its products provide significant cost,
power, performance and reliability advantages for systems OEMs in addition to
accelerating time-to-market. The Company also leverages its technology to
provide products for the automated test equipment ("ATE"), high-speed
computing and military markets.
 
  Since inception, the Company has focused primarily on the design,
manufacture and sale of high-performance silicon integrated circuits ("ICs").
The Company's first significant revenues were derived from sales of high-speed
application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs") to military and ATE
customers. The Company subsequently utilized its high-performance mixed-signal
design and process technologies to diversify into the telecommunications and
high-speed computing markets and, more recently, the data communications
market. Commencing in fiscal 1992, the Company adopted a strategy in which
much of its next-generation technology and products were based on a process
under development with a strategic foundry partner. In fiscal 1994, the
strategic partner elected to end this relationship and paid the Company $10.0
million in connection with termination of the proposed foundry relationship.
In fiscal 1995, the Company redirected its strategy to concentrate on the
development of application-specific standard products ("ASSPs") for the high-
performance telecommunications and high-speed computing markets. As a result
of the termination of the relationship with the strategic partner, decreased
orders from two major customers, charges associated with reductions in the
Company's work force of approximately $626,000 in fiscal 1995 and charges
taken for excess inventories of approximately $3.7 million in fiscal 1996 the
Company had fluctuating revenues and incurred net losses in fiscal 1995 and
1996.
 
  In fiscal 1997, the Company substantially reorganized its management team
and increased its focus on becoming the leading supplier of high-performance,
high-bandwidth connectivity ICs for the world's communications infrastructure.
Accordingly, the Company accelerated the pace of development of new products
for high-performance telecommunications and data communications markets.
Following the reorganization of the Company's management team in fiscal 1997
and its renewed focus on ASSPs for the telecommunications and data
communications markets, the Company returned to profitability and its revenues
have increased in each of the last seven fiscal quarters.
 
  The Company derives its revenues principally through product sales, which
are recognized upon shipment to customers. Revenues from sales to distributors
that are made under agreements allowing for price protection and right of
return on products unsold by the distributor are not recognized until the
distributor ships the product to its customer. The Company also derives a
small portion of its revenues from non-recurring engineering contracts, which
revenues are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
All international sales are denominated in United States dollars. In December
1997, the Company completed the initial public offering of its Common Stock,
which raised net proceeds of approximately $25.1 million.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth certain selected consolidated statements of
operations data as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                            FISCAL YEAR             ENDED
                                          ENDED MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                         ---------------------  --------------
                                         1995    1996    1997    1996    1997
                                         -----   -----   -----  ------  ------
<S>                                      <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
Net revenues............................ 100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of revenues........................  58.6    68.0    52.3    53.7    46.2
                                         -----   -----   -----  ------  ------
Gross profit............................  41.4    32.0    47.7    46.3    53.8
Operating expenses:
  Research and development..............  21.5    16.5    13.7    13.3    17.0
  Selling, general and administrative...  21.6    22.3    21.8    21.2    18.7
                                         -----   -----   -----  ------  ------
    Total operating expenses............  43.1    38.8    35.5    34.5    35.7
                                         -----   -----   -----  ------  ------
Operating income (loss).................  (1.7)   (6.8)   12.2    11.8    18.1
Net interest income (expense)...........  (0.7)   (0.5)   (0.1)    --      0.5
                                         -----   -----   -----  ------  ------
Income (loss) before provision for in-
 come taxes.............................  (2.4)   (7.3)   12.1    11.8    18.6
Provision (benefit) for income taxes....  (0.1)    0.0     1.1     1.1     0.5
                                         -----   -----   -----  ------  ------
Net income (loss).......................  (2.3)%  (7.3)%  11.0%   10.7%   18.1%
                                         =====   =====   =====  ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
COMPARISON OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
  Net Revenues. Net revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 were
approximately $54.9 million, representing an increase of 29% over net revenues
of approximately $42.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 1996.
Revenues from sales of communications products increased from 43% of net
revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 1996 to 47% of net revenues
for the nine months ended December 31, 1997, reflecting unit growth in
shipments of existing products, as well as the introduction of new products
for these markets. Revenues from sales of products to other markets,
consisting of the ATE, high-speed computing and military markets, decreased
from 57% of net revenues during the nine months ended December 31, 1996, to
53% of net revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 although
revenues from sales to these other markets increased in absolute dollars. The
increase in absolute dollars in revenues attributed to these other markets was
primarily due to an increase in shipments of PCI bus products for high speed
computing applications and to increased shipments of products to the ATE
market. Sales to Nortel accounted for 20% and 21% of net revenues for the nine
months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Sales outside of North
America accounted for 24% and 21% of net revenues for the nine months ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Although less than seven percent of
the Company's revenues were attributable to sales in Asia during the nine
months ended December 31, 1997, the recent economic instability in certain
Asian countries could adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results, particularly to the extent that this
instability impacts the sales of products manufactured by the Company's
customers. See "Risk Factors--International Sales."
 
  Gross Margin. In addition to the costs of internal wafer fabrication and the
costs of procuring wafers and finished goods from external foundries, the
Company's cost of revenues includes costs associated with packaging, assembly,
testing, procurement and quality assurance functions, some of which are
performed by third-party vendors. Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage
of revenues) was 53.8% for the nine months ended December 31, 1997, as
compared to 46.3% for the nine months ended December 31, 1996. The increase in
gross margin resulted from increased utilization of the Company's wafer
fabrication facility, as well as improved manufacturing
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
yields. The Company's gross margin is primarily impacted by factory
utilization, wafer yields and product mix. Although AMCC does not expect its
gross margin to continue to increase at the rate reflected above, its strategy
is to maximize factory utilization whenever possible, maintain or improve its
manufacturing yields, and focus on the development and sales of high-
performance products that can have higher gross margins. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in achieving these
objectives. In addition, these factors can vary significantly from quarter to
quarter, which would likely result in fluctuations in quarterly gross margin
and net income. See "Risk Factors -- Fluctuations in Operating Results."
   
  Research and Development. Research and development ("R&D") expenses consist
primarily of compensation and associated costs relating to new product
development and new process development. These costs include design and
process engineering costs, design tools and prototyping costs (including non-
recurring engineering charges from foundries) and photomask and pre-production
wafer costs. R&D expenditures are expensed as incurred. R&D expenses increased
to approximately $9.3 million, or 17.0% of revenues, for the nine months ended
December 31, 1997, from approximately $5.7 million, or 13.3% of net revenues,
for the nine months ended December 31, 1996. The increase in R&D expenses was
due to accelerated new product and process development efforts, including
additions to the Company's engineering staff and related expenses as well as
increased prototyping costs. The Company expects R&D expenses to increase in
absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues in the future due to
planned increases in personnel, prototyping costs and depreciation resulting
from increased capital investment for process development and design tools.
Currently, R&D expenses are primarily focused on the development of products
for the telecommunications and data communications markets, and the Company
expects to continue this focus.     
 
  Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative
("SG&A") expenses consist primarily of compensation for sales, marketing and
administrative personnel, commissions paid to third-party sales
representatives and expenses associated with product promotion. SG&A expenses
were approximately $10.3 million, or 18.7% of revenues, for the nine months
ended December 31, 1997, as compared to approximately $9.0 million, or 21.2%
of net revenues, for the nine months ended December 31, 1996. The increase in
SG&A expenses in the nine months ended December 31, 1997 primarily reflected
an increase of $229,000 in compensation costs, a $363,000 increase in
commissions earned by third-party sales representatives, a $157,000 increase
in its provision for doubtful accounts due to the Company's expanding customer
base and a $146,000 increase in product promotion expenses. The decrease in
SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues in the nine months ended
December 31, 1997 was a result of net revenues increasing more rapidly than
SG&A expenses. The Company expects SG&A expenses to increase in the future due
principally to additional staffing in its sales and marketing departments and
additional expenses related to being a public company.
 
  Net Interest Income. Net interest income consists of interest income
generated from the Company's cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments, net of interest expense paid on the Company's debt and capital
lease obligations. Net interest income increased to $294,000 for the nine
months ended December 31, 1997 from $5,000 for the nine months ended December
31, 1996, reflecting interest income from larger cash and short-term
investment balances during the nine months ended December 31, 1997 and a
decrease in interest expense associated with outstanding capital lease and
debt obligations.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company's estimated annual effective tax rate used for the
nine months ended December 31, 1997 was 2.6% due to the reduction of a
valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. This reduction
results from the projected level of income for fiscal 1998, which makes the
realization of these deferred tax assets more likely than not. The effective
tax rate of 9.5% for the nine months ended December 31, 1996 was a result of
alternative minimum taxes ("AMT"). The Company expects its effective tax rate
to be closer to statutory rates in fiscal 1999.
 
  Deferred Compensation. In connection with the grant of certain stock options
to employees during the six months ended September 30, 1997, the Company
recorded aggregate deferred compensation of $599,000, representing the
difference between the deemed fair value of the Common Stock at the date of
grant for
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
accounting purposes and the option exercise price of such options. Such amount
is presented as a reduction of stockholders' equity and amortized ratably over
the vesting period of the applicable options. Amortization of deferred
compensation recorded for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 was $87,000.
The Company currently expects to record amortization of deferred compensation
with respect to these option grants of approximately $127,000, $159,000,
$159,000, $129,000 and $25,000 during the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998
(including the amount set forth above for the nine months ended December,
1997), 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.
 
  Backlog. The Company's sales are made primarily pursuant to standard
purchase orders for delivery of products. Quantities of the Company's products
to be delivered and delivery schedules are frequently revised to reflect
changes in customer needs, and customer orders can be canceled or rescheduled
without significant penalty to the customer. For these reasons, the Company's
backlog as of any particular date is not representative of actual sales for
any succeeding period, and the Company therefore believes that backlog is not
a good indicator of future revenue. The Company's backlog for products
scheduled to be shipped and non-recurring engineering services to be completed
in the next six months was $28.2 million on December 31, 1997, compared to
$18.7 million on December 31, 1996. See "Risk Factors--Fluctuations in
Operating Results."
 
  Year 2000 Compliance. Certain of the Company's internal computer systems are
not Year 2000 compliant and the Company utilizes third-party equipment and
software that may not be Year 2000 compliant. The Company has commenced taking
actions to correct such internal systems and is in the early stages of
conducting an audit of its third-party suppliers as to the Year 2000
compliance of their systems. The Company does not believe that the cost of
these actions will have a material adverse affect on the Company's business,
financial condition or operating results. However, there can be no assurance
that a failure of the Company's internal computer systems or of third-party
equipment or software used by the Company, or of systems maintained by the
Company's suppliers, to be Year 2000 compliant will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or operating
results. In addition, there can be no assurance that adverse changes in the
purchasing patterns of the Company's customers or potential customers as a
result of Year 2000 issues affecting such customers will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations. See "Risk Factors--Year 2000 Compliance."
 
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
  Net Revenues. Net revenues for fiscal 1997 increased to approximately $57.5
million from approximately $50.3 million in fiscal 1996 and $47.0 million in
fiscal 1995. Revenues from sales of communications products increased from 32%
of net revenues in fiscal 1995 to 41% of net revenues in fiscal 1996 and 44%
of net revenues in fiscal 1997, reflecting unit growth in shipments of
existing products, as well as the introduction of new products for the
communications market. Revenues from sales of products to other markets
decreased from 68% of net revenues in fiscal 1995 to 59% of net revenues in
fiscal 1996 and to 56% of net revenues in fiscal 1997. In fiscal 1997, 1996
and 1995, sales to Nortel accounted for 20%, 20% and 17%, respectively, of net
revenues. Sales to customers outside of North America accounted for 21%, 24%
and 14% of net revenues in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
reflecting an increase in revenues from sales to such customers, but
fluctuating percentages of net revenues. The Company is focused on increasing
the percentage of net revenues derived from sales to customers outside of
North America.
 
  Gross Margin. Gross margin was 47.7%, 32.0% and 41.4% in fiscal 1997, 1996
and 1995, respectively. The decrease in gross margin in fiscal 1996 was
attributable primarily to a decrease in the utilization of the Company's wafer
fabrication facility, as well as an approximately $3.7 million charge taken
for excess inventory, primarily of clock products for the high-speed computing
market. In addition, decreases in average selling prices ("ASPs") for clock
products also contributed to the decrease in gross margin in fiscal 1996. The
increase in gross margin in fiscal 1997 resulted primarily from a significant
reduction in charges related to excess inventory, as well as from increased
utilization of the Company's wafer fabrication facility. See "Risk Factors --
 Fluctuations in Operating Results."
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
  Research and Development. R&D expenses were approximately $7.9 million, $8.3
million and $10.1 million in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. R&D
expenses accounted for 13.7%, 16.5% and 21.5% of net revenues for fiscal 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. The decrease in R&D expenses in fiscal 1996 was
due primarily to a $445,000 decrease in payroll and other costs associated
with reductions in the Company's research and development engineering staff
and to a decrease in prototyping costs of approximately $400,000. The decrease
in R&D expense in fiscal 1997 was primarily due to a decrease of $315,000 in
prototyping costs. During fiscal 1997, the Company began significant efforts
to increase the R&D staff and to accelerate new product development efforts.
These efforts resulted in higher R&D expenses beginning in the quarter ended
December 31, 1996.
 
  Selling, General and Administrative. SG&A expenses were approximately $12.5
million, $11.2 million and $10.1 million in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. SG&A expenses accounted for 21.8%, 22.3% and 21.6% of revenues
for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase in SG&A expenses in
fiscal 1996 was primarily due to $1.1 million of charges related to the
turnover of executive personnel and $500,000 of costs associated with
implementing a comprehensive management information system, offset by
decreases in certain other expenses. SG&A expenses increased in fiscal 1997
primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in compensation expenses and a
$300,000 increase in product promotion expenses, offset by decreases in
certain other expenses.
 
  Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $29,000, $242,000 and
$358,000 in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The decreases in net
interest expense were attributable primarily to decreasing levels of capital
lease and debt obligations over the three-year period and to increases in
interest income as a result of increasing levels of cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments.
 
  Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate for fiscal 1997 was 9.5%,
which was comprised primarily of AMT reduced by net operating loss and
research and development tax credits. The tax provision (benefit) for fiscal
1996 and 1995 were not material due to losses incurred during those fiscal
years.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly consolidated
financial information in dollars and as a percentage of revenues for the seven
fiscal quarters ended December 31, 1997. The Company believes that all
necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have
been included in the amounts stated below to state fairly the selected
quarterly information when read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere herein. The operating
results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any
future period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    QUARTER ENDED
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------
                          JUNE 30,  SEPT. 30, DEC. 31,  MARCH 31, JUNE 30,  SEPT. 30, DEC. 31,
                            1996      1996      1996      1997      1997      1997      1997
                          --------  --------- --------  --------- --------  --------- --------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
 OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues............  $13,845    $14,110  $14,509    $15,004  $17,053    $18,155  $19,666
Cost of revenues........    7,682      8,072    7,046      7,257    8,156      8,378    8,836
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Gross profit............    6,163      6,038    7,463      7,747    8,897      9,777   10,830
Operating expenses:
 Research and develop-
  ment..................    1,797      1,615    2,256      2,202    2,525      3,477    3,337
 Selling, general and
  administrative........    2,917      2,977    3,092      3,551    3,339      3,391    3,530
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
    Total operating ex-
     penses.............    4,714      4,592    5,348      5,753    5,864      6,868    6,867
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Operating income........    1,449      1,446    2,115      1,994    3,033      2,909    3,963
Net interest income (ex-
 pense).................      (17)        41      (19)       (34)      66         85      143
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Income before provisions
 for income taxes.......    1,432      1,487    2,096      1,960    3,099      2,994    4,106
Provision for income
 taxes..................      135        141      198        185       81         78      103
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Net income..............  $ 1,297    $ 1,346  $ 1,898    $ 1,775  $ 3,018    $ 2,916  $ 4,003
                          =======    =======  =======    =======  =======    =======  =======
AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET
 REVENUES:
Net revenues............    100.0%     100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%
Cost of revenues........     55.5       57.2     48.6       48.4     47.8       46.1     44.9
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Gross profit............     44.5       42.8     51.4       51.6     52.2       53.9     55.1
Operating expenses:
 Research and develop-
  ment..................     13.0       11.4     15.5       14.7     14.8       19.2     17.0
 Selling, general and
  administrative........     21.1       21.1     21.3       23.6     19.6       18.7     17.9
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
    Total operating ex-
     penses.............     34.1       32.5     36.8       38.3     34.4       37.9     34.9
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Operating income........     10.4       10.3     14.6       13.3     17.8       16.0     20.2
Net interest income (ex-
 pense).................     (0.0)       0.2     (0.1)      (0.2)     0.4        0.5      0.7
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Income before provisions
 for income taxes.......     10.4       10.5     14.5       13.1     18.2       16.5     20.9
Provision for income
 taxes..................      1.0        1.0      1.4        1.3      0.5        0.4      0.5
                          -------    -------  -------    -------  -------    -------  -------
Net income..............      9.4%       9.5%    13.1%      11.8%    17.7%      16.1%    20.4%
                          =======    =======  =======    =======  =======    =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's net revenues have increased in each of the seven quarters
ended December 31, 1997, primarily due to increased unit shipments of the
Company's products as well as the introduction of new products primarily for
the communications market. Although gross margin has fluctuated, it generally
increased over this period as increased utilization of the Company's wafer
fabrication facility resulted in decreased per unit costs. The decrease in
gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 1996 was principally due
to a decrease in manufacturing yields during that quarter, which adversely
impacted the Company's gross profit during the quarter by approximately
$600,000. This decrease in manufacturing yields was primarily due to the
Company increasing volume production of a single product at less than normal
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
production yields in support of a customer's delivery requirements. The
increase in gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 1996 and
subsequent quarters was primarily due to improved yields and increased
utilization of the Company's wafer fabrication facility. There can be no
assurance that this trend will continue. Although R&D expenses fluctuated both
in actual amounts and as a percentage of revenues, R&D expenses generally
increased over this period as the Company increased its engineering staff and
accelerated new product development efforts. In particular, the increase in
R&D expenses for the three months ended December 31, 1996 primarily reflected
increased recruiting, relocation and compensation expenses for development
personnel, as well as prototyping costs related to new product development.
The level of R&D expenses increased significantly again in the three months
ended September 30, 1997 due to expenses associated with increases in
engineering staff and to increased prototyping expenses. R&D expenses
decreased in the three months ended December 31, 1997 due to lower recruiting
and relocation expenses partially offset by higher compensation costs for
development personnel and increased prototyping costs. The Company believes
R&D expenses will increase in absolute dollars and as a percentage of net
revenues in the future. SG&A expenses remained relatively stable over this
period, except in the three months ended March 31, 1997. The increase in SG&A
expenses in the three months ended March 31, 1997 reflected, in particular,
expenditures for product promotion. The increase in SG&A expenses in the three
months ended December 31, 1997 resulted from higher costs associated with
increases in sales and marketing personnel. In the three months ended
September 30, 1997, costs associated with moving the Company's administration,
engineering, test and assembly operations to a new facility contributed to
increases in cost of revenues, SG&A and R&D expenses.
   
  The Company's quarterly results of operations have varied significantly in
the past and may continue to do so in the future. These variations have been,
and may in the future be, due to a number of factors, any of which could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations. These factors include, but are not limited to: the
rescheduling or cancellation of orders by customers; fluctuations in the
timing and amount of customer requests for product shipments; fluctuations in
manufacturing yields and inventory levels; changes in product mix; the
Company's ability to introduce new products and technologies on a timely
basis; the introduction of products and technologies by the Company's
competitors; the availability of external foundry capacity, purchased parts
and raw materials; competitive pressures on selling prices; the timing of
investments in research and development; market acceptance of the Company's
and its customers' products; the timing of depreciation and other expenses to
be incurred by the Company in connection with the expansion of its existing
manufacturing facility and in connection with its proposed new manufacturing
facility; the timing and amount of recruiting and relocation expenses,
prototyping costs and product promotional expenses; costs associated with
future litigation, if any, including without limitation, litigation relating
to the use or ownership of intellectual property; costs associated with
compliance with applicable environmental regulations; general semiconductor
industry conditions; and general economic conditions, including, but not
limited to, economic conditions in Asia. Historically, average selling prices
in the semiconductor industry have decreased over the life of a product, and
as a result, the average selling prices of the Company's products may be
subject to significant pricing pressures in the future. Because the Company is
continuing to increase its operating expenses for personnel and new product
development, and because the Company is limited in its availability to reduce
expenses quickly in response to any revenue short falls, the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results would be adversely
affected if increased sales are not achieved. In addition, the Company's
operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts or
investors, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price of
the Common Stock. See "Risk Factors -- Fluctuations in Operating Results," "--
 Manufacturing Yields," "-- Risks Associated with Increasing Dependence on
Telecommunications and Data Communications Markets and Increasing Dependence
on Application-Specific Standard Products," "-- Risks Associated with
Dependence on High-Speed Computing Market," "-- Rapid Technological Change;
Necessity to Develop and Introduce New Products," "-- Manufacturing Capacity
Limitations; New Production Facility," "-- Transition to New Process
Technologies," "-- Customer Concentration," "-- Intense Competition," "--
 Management of Growth" and "-- International Sales."     
 
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  The Company's principal sources of liquidity as of December 31, 1997
consisted of $36.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments and a $900,000 loan commitment to finance the purchase of
fabrication equipment currently expected to occur prior to the end of fiscal
1998. The loan commitment, if used, will have an interest rate of LIBOR plus
0.2% and will be due in 60 monthly installments of equal principal plus
interest in arrears, and will be secured by the fabrication equipment. Working
capital as of December 31, 1997 was $44.7 million compared to $19.4 million as
of March 31, 1997. This increase in working capital was primarily due to the
$25.1 million net proceeds from the IPO, and cash provided by operations
offset by the repurchase of certain shares of the Company's Preferred Stock.
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the nine
months ended December 31, 1997, the Company financed its operations primarily
through cash provided by operations and equipment lease financing.
 
  During the nine months ended December 31, 1997, the Company generated $11.8
million of cash from operating activities, compared to $8.2 million in the
nine months ended December 31, 1996. The increase in cash provided by
operating activities was primarily due to the increase in profitability. For
the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, net cash provided by
operating activities was $11.7 million, $6.7 million and $1.4 million,
respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 1997
primarily reflected net income before depreciation and amortization expense.
Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 1996 differed from the net
loss primarily due to adjustments for depreciation and amortization expense, a
reduction in inventory levels and an increase in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 1995 differed
from the net loss primarily due to adjustments for depreciation and
amortization expense and reduction of accounts receivable, partially offset by
funding of increased levels of inventories and reduction of accounts payable
and accrued liabilities.
 
  Capital expenditures totalled $4.1 million, $2.6 million and $6.2 million
for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, of which $1.2 million, $1.2
million and $3.4 million for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were
financed using capital leases. During the nine months ended December 31, 1997,
capital expenditures totalled $8.4 million, of which approximately $282,000
was financed by capital leases. The Company intends to increase its capital
expenditures for manufacturing equipment, test equipment and computer hardware
and software. The Company is in the process of expanding the manufacturing
capacity of its existing fabrication facility. The Company anticipates that an
additional $15.0 million will be spent on this expansion and the purchase of
equipment and leasehold improvements related thereto. The Company plans to
finance this expansion through a combination of available cash, cash
equivalents and short term investments, cash from operations and debt and
lease financing. The Company currently expects to spend approximately $26.0
million on capital expenditures in the last quarter of fiscal 1998 and fiscal
1999, of which approximately $12.0 million will be related to the expansion.
The Company also plans to initiate construction of a new six-inch wafer
fabrication facility during fiscal 1999 and to complete the physical plant
during 2000. The Company believes the new facility will not begin commercial
production prior to late 2000. The Company estimates that the cost of the new
wafer fabrication facility will be at least $80.0 million, of which
approximately $30.0 million relates to the purchase of land and construction
of the facility and at least $50.0 million relates to capital equipment
purchases. The Company plans to finance the new wafer fabrication facility
through a combination of available cash, cash equivalents and short term
investments, cash from operations, debt and lease financing and approximately
$24.0 million of the net proceeds of this offering and the IPO. The Company is
also exploring other alternatives for the expansion of its manufacturing
capacity, including purchasing a wafer fabrication facility and entering into
strategic relationships to obtain additional capacity. Although the Company
believes that it will be able to obtain financing for a significant portion of
the planned capital expenditures at competitive rates and terms from its
existing and new financing sources, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in these efforts or that the new facility will be completed
and in volume production within its current budget or within the period
currently scheduled by the Company. Furthermore, there can be no assurance
that other alternatives to constructing a new wafer fabrication facility will
be available on a timely basis or at all. See "Risk Factors -- Manufacturing
Capacity Limitations; New Production
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
Facility," "--  Dependence on Third-Party Manufacturing and Supply
Relationships" and "-- Need For Additional Capital."
 
  With the exception of the approximately $25.1 million in net proceeds from
the IPO, the Company has not raised financing from sales of equity (other than
option exercises under employee stock plans) since September 1987, and as a
financing strategy has used cash flow from operating activities and equipment
debt and lease financing. In June 1997, the Company repurchased 172,300 shares
of Preferred Stock (convertible into 2,119,435 shares of Common Stock) for
approximately $3.9 million.
 
  The Company believes that the net proceeds of this offering, together with
its available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and cash
generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company's capital
requirements for the next 12 months, although the Company could be required,
or could elect, to seek to raise additional capital during such period. The
Company expects that it will need to raise additional debt or equity financing
in the future. There can be no assurance that such additional debt or equity
financing will be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. See
"Risk Factors -- Need for Additional Capital" and "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
  The following discussion of the Company's business contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results
may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to,
those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  AMCC designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-
bandwidth silicon solutions for the world's communications infrastructure. The
Company utilizes a combination of high-frequency mixed-signal design
expertise, system-level knowledge and multiple silicon process technologies to
offer IC products for the telecommunications markets that address the
SONET/SDH and ATM transmission standards and for the data communications
markets that address the Gigabit Ethernet, ATM and Fibre Channel transmission
standards. The Company also leverages its technology to provide solutions for
the ATE, high-speed computing and military markets. Customers of the Company
include 3Com, Alcatel, Cisco Systems, Compaq, Hughes Electronics, Nortel, Sun
Microsystems and Teradyne.
 
  The Company has developed multiple generations of many of its products. In
the telecommunications market, the Company provides ATM and SONET/SDH physical
layer transceivers and Clock Recovery and Synthesis Units for the OC-3 and OC-
12 standards, and is currently developing an OC-48 chip set. In the data
communications market, the Company provides physical layer transceivers for
Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel applications as well as crosspoint switches
for serial backplanes. In the high-speed computing market, the Company
provides PCI controllers and high-frequency clock drivers and clock
generators. In addition, the Company also provides high-performance, low-power
application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") products for the ATE and
military markets.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
 The Communications Industry
 
  Communications technology has evolved from simple analog voice signals
transmitted over networks of copper telephone lines to complex analog and
digital voice and data transmitted over hybrid networks of media such as
copper, coaxial and fiber optic cables. This evolution has been driven by
enormous increases in the number of users and the complexity of the data types
transmitted over networks. In addition, the substantial growth in the
Internet, the World Wide Web and cellular and facsimile communications; the
emergence of new applications such as video conferencing; and the increase in
demand for remote network access and higher speed, higher bandwidth
communication between local area networks and local and wide area networks
have increased network bandwidth requirements. This increase has made current
systems architectures inadequate.
 
  In the telecommunications market, service providers and equipment suppliers
in particular have been impacted by the inadequacy of systems architectures
caused by the current public network infrastructure. This infrastructure was
designed to optimize voice communications and is not well suited for the high-
throughput requirements of data transmission that is transmitted in "bursts."
The volume and complexity of this data has led to the increasing deployment of
fiber optic technology for use in wide area networks ("WANs"). This technology
has substantially greater transmission capacity and is less error prone and
easier to maintain than copper networks. The Synchronous Optical Network
("SONET") standard in North America, and the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
("SDH") standard in the rest of the world, have emerged as the standards for
the transmission of signals over optical fiber. The SONET/SDH standards
facilitate high data integrity and improved network reliability, while
reducing maintenance and other operation costs by standardizing
interoperability among equipment from different vendors. A transmission
standard complementary to SONET/SDH, Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM"), has
emerged to optimize bandwidth utilization. ATM
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
is a network transmission standard that packages data and reduces network
delays, enabling the support of not only data traffic, but delay-sensitive
voice, video and imaging applications.
 
  In the data communications market, similar bandwidth issues have arisen as
the convergence of the LAN and WAN as well as the greater computational power
of PCs have enabled powerful network applications such as video conferencing
and Web communications. However, these new applications and the increasing
number of computers on networks have significantly increased the volume of
data traffic and, as a result, the network has now become the bottleneck in
the delivery of integrated video, audio and data. Ethernet is currently the
most widespread LAN standard, operating at 10 to 100 megabits per second.
However, LAN backbones are rapidly being upgraded to Gigabit Ethernet and ATM
in order to increase available bandwidth. These network protocols, which
enable expanded bandwidth in excess of one gigabit per second, are emerging as
the new standards for LAN backbones. In addition, the Fibre Channel standard,
which also facilitates data transmission at rates exceeding one gigabit per
second, has emerged as a practical, cost-effective and expandable method for
achieving high-speed, high-volume data transfer among workstations,
mainframes, data storage devices and other peripherals. Fibre Channel and
Gigabit Ethernet are complementary and compatible transmission standards, and
the emergence of Gigabit Ethernet has accelerated the growth of the Fibre
Channel standard.
 
 The Communications IC Opportunity
 
  In order to address the growing requirements of communications networks,
equipment suppliers are having to develop and introduce increasingly
sophisticated systems at a rapid rate. To achieve the performance and
functionality required by such systems, these OEMs must utilize increasingly
complex integrated circuits ("ICs"), which now account for a larger portion of
the value-added proprietary content of such systems. As a result of the rapid
pace of new product introductions, the proliferation of standards to be
accommodated and the difficulty of designing and producing requisite ICs,
equipment suppliers increasingly outsource these ICs to semiconductor firms
with specialized expertise. These trends have created a significant
opportunity for IC suppliers that can design cost-effective solutions for the
transmission of high-frequency data. Dataquest estimates that the worldwide
SONET/SDH markets for ICs were approximately $240 million in 1996 and will
increase to approximately $700 million in 2000, and that the ATM markets for
ICs were approximately $130 million in 1996 and will increase to approximately
$700 million in 2000. The Fibre Channel and Gigabit Ethernet markets were
relatively small in 1996 and Dataquest estimates that such combined markets
will be approximately $300 million in 2000.
 
  IC suppliers must utilize a variety of skills and technologies to satisfy
the requirements of communications equipment OEMs. These OEMs require IC
suppliers that possess system-level expertise and can quickly bring to market
high-performance, highly reliable, power-efficient ICs. Additionally, these
OEMs seek suppliers with both analog and digital expertise to provide high-
frequency, mixed-signal solutions to bridge the analog physical world and the
digital computing environment. In particular, telecommunications OEMs require
IC suppliers to provide solutions that minimize jitter (a measure of the
stability and crispness of a signal), which degrades transmission quality over
distance. Data communications products typically have substantially shorter
life cycles than telecommunications products, and the rate of new product
introductions is very high. Therefore, data communications OEMs specifically
require IC suppliers that can provide IC solutions that accommodate these
increased time-to-market demands. Furthermore, the data communications market
is highly cost driven and generally involves large volumes. Therefore, OEMs in
this market require IC suppliers that can provide increasingly lower cost IC
solutions that can quickly be ramped into high-volume production.
 
  In the high-performance IC market, a number of process technologies are used
to produce ICs. Traditionally, designers have relied on silicon-based
manufacturing process technologies for the development of high-speed, mixed-
signal analog and digital circuits with precision timing. In some cases, OEMs
utilize discrete components or IC solutions based on non-silicon processes
such as gallium arsenide ("GaAs") to meet the high-frequency requirements of
certain communications products. However, non-silicon processes tend
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
to be more expensive, less predictable with respect to yields and less able to
ramp to high-volume production than silicon processes.
 
 The Automated Test Equipment Industry
 
  Automated test equipment ("ATE") is used for the comprehensive testing of
ICs, printed circuit boards and electronic systems. Increasing worldwide
demand for ICs has led to a corresponding increase in the demand for IC test
equipment. IC manufacturers continue to increase the pace of introduction of
increasingly complex and higher speed ICs. Thus, ATE OEMs must provide new
systems that are capable of testing ICs and electronic systems with
increasingly higher frequencies and that are introduced rapidly enough to
support the increased pace at which new ICs and electronic systems are being
introduced. In addition, very accurate timing, utilizing precision analog
verniers, is critical for the testing of today's advanced microprocessors and
other ICs. Furthermore, ATE OEMs differentiate their systems and optimize
speed and timing performance through the use of customized ICs. Accordingly,
ATE OEMs require IC suppliers that possess the combination of ASIC
methodologies, high-performance process technologies and high-speed, mixed-
signal design expertise that can deliver ICs with the requisite speeds and
precision timing. Generally, ATE equipment requires ICs that operate at faster
speeds and have more precise timing than the ICs being tested. This need for
speed and precision timing requires that IC suppliers use high-performance
processors that are similar to the high-performance processes required to
service the advanced telecommunications market. Finally, ATE OEMs require IC
suppliers that deliver timely solutions, enabling the OEMs to satisfy their
increasingly rapid time-to-market requirements. In today's environment, there
are declining numbers of IC suppliers that satisfy these requirements.
 
 The High-Speed Computing Industry
 
  Increasing worldwide demand for high-performance computing equipment has led
to a corresponding increase in the demand for ICs for the high-speed computing
industry. High-speed computing equipment manufacturers must deliver increased
computational performance that is compatible with, and driven by, rapidly
increasing microprocessor speeds. The peripheral devices that communicate with
the computer processor must keep pace with the processor to enable the system
to deliver optimal performance. The pace of new product introductions in this
industry continues to accelerate, and product life cycles continue to shorten.
As a result, a premium is placed on time-to-market. High-performance computing
equipment manufacturers must rely on suppliers of cost-effective, increasingly
complex, standard ICs that can be designed, produced and delivered in time to
meet rapidly changing market demands.
 
AMCC SOLUTION
 
  AMCC designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-
bandwidth silicon solutions for the world's communications infrastructure. The
Company tailors solutions to customer and market requirements by utilizing a
combination of high-frequency mixed-signal design expertise, system-level
knowledge and multiple process technologies. AMCC believes that its internal
bipolar and BiCMOS processes, complemented by advanced CMOS processes from
external foundries, enable the Company to offer high-performance, high-
frequency solutions optimized for specific applications and customer
requirements. By using its proven silicon-based processes and extensive design
libraries, the Company is able to offer products that provide significant
cost, power, performance and reliability advantages for communications systems
OEMs. In addition, this enables the Company to accelerate its time-to-market
as well as quickly ramp into high-volume production. The Company also
leverages its technology to provide solutions for the ATE, high-speed
computing and military markets.
 
  In the telecommunications market, the Company provides IC products for the
SONET/SDH and ATM standards. The Company's customers in the telecommunications
market include Alcatel, ECI, GPT, Lucent, Nortel and SAT. In the data
communications market, the Company supplies products targeted at Gigabit
Ethernet, ATM and Fibre Channel applications. The Company's customers in this
market include 3Com,
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
Cabletron Systems, Cisco Systems, Compaq, Fujikura and Vixel. In the ATE
market, the Company provides high-speed products for memory, mixed-signal and
logic testers. The Company's ATE customers include Hewlett-Packard, LTX,
Schlumberger, Teradyne and Texas Instruments. Finally, in the high-speed
computing market, the Company supplies PCI bus controllers as well as
precision timing products. The Company's customers for this market include
Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard and NEC. The Company has developed multiple
generations of many of its products and has maintained long-term relationships
with many of its customers.
 
STRATEGY
 
  AMCC's objective is to be the leading supplier of high-performance, high-
bandwidth connectivity IC solutions for the world's communications
infrastructure. To achieve this objective, the Company employs the following
strategies:
 
 Focus on High-Growth Telecommunications Markets
 
  AMCC targets key high-growth telecommunications markets, including those for
SONET/SDH and ATM products. The Company has built substantial competencies
focused on the specific requirements of these markets in the areas of process
technology and mixed-signal design and substantial expertise in systems
architecture and applications support. The Company believes that the
integration of these capabilities enables it to optimize solutions addressing
the high-bandwidth connectivity requirements of telecommunications systems
OEMs.
 
 Leverage Telecommunication Capabilities in High-Bandwidth Data Communications
Markets
 
  AMCC leverages its mixed-signal design expertise, process technologies and
systems capabilities in telecommunications to address specific customer
requirements in high-bandwidth data communications markets. The Company
believes that this strategy enables it to provide data communications OEMs
with cost-effective IC solutions that can be introduced and produced rapidly.
The Company has targeted, in particular, Gigabit Ethernet, ATM and Fibre
Channel applications. Consistent with this strategy, the Company has
introduced serial backplane ICs to address the growing demand for high-
bandwidth switching.
 
 Exploit Established Markets
 
  The Company believes it has developed a strong presence in specific segments
of the ATE, high-speed computing and military markets, where it maintains
established customer relationships and many competitive products. AMCC
believes that its high-performance design expertise is directly applicable to
the product requirements of these markets. Furthermore, the Company believes
that its process technologies are well-suited for the ATE and military
applications that are being served by a decreasing number of suppliers. AMCC
believes that continued participation in these markets provides it with an
opportunity for revenue diversification and stability.
 
 Capitalize on Multiple Silicon-Process Technologies to Provide Optimized
Solutions
 
  The Company is dedicated to utilizing the best silicon process technology
available to offer solutions optimized for specific applications and customer
requirements. The Company has successfully developed multiple generations of
its processes and believes that it will be able to continue the evolution of
its processes to deliver the performance required of future communications
ICs. AMCC believes its current and future bipolar and BiCMOS processes,
complemented by advanced CMOS processes from external foundries, together with
its mixed-signal design expertise, provide the Company with the flexibility to
design and manufacture products that are tailored to its customers' individual
needs. Through this flexible approach, AMCC is better able to transition
products over time to new manufacturing processes as product performance
requirements and process technologies evolve.
 
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
 Capitalize on Established Silicon-Process Technologies to Provide Cost-
Effective Solutions
 
  The Company applies its systems expertise and its mixed-signal analog and
digital design techniques to architect high-performance products based on
established silicon process technologies. The Company believes that these
silicon-based processes are proven, stable and predictable relative to non-
silicon processes and benefit from the extensive semiconductor industry
infrastructure devoted to the support of silicon processes. The process
technologies employed by AMCC are designed to deliver high-performance
products while being substantially less capital intensive than other advanced
semiconductor processes. In addition, the Company's ASIC methodology enables
the use of cells that have been successfully characterized and manufactured
previously. As a result, the Company believes it is well-positioned to deliver
products on time and to meet the rapidly increasing production requirements of
its customers.
 
 Continue to Develop Internal Wafer Fabrication Capability
 
  The Company believes that the continued development of its internal bipolar
and BiCMOS wafer fabrication capability provides an important competitive
advantage. AMCC believes that this capability improves the Company's ability
to design and manufacture new products with short development cycles. It also
gives AMCC greater control over its manufacturing process characteristics and
costs, and enhances its ability to leverage existing design libraries and
methodologies for future products.
 
PRODUCTS AND CUSTOMERS
 
  AMCC designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-
bandwidth silicon solutions for the world's communications infrastructure. The
Company's current IC products address the needs of two primary segments of the
communications market: the telecommunications market and the data
communications market. The Company's products for the telecommunications and
the data communications markets are designed to respond to the growing demand
for high-speed networking applications for established WAN standards such as
SONET/SDH and ATM and emerging LAN standards such as Gigabit Ethernet, ATM and
Fibre Channel. The Company also markets and sells IC products that address the
needs of the ATE, high-speed computing and military markets. The Company
utilizes its high-performance digital and mixed-signal design expertise and
systems knowledge, together with its internal bipolar and BiCMOS processes and
CMOS processes from outside foundries, to design and manufacture products that
are tailored to its customers' individual needs.
 
  The Company has used its design methodologies to successfully develop
products ranging from ASSPs designed for industry-wide applications, to ASICs
that are custom solutions for specific customer applications. These
complementary products enable the Company to provide optimal solutions for its
customers' applications. For example, the earlier generation of the Company's
standard SONET products used ASIC platforms for quick time-to-market.
Recently, the Company used the S2052, its ASSP designed for the Gigabit
Ethernet market, as a platform to develop its S2053 and S2054 products, two
customer-specific devices that are expected to eventually become standard
products. As the Company develops special macros such as Phase Locked Loops
("PLLs") to support a customers' application needs, they become part of the
Company's ASIC library, which in turn can be used for other ASICs or ASSPs.
The Company believes that it has a particularly strong competence in the
design of high-speed, low-jitter PLLs, which are key elements in its mixed-
signal transceivers and precision timing products.
 
  AMCC's products for SONET/SDH, ATM, Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel
applications are primarily focused on very high-speed digital and mixed-signal
circuits called physical layer circuits. These circuits consist of a
transmitter and receiver that, when integrated, is called a transceiver chip.
Most of these circuits are very high-speed, mixed-signal circuits that convert
parallel digital inputs into a single analog bit stream that is up to 20 times
faster than the original signal. The diagram below illustrates the manner in
which a physical layer circuit takes parallel digital data from an overhead
processor clocked at speeds of up to 33 MHz and converts it into high-speed
digital signals with clock rates of up to 125 MHz. This digital data is
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
then converted into an analog/serial data stream for transmission at clock
speeds of up to 1.25 GHz, representing a tenfold increase in speed, to an
optical transmitter or other physical media interfaces. The diagram also
illustrates the manner in which a high-speed analog serial data stream from an
optical receiver is converted into lower speed parallel digital data for
transmission to an overhead processor.

[Diagram labeled "Figure 1: SONET/SDH, GIGABIT ETHERNET FUNCTIONAL BLOCK
DIAGRAM" is comprised of headings, boxes and arrows. The headings "Slow Speed
Digital," "High Speed Digital Interface" and "High Speed Digital Analog
Interface" appear from left to right across the top of the diagram, below
which the staggered headings "Overhead Processor," "Physical Interface" and
"Physical Media Interface" appear. Directly below the heading "Overhead
Processor" is a rectangular box labeled "Processing Unit" that is connected to
a parallel box labeled "Digital I/O" by a line labeled 33 Mhz. The upper half
of this box is connected, by several arrows pointing to the right, to a third
rectangular box labeled "Transmitter." The "Transmitter" box is connected by a
line labeled "Up to 1250 MHz" to a rectangular box labeled "Optical
Transmitter." Below the "Optical Transmitter" box is an identical box labeled
"Optical Receiver," which, in turn, is connected by an arrow pointing to the
left to a box labeled "Receiver." The "Receiver" box is connected by several
arrows pointing to the left, to the "Digital I/O" box. Below these arrows, in
the center of the diagram, is the heading "AMCC Products." The headings
"Digital," "Mixed Signal" and "Analog" appear from left to right across the
bottom of the diagram.]
 
FIGURE 1: SONET/SDH, GIGABIT ETHERNET FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
 
 Telecommunications Products
 
  The following table describes the Company's telecommunications products:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             DATE OF
                           PRODUCTION
 PRODUCTS                  RELEASE(1)                 APPLICATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                      <C>           <S>
 S3005/6                  June 1993     ATM physical layer transceiver products
                                        for OC-3
 S3020/21                 December 1994 (155 Mbps) and/or OC-12 (622 Mbps).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 S3015/16                 March 1995    ATM/E-4 & STM-1 physical layer
                                        transmitter/receiver pair (155 Mbps).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 S3017/18                 June 1995     SONET/SDH physical layer transceiver
                                        products for OC-3
 S3028                    January 1997  (155 Mbps) and/or OC-12 (622 Mbps).
 S3029                    October 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 S3014                    December 1993 Clock Recovery and Synthesis Units for
                                        SONET/ATM
 S3025/26/27              March 1997    Modules for OC-3 (155 Mbps) and/or OC-
                                        12 (622 Mbps).
</TABLE>
 
(1) The date of production release is the date that the particular product is
    available for volume shipment to customers. Engineering samples of these
    products are available prior to volume shipment to customers.
 
  AMCC introduced its first generation OC-3 (155 Mbps) physical layer products
in 1993. The Company has since developed two additional generations of these
products, each integrating greater functionality on each chip while improving
jitter performance. "Jitter" is a measure of the degradation in the quality of
the signal being transmitted or received. Jitter can be caused by the presence
of noise in the system and increases with the distance over which the signal
is transmitted. Jitter is usually controlled by special analog circuit
techniques that separate the noise in the system from the valid data. Low
jitter devices enable the system
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
designer to transmit the signal over longer distances or use less expensive
optical devices, thus reducing the overall system cost. The Company's first
generation of these products consisted of transmitter/receiver pairs with dual
voltage. The second generation consisted of products that are compatible with
single +5V optical modules. The Company's third generation physical layer
product, the S3028, is a single chip transceiver designed to be compatible
with the system needs of optical links. This product offers systems OEMs
selectable reference frequencies, a 4 or 8-bit data path, a PECL or TTL level
interface, a diagnostic mode and special failure indicators. The Company's
S3029 is a multiple-channel OC-3 (155 Mbps) transceiver that incorporates five
separate high-frequency PLLs on a single chip and includes an internal loop
filter for clock recovery. The Company has under development additional ATM
physical layer transceiver products compatible with the OC-3 and OC-12
standard, as well as additional SONET/SDH physical layer transceiver products
for OC-12 and OC-48 applications.
 
  AMCC's products for the OC-12 (622 Mbps) standard are highly integrated
products that consist of parallel-to-serial converters ("Mux"), serial-to-
parallel converters ("DeMux"), transmit and receive Phase Locked Loops
("PLLs"), Clock Synthesis Units ("CSU") and Clock Recovery Units ("CRU") with
low power dissipation and low output jitter. The superior jitter performance
of these products enables customers to use less expensive optical components.
The Company has also successfully integrated five PLLs on a single product at
155 Mbps. The power dissipation of this multichannel device is less than 1
watt (less than 200 milliwatt per PLL). All of the Company's
telecommunications devices are supported with evaluation boards and design
aids for easy implementation by engineers with limited knowledge of high
performance circuit layout techniques.
 
  The Company's Micropower bipolar standard cell ASIC products are well-suited
for high performance telecommunications applications that require up to 20,000
equivalent gates, a high-speed digital interface, low jitter, and PLL macros
operating at speeds of up to 2.5 GHz. The Company also uses its Micropower
technology for its ASSPs for the SONET/SDH market.
 
  Current customers for the Company's telecommunications products include
Alcatel, ECI, Fujitsu, GPT, Lucent, Nortel and SAT. The Company has achieved
design wins for its ASIC and ASSP products with certain other customers in the
telecommunications market, including Ciena, DSC Communications, IBM, NEC,
Nokia, Tellabs and Tellium. The design wins with Ciena and Tellium are for
wavelength division multiplexing ("WDM") applications. There can be no
assurance that these design wins will result in volume shipments to any of
such customers. Sales to Nortel accounted for approximately 17%, 20%, 20% and
20%, of the Company's net revenues in fiscal 1995, 1996, 1997 and for the nine
months ended December 31, 1997, respectively. No other customer represented
greater than 10% of the Company's net revenues during such periods.
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
 Data Communications Products
 
  The following table describes the Company's data communications products:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                              DATE OF
                             PRODUCTION
          PRODUCTS           RELEASE(1)                        APPLICATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                      <C>            <C>
  S2046/47................ October 1997   Transceivers/physical layer ICs for Gigabit Ethernet
  S2052................... June 1997      backbone and Fibre Channel.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  S2036................... February 1995  Serial chip sets, GLM Transceivers and port bypass
  S2042/43................ August 1996    circuits for Fibre Channel (1.0625 Gbps, 533 and
  S2044/45................ August 1996    265 Mbps) and Redundant Array of Independent
  S2057................... February 1998  Disks ("RAID") drives.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  S2016................... October 1995   High density switches, physical layer ICs, multi-port
  S2024................... September 1995 crosspoint switches and transceivers for backplanes
  S2025................... May 1996       in ISP networks.
  S2042/43................ August 1996
  S2052................... June 1997
  S2053................... January 1998
  S2054................... January 1998
</TABLE>    
 
(1) The date of production release is the date that the particular product is
    available for volume shipment to customers. Engineering samples of these
    products are available prior to volume shipment to customers.
 
  LAN Products. AMCC introduced its first generation of data communications
physical layer devices in 1995. The Company has since developed two additional
generations of products that support both +5V and +3.3V applications. The
Company's first two generations of physical layer devices consisted of
transmitter/receiver pairs with 10-bit interfaces or industry-standard 20-bit
interfaces for Giga-Link Modules ("GLM") and open fiber control for the Fibre
Channel standard. The Company's S2052 product is a single chip transceiver
that supports both the Fibre Channel and Gigabit Ethernet transmission
standards. This product is compatible with the Fibre Channel pin-out
configuration and is capable of directly driving fiber optic or twinaxial
cables. Some of the Company's customers also use derivatives of the S2052 for
their specific application needs. The S2053, one of the Company's most recent
data communications IC products, is a ten-bit transceiver that supports
Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel transmission standards. This device
supports differential PECL-compatible I/Os for fiber optic component
interfaces in order to minimize crosstalk and maximize data integrity. All of
the Company's data communications IC products are supported with evaluation
boards and design aids for easy implementation by engineers with limited
knowledge of high performance circuit layout techniques. The Company has under
development additional physical layer ICs for Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre
Channel applications.
 
  Serial Backplane Products. In addition to the WAN and LAN network equipment
and standards developed to address the issue of network bandwidth, network
equipment OEMs must also ensure that once high-frequency signals exit the
transmission network, they can be switched efficiently, while taking full
advantage of the available bandwidth. Backplanes (the boards that distribute
signals to various ports of a switching system) are currently emerging as a
serious constraint for systems OEMs because redesigning the traditional
architecture of parallel channels to accommodate higher frequency signals is
prohibitively expensive. Therefore, serial channels, which can accommodate
much higher frequencies, are being increasingly employed. The Company believes
that this transition has created a significant opportunity for suppliers that
can design IC solutions enabling the transmission of high-frequency data
through a serial backplane. The Company's S2054, a transceiver similar to the
S2053, has dual serial I/Os for serial backplane applications, enabling the
facilitation of broadcasting functions. This product also supports TTL-
compatible reference inputs.
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
  Data communications system designers use three different backplane
architectures. All of these architectures use serializer and deserializer
chips such as the Company's S2052 and S2042/43 chip sets, and one of these
architectures uses crosspoint switches. Based upon the system design, 16-bit
or 32-bit crosspoint switches are currently required and, in the future, 64-
bit crosspoint switches may be required. AMCC introduced its first generation
of crosspoint-based serial backplane products in 1995. These products included
16-bit and 32-bit crosspoint switches with fast reconfiguration time and the
S2042/43 serializer/deserializer pair with fast acquisition time. The Company
currently offers its second generation 32-bit crosspoint switch and the S2052
single chip serializer/deserializer, as a serial backplane solution. The
Company has under development additional multi-port products for backplane
applications.
 
  Current customers of the Company's IC products in the data communications
market include 3Com, Cabletron Systems, Compaq, Digital Equipment Corporation,
Fujikura and Vixel. The Company has achieved design wins with certain other
customers in this market, including Adaptec, Ascend Communications, Bay
Networks, Cisco Systems, FORE Systems, Fujitsu Nexion, Hewlett-Packard,
Newbridge Networks and Sun Microsystems. There can be no assurance that these
design wins will result in volume shipments to any of such customers.
 
 ATE
 
  AMCC introduced its current generation gate array Q20000 family of products
in 1991 and its Micropower-based standard cell products in 1993. Micropower,
one of the first products to offer +3.3V operation for high performance ASICs,
uses AMCC's proprietary bipolar process. The high-performance and low-power
characteristics of this family of products make it particularly suitable for
high performance semiconductor ATE applications that require approximately
4,000 equivalent gates, low jitter and precision circuits. Current customers
for the Company's products for the ATE market include Hewlett-Packard, LTX,
Schlumberger, Teradyne and Texas Instruments. The Company has achieved design
wins with Teradyne for circuits using these products. There can be no
assurance that these design wins will result in volume shipments to any of
such customers.
 
 High-Speed Computing Products
 
  The following table describes the Company's high-speed computing products:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              DATE OF
                            PRODUCTION
       PRODUCT FAMILY       RELEASE(1)                      APPLICATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                      <C>           <C>
  S5920................... February 1998 PCI controller (target only).
  S5933................... March 1997    PCI controllers.
  SC3000 Series........... 1992-96       Clock drivers for servers.
  SC4400 Series........... 1992-96       Clock generators for servers.
  S4506................... January 1997  250 MHz Clock generator for Rambus-based systems.
  S4507................... June 1997     300 MHz Clock generator for Rambus-based systems.
</TABLE>
 
(1) The date of production release is the date that the particular product is
    available for volume shipment to customers. Engineering samples of these
    products are available prior to volume shipment to customers.
 
  AMCC offers two product lines that address the high-speed computing market.
The S5933 is a standard master/slave PCI controller chip. The S5920 is a
standard target-only PCI controller chip. These devices are supported with
comprehensive development kits and third-party driver software. The Company
sells these products to a very large and diverse customer base. Current
customers of the Company's products include Cisco Systems, Ericsson, IBM and
SAT. The Company's S5933 PCI controller chip is also used in reference designs
with C-Cube Microsystems for digital video disk products.
 
  AMCC's second line of high-speed computing products consists of clocking
devices that use the Company's PLL technology for precision clock generation
for applications in the workstation,
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
telecommunications and data communications markets. AMCC's 250 MHz and 300 MHz
clock generators are being used in Rambus-based systems. The Company's
customers with Rambus-based systems also include Chromatic Research, Gateway
2000, Hewlett-Packard, LG Semiconductor, Micron Electronics, NEC and STB. The
Company has under development additional PCI controller chips.
 
 Military
 
  The Company introduced its Q20000 gate array family of ASIC products in
1991. These devices are well suited for military applications and as
replacements for ECLinPSTM logic from Motorola. The Company sells ASICs to
military customers such as Hughes Electronics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon,
Rockwell International and Texas Instruments.
 
TECHNOLOGY
 
  The Company utilizes its technological and design expertise to solve the
unique problems of high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuit designs for the
world's communications infrastructure. The Company's competencies include the
design and manufacture of high-performance digital and mixed-signal ICs, in-
depth knowledge of the architecture and functioning of high-bandwidth
telecommunications and data communications systems, proven ASIC design
methodologies and libraries, and high-performance semiconductor manufacturing
and packaging expertise.
 
 Design of High-Performance Digital and Mixed-Signal ICs
 
  AMCC has developed multiple generations of products that integrate both
analog and digital elements on the same chip, while balancing the difficult
trade-offs of speed, power and timing inherent in high-speed applications.
AMCC was one of the first companies to embed analog PLLs in bipolar chips with
digital logic for high-speed data transmission and receiver applications.
Since the introduction of AMCC's first on-chip clock recovery and clock
synthesis products in 1993 (the S3005/S3006 chip set), the Company has refined
these key circuits and has successfully integrated multiple analog functions
and multiple channels on the same chip. For example, the Company has under
development a quad transceiver with a PLL clock recovery and PLL clock
multiplier. The mixing of digital and analog signals poses difficult
challenges for IC designers, particularly at high frequencies. The Company has
built significant expertise in mixed-signal IC designs through the development
of multiple generations of products. The Company believes that one of its
primary skills is its ability to integrate increasingly complex analog
functions with high-speed digital logic on a single chip. The Company also
applies this expertise, developed using bipolar process technology, to IC
designs on CMOS processes.
 
 Systems and Architecture Expertise
 
  AMCC believes that its systems architects, design engineers and technical
marketing and applications engineers have a thorough understanding of the
telecommunications and data communications systems for which the Company
designs and builds ASSPs. Using this systems expertise, AMCC develops
semiconductor devices to meet OEMs' high-bandwidth systems requirements. By
understanding the systems into which its products are designed, the Company
believes that it is better able to anticipate and develop optimal solutions
for the various cost, power and performance trade-offs faced by its customers.
AMCC believes that its systems knowledge also enables the Company to design
its IC products to provide the most cost-effective and performance-optimized
solution available using proven process technologies. For example, in its IC
design for OC-48 applications, AMCC applied its systems knowledge and mixed-
signal design expertise to partition the solution into bipolar and high-speed
CMOS chips, which enabled AMCC to offer a substantially lower power
alternative and provide the customer with added flexibility in its future
design plans.
 
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
 Design Methodology
 
  The Company believes that its extensive experience in the use of ASIC design
methodologies (gate arrays and standard cells), enables its designers to
accelerate the design of new standard products. The Company also has extensive
experience in using ASIC methodologies in collaborative product development
efforts with its customers. The Company uses extensive libraries of analog and
digital blocks that have been well characterized and previously used, which
the Company believes decreases design costs and cycle time and minimizes any
final redesign that may be required once the circuit is implemented in
silicon. The Company's design methodology utilizes advanced computer aided
design ("CAD") tools for each of the following phases of the implementation
process: design capture, logic synthesis, simulation, physical layout and chip
composition and verification. AMCC uses industry-standard CAD tool sets
whenever possible, but augments these tool sets with certain proprietary tools
that enable its designers to optimize mixed-signal performance at very high
frequencies. Industry standard Verilog/VHDL models, developed at the
behavioral and the gate level, are given to key customers for system level
simulation and verification, and feedback from these customers is used to
finalize the Company's device designs to ensure that AMCC's devices will
interface appropriately with the OEM's system. The Company believes that this
process results in shortened design cycle time and greater first-time
correctness of production-worthy devices.
 
 Process Technology
 
  AMCC utilizes its own internal wafer fabrication facility and has developed
and produced multiple generations of cost-effective, high-performance bipolar
and BiCMOS processes. Bipolar processes are widely recognized as the
technology of choice for circuits that require high-speed, analog-intensive
circuitry with low to moderate levels of density (number of gates or functions
per chip). Nevertheless, the Company believes that the number of companies
possessing this advanced bipolar process capability and applying it to the
markets targeted by AMCC is limited. The proven internal silicon-based process
technologies employed by the Company have not required the highly capital-
intensive facilities needed by certain advanced microprocessor, memory or CMOS
ASIC suppliers. The Company believes that its bipolar-based processes are the
optimal choice for the performance (speed, timing and stability), power and
cost trade-offs that must be made in providing the mixed-signal ICs required
by its targeted markets.
 
 Packaging
 
  AMCC has substantial experience in the development and use of plastic and
ceramic packages for high-performance applications. The selection of the
optimal package solution is a vital element of the delivery of high-
performance products, and involves balancing cost, size, thermal management
and technical performance. AMCC's products are designed to reduce power
dissipation and die size to enable the use of industry standard packages. AMCC
employs a wide variety of package types, and is currently designing products
using ball grid arrays, tape ball grid arrays and multi-chip modules with pin
counts in excess of 200 pins. The Company's experience with a variety of
packages is one of the factors that enables it to provide optimal high-
performance IC solutions to its customers.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
  AMCC's research and development expertise and efforts are focused on the
development of high-performance, mixed-signal ASSPs for advanced
communications applications, as well as ASIC products and methodologies for
communications and ATE applications. The Company also focuses on the
development of silicon wafer fabrication processes that are optimized for
these applications.
 
 Product Development
 
  The Company's product development is focused on building high-performance,
analog-intensive design expertise that is incorporated into well-documented
blocks that can be reused by AMCC's design group for
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
multiple products. The Company has, and continues to make, significant
investments in advanced CAD tools to leverage its design engineering staff,
reduce design cycle time and increase first-time design correctness. AMCC is
consistently seeking to add engineers with high-performance, mixed-signal
experience in both its bipolar and CMOS design groups. The Company's product
development is driven by the imperatives of reducing design cycle time,
increasing first-time design correctness, adhering to disciplined, well
documented design processes and continuing to be responsive to customer needs.
 
 Process Development
 
  The Company's process development is focused on enhancing its current
bipolar processes and developing new processes optimized for high-performance
digital and mixed-signal communications applications. These new processes are
being designed to provide higher transistor speeds and improved parasitics to
address higher frequency communications requirements, as well as the need to
constantly improve jitter performance in the circuits, while maintaining low
power dissipation and enabling high yields in volume production. AMCC's
process engineers are also involved with the selection and management of the
Company's relationships with outside foundries to provide the advanced CMOS
processes required by certain of AMCC's products. The Company is also
developing high-performance packages for its products in collaboration with
its packaging suppliers and its customers.
 
  The Company's research and development expenses in fiscal years 1995, 1996,
1997 and the nine months ended December 31, 1997 were $10.1, $8.3, $7.9 and
$9.3 million, respectively, which were 21.5%, 16.5%, 13.7% and 17.0%,
respectively, of revenues for such periods. The Company has 88 employees
engaged in engineering and product development related activities.
 
  A failure by the Company to improve its existing process technologies in a
timely or affordable manner could adversely affect the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results. See "Risk Factors--Transition to
New Process Technologies," "--Rapid Technological Change; Necessity to Develop
and Introduce New Products" and "--Manufacturing Capacity Limitations; New
Production Facility."
 
MANUFACTURING
 
 Wafer Fabrication
 
  AMCC manufactures products at its four-inch wafer fabrication facility in
San Diego, California in an 8,200 square foot clean room. The Company is
currently expanding the clean room by approximately 2,300 additional square
feet to accommodate new equipment that will expand capacity and will be used
for process development. The Company believes that its wafer fabrication
facility has competitive yields, cycle times and costs, produces large die at
acceptable yields and operates on a flexible basis of multiple products and
variable lot sizes. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will
achieve or obtain acceptable manufacturing yield levels in the future. The
Company is currently running several different bipolar and BiCMOS processes in
this facility. See "Risk Factors -- Manufacturing Yields" and "Business --
 Technology."
 
  The Company is currently planning for the construction of a new six-inch
wafer fabrication facility that it believes will be located in San Diego,
California. AMCC believes that it will need such a facility to be operational
in approximately three years in order to support the Company's growth and to
build certain new products, although the timing of this need may vary based
on, among other things, the Company's rate of growth. The Company currently
plans to acquire or acquire rights to a site for this new facility by mid-
1998. The Company is also exploring other alternatives for the expansion of
its manufacturing capacity, including purchasing a wafer fabrication facility
and entering into strategic relationships to obtain additional capacity. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to manage its growth or
effectively integrate its proposed expansion into its current operations. See
"Risk Factors -- Manufacturing Yields," "-- Manufacturing Capacity
Limitations; New Production Facility" and "-- Management of Growth."
 
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
  AMCC currently utilizes four outside foundries, AMI Semiconductor ("AMI"),
IBM, Kawasaki CSI Japan ("Kawasaki") and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
Corporation ("TSMC") for the production of products designed on CMOS
processes. The Company does not plan to fabricate its own CMOS wafers.
 
  The Company's PCI Bus products are currently produced by AMI in Idaho on a
five-inch CMOS process and by Kawasaki in Japan on a six-inch CMOS process.
Additionally, certain of AMCC's products are being produced by TSMC on
six-inch CMOS and BiCMOS processes. Some of the Company's products are being
designed to be produced by IBM on eight-inch CMOS processes. Although the
Company has a long term agreement with IBM that provides that AMCC will be
able to purchase certain minimum quantities of wafers through March 2000, the
Company does not have long-term wafer supply agreements with its other outside
foundries that guarantee wafer or product quantities, prices or delivery lead
times. There are certain risks associated with the Company's dependence upon
external foundries for certain of its products, including reduced control over
delivery schedules, quality assurance, manufacturing yields and costs, the
potential lack of adequate capacity during periods of excess demand, limited
warranties on wafers or products supplied to the Company, increases in prices
and potential misappropriation of the Company's intellectual property. See
"Risk Factors -- Dependence on Third-Party Manufacturing and Supply
Relationships."
 
 Components and Raw Materials
 
  AMCC purchases all of its "raw" silicon wafers from Wacker Siltronic
Corporation ("WSC"). While most silicon wafers now being supplied to the
semiconductor industry are larger than four inches, AMCC believes that WSC
will continue to supply AMCC's needs for the foreseeable future. AMCC also
carries a significant inventory of raw wafers to cushion any interruption in
supply. AMCC purchases its ceramic packages from Kyocera America and NTK
Ceramics and its plastic packaging from ASAT. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence
on Third-Party Manufacturing and Supply Relationships."
 
 Assembly and Test
 
  The Company assembles prototypes and modest production volumes of specific
products in its internal assembly facility in San Diego, California. Most of
the Company's production assembly, however, is performed by multiple assembly
subcontractors located in the Far East, Europe and the United States.
Following assembly, the packaged units are returned to the Company for burn-in
(in some cases), final testing and marking prior to shipment to customers.
From time to time, some testing is performed by subcontractors. See "Risk
Factors -- Dependence on Third-Party Manufacturing and Supply Relationships."
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
  The Company sells its products principally through a direct sales
organization consisting of a network of independent manufacturers'
representatives in specified territories that work under the direction of the
Company's direct sales force and distributors.
 
  The Company has a total of 12 direct sales personnel and field applications
engineers. The direct sales force is technically trained and is supported by
applications engineers in the field as well as applications and design
engineers at the Company's headquarters. The Company believes that this
"engineering-intensive" relationship with its customers results in strong,
long-term customer relationships beneficial to both the Company and its
customers. The Company augments this strategic account sales approach with
domestic and foreign distributors, which service primarily smaller accounts
purchasing ASSPs.
 
  In North America, the Company's direct sales effort is supported by 19
independent manufacturers' representatives and one distributor. The Company
sells its products through 10 distributors and 2 independent manufacturers'
representatives in Europe and eight distributors throughout the rest of the
world. In fiscal 1996 and 1997 and during the nine months ended December 31,
1997, approximately 24%, 21% and 24% of the Company's revenues were derived
from sales to customers located outside of North America.
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
  The Company's sales headquarters is located in San Diego, California. The
Company maintains sales offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Raleigh, North
Carolina; San Clemente, California; Plano, Texas; Hollis, New Hampshire; San
Jose, California and Munich, Germany. The Company currently intends to lease
space for a sales office in Milan, Italy during the first half of 1998.
 
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
   
  The Company relies in part on patents to protect its intellectual property.
The Company has been issued 13 patents in the United States and one patent in
Canada, which patents principally cover certain aspects of the design and
architecture of the Company's IC products and have expiration dates ranging
from 2004 to 2009. In addition, the Company has six patent applications
pending in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO"). There
can be no assurance that the Company's pending patent applications or any
future applications will be approved, or that any issued patents will provide
the Company with competitive advantages or will not be challenged by third
parties or that if challenged, will be found to be valid or enforceable, or
that the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on the Company's
ability to do business. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others
will not independently develop similar products or processes, duplicate the
Company's products or processes or design around any patents that may be
issued to the Company.     
 
  To protect its intellectual property, the Company also relies on a
combination of mask work protection under the Federal Semiconductor Chip
Protection Act of 1984, trademarks, copyrights, trade secret laws, employee
and third-party nondisclosure agreements and licensing arrangements. A mask
work refers to the intangible information content of the set of masks or mask
databases used to make a semiconductor chip product. Despite these efforts,
there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop
substantially equivalent intellectual property or otherwise gain access to the
Company's trade secrets or intellectual property, or disclose such
intellectual property or trade secrets, or that the Company can meaningfully
protect its intellectual property. A failure by the Company to meaningfully
protect its intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
   
  As a general matter, the semiconductor industry is characterized by
substantial litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property
rights. The Company in the past has been and in the future may be notified
that it may be infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties.
The Company has certain indemnification obligations to customers with respect
to the infringement of third party intellectual property rights by its
products. There can be no assurance that infringement claims by third parties
or claims for indemnification by customers or end users of the Company's
products resulting from infringement claims will not be asserted in the future
or that such assertions, if proven to be true, will not materially adversely
affect the Company's business, financial condition or operating results. In
March 1997, the Company received a written notice from legal counsel for Dr.
Chou Li asserting that the Company manufactures certain of its products in
ways that appear to such counsel to infringe a United States patent held by
Dr. Li (the "Li Patent"). After a review of its technology in light of such
assertion, the Company believes that the Company's processes do not infringe
any of the claims of this patent. On January 6, 1998, in a lawsuit between a
third party and Dr. Li filed in Federal District Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia, the court ruled that the Li Patent was invalid for
inequitable conduct. In January 1998, the Company received a written notice
from legal counsel for the Lemelson Medical, Education & Research Foundation
Limited Partnership (the "Lemelson Partnership") asserting that the Company
infringes certain United States patents (the "Lemelson Patents") and offering
the Company a license under the patents. The Company is monitoring this matter
and, although the ultimate outcome of this matter is not currently
determinable, the Company believes, based in part on the licensing terms
offered by the Lemelson Partnership, that the resolution of this matter will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or
liquidity; however, there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of
this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results
of operations for any quarter. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the
Lemelson Partnership will not file a lawsuit against the Company or that the
Company would prevail in any such litigation. Any litigation     
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
   
relating to the intellectual property rights of third parties, including, but
not limited to the Lemelson Patents or the Li Patent, whether or not
determined in the Company's favor or settled by the Company, would at a
minimum be costly and could divert the efforts and attention of the Company's
management and technical personnel, which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition or operating results. In the
event of any adverse ruling in any such matter, the Company could be required
to pay substantial damages, which could include treble damages, cease the
manufacturing, use and sale of infringing products, discontinue the use of
certain processes or obtain a license under the intellectual property rights
of the third-party claiming infringement. There can be no assurance, however,
that a license would be available on reasonable terms or at all. Any
limitations on the Company's ability to market its products, any delays and
costs associated with redesigning its products or payments of license fees to
third parties or any failure by the Company to develop or license a substitute
technology on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
See "Risk Factors--Uncertainty Regarding Patents and Protection of Proprietary
Rights."     
 
COMPETITION
   
  The semiconductor market, particularly the high-performance semiconductor
market, is highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change, price
erosion and heightened international competition. The telecommunications, data
communications, ATE and high-speed computing industries are also becoming
intensely competitive due in part to deregulation and heightened international
competition. The ability of the Company to compete successfully in its markets
depends on a number of factors, including product performance, success in
designing and subcontracting the manufacture of new products that implement
new technologies, product quality, reliability, price, the efficiency of
production, design wins for its IC products, ramp up of production of the
Company's products for particular system manufacturers, end-user acceptance of
the system manufacturers' products, market acceptance of competitors' products
and general economic conditions. In addition, the Company's competitors may
offer enhancements to existing products, or offer new products based on new
technologies, industry standards or customer requirements, that are available
to customers on a more timely basis than comparable products from the Company
or that have the potential to replace or provide lower cost alternatives to
the Company's products. The introduction of such enhancements or new products
by the Company's competitors could render the Company's existing and future
products obsolete or unmarketable. Furthermore, once a customer has designed a
supplier's product into its system, the customer is extremely reluctant to
change its supply source due to the significant costs associated with
qualifying a new supplier. Finally, the Company expects that certain of its
competitors and other semiconductor companies may seek to develop and
introduce products that integrate the functions performed by the Company's IC
products on a single chip, thus eliminating the need for the Company's
products. Each of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk
Factors -- Risks Associated with Dependence on High-Speed Computing Market."
    
  In the telecommunications and data communications markets, the Company
competes primarily against GaAs-based companies such as Giga, Rockwell
International, TriQuint and Vitesse, and bipolar silicon-based products from
companies such as Giga, Hewlett-Packard, Maxim, Philips and Sony. In certain
circumstances, most notably with respect to ASICs supplied to Nortel, AMCC's
customers or potential customers have internal IC manufacturing capability,
and this internal source is an alternative available to the customer. In the
ATE market, the Company competes primarily against Vitesse and silicon ECL and
BiCMOS products offered principally by semiconductor manufacturers such as
Analog Devices, Lucent Technologies and Maxim. In the high-speed computing
market, the Company competes primarily against companies such as Chrontel,
Cypress, ICS, PLX and Tundra. Many of these companies and potential new
competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and
marketing resources than the Company. In addition, in lower-frequency
applications, the Company faces increasing competition from other CMOS-based
products, particularly as the performance of such products continues to
improve. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to develop
new products to compete with new technologies on a timely basis or in a cost-
effective manner. Any failure by the Company to compete successfully in its
target markets, particularly in the telecommunications and
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
   
data communications markets, would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk
Factors -- Intense Competition" and "-- Risks Associated with Dependence on
Telecommunications and Data Communications Markets and Increasing Dependence
on Application-Specific Standard Products."     
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company is subject to a variety of federal, state and local governmental
regulations related to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of toxic,
volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used in its manufacturing process.
Any failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in the
imposition of fines on the Company, the suspension of production or a
cessation of operations. In addition, such regulations could restrict the
Company's ability to expand its facilities at its present location or
construct or operate its planned wafer fabrication facility or could require
the Company to acquire costly equipment or incur other significant expenses to
comply with environmental regulations or clean up prior discharges. In this
regard, since 1993 the Company has been named as a potentially responsible
party ("PRP") along with a large number of other companies that used Omega
Chemical Corporation ("Omega") in Whittier, California to handle and dispose
of certain hazardous waste material. The Company is a member of a large group
of PRPs that has agreed to fund certain remediation efforts at the Omega site,
which efforts are ongoing. To date, the Company's payment obligations with
respect to such funding efforts have not been material, and the Company
believes that its future obligations to fund such efforts will not have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or operating
results. Although the Company believes that it is currently in material
compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, there can be no
assurance that the Company is or will be in material compliance with such laws
or regulations or that the Company's future obligations to fund any
remediation efforts, including those at the Omega site, will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results. See "Risk Factors -- Environmental Regulations."
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to
claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. As of
the date of this Prospectus, the Company is not engaged in any legal
proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results.
 
FACILITIES
 
  The Company's executive offices, research and development and engineering
functions are located in San Diego, California in a 90,000 square foot
building that is leased by the Company under a lease that expires in 2007. In
addition, the Company occupies a 21,000 square foot building in San Diego,
which houses the Company's manufacturing facilities under a lease that expires
in 2003, but provides the Company with an option to extend the lease for one
additional five year period. The Company leases additional space for sales
offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Clemente,
California; Plano, Texas; Hollis, New Hampshire; San Jose, California and
Munich, Germany. The Company currently plans to lease space for a sales office
in Milan, Italy during the first half of 1998.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 293 full-time employees: 29 in
administration, 88 in engineering and product development, 138 in operations
and 38 in marketing and sales. The Company's ability to attract and retain
qualified personnel is essential to its continued success. None of the
Company's employees is represented by a collective bargaining agreement, nor
has the Company ever experienced any work stoppage. The Company believes its
employee relations are good. Loss of the services of, or failure to recruit,
key design engineers or other technical and management personnel could be
significantly detrimental to the Company's product and process development
programs or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition, and operating results. See "Risk Factors --
 Dependence on Qualified Personnel."
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  The executive officers and directors of the Company, and their ages as of
December 31, 1997, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME           AGE                     POSITION
   ------------------------ --- -------------------------------------------------
   <S>                      <C> <C>
   David M. Rickey.........  42 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
   Joel O. Holliday........  58 Vice President, Finance and Administration,
                                 Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
   Thomas L. Tullie........  33 Vice President, Sales
   Anil K. Bedi............  47 Vice President, Marketing
   Laszlo V. Gal...........  50 Vice President, Engineering
   Roger A. Smullen, Sr.
    (1)....................  62 Chairman of the Board of Directors
   Kenneth L. Clark........  49 Vice President, Operations
   William K. Bowes,
    Jr.(1).................  71 Director
   Franklin P. Johnson,
    Jr.(1)(2)..............  69 Director
   Arthur B. Stabenow(2)...  59 Director
   R. Clive Ghest(2).......  60 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Compensation Committee
 
  David M. Rickey has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director since February 1996. From August 1993 to May 1995, Mr. Rickey served
as the Company's Vice President of Operations. From May 1995 to February 1996,
Mr. Rickey served as Vice President of Operations at NexGen, a semiconductor
company. Previously, Mr. Rickey spent more than eight years with Nortel, a
telecommunications manufacturer, where he led the wafer fab engineering and
manufacturing operations in both Ottawa, Canada and San Diego, California. Mr.
Rickey also worked in various engineering positions with IBM from 1981 to
1985. Mr. Rickey has earned B.S. degrees from both Marietta College (summa cum
laude) and Columbia University. In addition, Mr. Rickey received an M.S. in
Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University.
 
  Joel O. Holliday has served as the Vice President, Finance and
Administration, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the
Company since November 1981. He has previously served as the Director of
Finance during the reorganization of Westgate-California Corporation and as
Vice President, Finance of Spin Physics, Inc., an electronics company. Mr.
Holliday received a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and an M.B.A. from
Harvard Business School.
 
  Thomas L. Tullie joined the Company as Vice President, Sales in August 1996.
Prior to joining the Company, from 1989 to 1996 Mr. Tullie held several
strategic sales management positions, most recently as Director of East Coast
Sales, at S-MOS Systems, a semiconductor company. Prior to joining S-MOS
Systems, Mr. Tullie was a designer in the workstations group of Digital
Equipment Corporation. Mr. Tullie earned a B.S. from the University of
Massachusetts and an M.B.A. from Clark University.
 
  Anil K. Bedi joined the Company in August 1996 as Vice President, Marketing.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bedi worked at Philips Semiconductor from
October 1993 to July 1996, where he served as Director of Strategic Marketing
and General Manager of the Mass Storage Product Group. Prior to joining
Philips Semiconductor, from 1984 to 1993 Mr. Bedi served in senior marketing
and management positions at Oki Semiconductor and Gazelle and TriQuint
Semiconductor (two GaAs-based semiconductor companies). Mr. Bedi has also held
marketing and sales positions at Xerox Corporation and National Semiconductor.
Mr. Bedi earned his B.S.E.E. and M.S.E.E. degrees from the University of
Wisconsin and his M.B.A. from the University of Utah.
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
  Laszlo V. Gal joined the Company in January 1997 as Vice President,
Engineering. From September 1994 to December 1996, he served in various senior
management positions, including Director of Product Development at Motorola,
Inc. Mr. Gal served as the manager of IC Designs at Burroughs/Unisys from 1983
to 1994 and worked as a staff scientist at the IBM Research Center from 1981
to 1982. From 1979 to 1981 Mr. Gal was a member of the technical staff at
Rockwell Corporation, where he worked on GaAs development. Mr. Gal was
educated at the Budapest Technical University in Hungary, where he received a
B.S. and M.S. and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering. He holds 12 U.S. patents in
VLSI design and applications.
 
  Roger A. Smullen, Sr. has served as the Chairman of the Company's Board of
Directors since October 1982. Mr. Smullen has served as Acting Vice President,
Operations of the Company from August 1997 through October 1997. From April
1983 until April 1987, Mr. Smullen served as the Company's Chief Executive
Officer. Previously, he was senior vice president of operations of Intersil,
Inc.'s semiconductor division. In 1967, Mr. Smullen co-founded National
Semiconductor. Prior to that, he was director of integrated circuits at
Fairchild Semiconductor. Mr. Smullen is currently a director of Micro Linear
Corporation, a manufacturer of integrated circuits. He holds a B.S. in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
 
  Kenneth L. Clark joined the Company in November 1997 as Vice President,
Operations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Clark worked at Integrated
Device Technologies, Inc., a semiconductor company, from February 1995 to
October 1997, where he served as Director, Fab Operations. From 1990 to 1995,
Mr. Clark served in various senior management positions including Director,
Fab Operations at Silicon Systems, Inc., a semiconductor company. From 1987 to
1990, Mr. Clark served as Director, Fab Operations at National Semiconductor
Corp. Mr. Clark has also held manufacturing and engineering management
positions at Cypress Semiconductor Corp., Zymos, Inc., Micron Technology and
American Microsystems, Inc. Mr. Clark holds a B.S. in Physics from the
University of Washington.
   
  William K. Bowes, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since April
1980. He has been a general partner of U.S. Venture Partners, a venture
capital investment entity, since July 1981. Mr. Bowes serves as a director of
Amgen, Inc., Lynx Therapeutics, XOMA Corporation and one privately-held U.S.
Venture Partners portfolio company. Mr. Bowes holds a B.A. from Stanford
University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.     
 
  Franklin P. Johnson, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since April
1980. He is the general partner of Asset Management Partners, a venture
capital partnership. In addition, Mr. Johnson is a general partner of the
general partner of Asset Management Associates, a venture capital limited
partnership. Mr. Johnson has been a venture capital investor for more than
five years. Mr. Johnson is also Chairman of the Board of Boole and Babbage,
Inc., and a director of Amgen, Inc. and IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Mr.
Johnson holds a B.S. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard
Business School.
 
  Arthur B. Stabenow has served as a director of the Company since July 1988.
Mr. Stabenow has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Micro
Linear Corporation, a manufacturer of integrated circuits, since April 1986.
Mr. Stabenow has over 35 years of experience in the semiconductor industry.
From January 1979 to March 1986, he was employed as a vice president and
general manager at National Semiconductor Corporation. Mr. Stabenow is
currently a director of Zoran, Inc. and Micro Linear Corporation. Mr. Stabenow
holds an M.B.A. from the University of New Haven.
 
  R. Clive Ghest has served as a director of the Company since July 1997.
Since January 1997, Mr. Ghest has been a principal of Ghest Associates
Consulting. Mr. Ghest was the Vice President of Business Development at
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. from February 1986 to December 1996. He has more
than 35 years of experience in various capacities in the computer,
communications and semiconductor industries. Mr. Ghest holds an M.S.E.E. from
the University of Santa Clara and an Hons. B.Sc. from the University of
London.
 
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
BOARD COMPOSITION
 
  The Company currently has authorized six directors. Each director is elected
for a period of one year at the Company's annual meeting of stockholders and
serves until the next annual meeting or until his or her successor is duly
elected and qualified. The executive officers serve at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among any of the
directors or executive officers of the Company.
 
BOARD COMPENSATION
   
  Except for reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses relating to
attendance at Board meetings and the grant of stock options, directors are not
compensated for their services as directors. Directors who are employees of
the Company are eligible to participate in the Company's 1992 Stock Option
Plan (the "1992 Plan") and in the Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Purchase Plan"). Directors who are not employees of the Company are
eligible to participate in the Company's 1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan.
See "-- 1982 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan," " -- 1992 Stock Option
Plan" and " -- 1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan." The Chairman of the
Company's Board of Directors is compensated for certain services provided to
the Company. See "-- Executive Compensation."     
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Company's Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee
and an Audit Committee. The Board of Directors does not maintain a Nominating
Committee or a committee performing similar functions. The Compensation
Committee recommends salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for
directors, officers and other employees of the Company, administers (with the
Board of Directors) the various incentive compensation and benefit plans
(including the 1992 Plan and the Purchase Plan) of the Company and recommends
policies relating to such incentive compensation and benefit plans. The Audit
Committee reviews the need for internal auditing procedures and the adequacy
of internal controls. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management
and the independent auditors. The Board of Directors may also establish
additional committees from time to time.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  The members of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors are currently Mr. Ghest, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Stabenow. None of these
directors has at any time been an officer or employee of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company. During fiscal 1997, David M. Rickey and Roger A.
Smullen served as members of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board
of Directors. During fiscal 1997, Mr. Smullen was a member of the Board of
Directors of Micro Linear Corporation. During fiscal 1997, Arthur B. Stabenow,
the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Micro Linear
Corporation, served as a member of the Compensation Committee of the Company's
Board of Directors. No other interlocking relationship exists between the
Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and the board of
directors or compensation committee of any other company nor has such an
interlocking relationship existed in the past.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table provides certain summary information concerning the
compensation earned or paid for services rendered to the Company during the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors and each of the other four most highly compensated
executive officers (the "Named Officers"), each of whose aggregate
compensation during the Company's last fiscal year exceeded, or would exceed
on an annualized basis, $100,000.
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       LONG-TERM
                                                      COMPENSATION
                                                         AWARDS
                                                      ------------
                           ANNUAL COMPENSATION         SECURITIES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL         --------------------------  UNDERLYING   ALL OTHER
POSITION                     SALARY           BONUS   OPTIONS (#)  COMPENSATION
- ------------------         ----------       --------- ------------ ------------
<S>                        <C>              <C>       <C>          <C>
David M. Rickey
 President and Chief
 Executive Officer.......    $277,215(1)      $61,500        --      $133,826(2)
Joel O. Holliday
 Vice President, Finance
 and Administration,
 Treasurer, Chief
 Financial Officer and
 Secretary...............     162,208(1)       41,500    33,333         2,000(3)
Roger A. Smullen
 Chairman of the Board of
 Directors...............     208,000          41,500    33,333           --
Thomas Tullie
 Vice President, Sales...     124,934(1)(4)    60,500   133,333        38,863(5)
Anil Bedi
 Vice President,
 Marketing...............     106,346(1)       56,500   206,666         8,560(6)
Laszlo Gal(7)
 Vice President,
 Engineering.............      22,885(1)       46,500   206,666         8,522(8)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes pre-tax contributions to the AMCC 401(k) Plan.
(2) Includes $128,706 paid to Mr. Rickey in the form of relocation expenses, a
    matching contribution in the amount of $2,000 that the Company made on Mr.
    Rickey's behalf to the AMCC 401(k) Plan and annual premiums in the amount
    of $3,120 paid by the Company on a term life insurance policy.
(3) Includes a matching contribution in the amount of $2,000 that the Company
    made on Mr. Holliday's behalf to the AMCC 401(k) Plan.
(4) Includes commissions earned by Mr. Tullie in the amount of $38,396, of
    which $25,191 was paid to Mr. Tullie in fiscal 1997 and $13,205 was paid
    to Mr. Tullie in fiscal 1998.
(5) Includes a matching contribution in the amount of $565 that the Company
    made on Mr. Tullie's behalf to the AMCC 401(k) Plan and $38,298 paid to
    Mr. Tullie for relocation expenses.
(6) Includes a matching contribution in the amount of $1,171 that the Company
    made on Mr. Bedi's behalf to the AMCC 401(k) Plan and $7,389 paid to Mr.
    Bedi for relocation expenses.
(7) Mr. Gal joined the Company in January 1997, and his annualized base salary
    for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 year was $175,000.
(8) Includes $8,522 paid to Mr. Gal for relocation expenses.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
  In January 1996, the Company entered into a letter agreement with David M.
Rickey, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. This agreement
entitles Mr. Rickey to a salary of $275,000 per year and term life insurance
purchased by the Company for the benefit of Mr. Rickey's estate. Pursuant to
the terms of the agreement, if the Company enters into certain change-of-
control transactions, the vesting of Mr. Rickey's options to purchase shares
of the Company's Common Stock will accelerate. In addition, the agreement
provides that if the Company is acquired and the per share value of the
Company's Common Stock is less than $3.00 per share, the Company will
compensate Mr. Rickey for the difference between $3.00 per share and the per
share merger or sale price determined by the Company's Board of Directors. The
letter agreement provides that Mr. Rickey's employment is at will and
terminable by the Company or Mr. Rickey for any reason, with or without cause,
and with or without notice. See "Certain Transactions."
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
OPTION GRANTS
 
  The following table provides certain summary information regarding stock
options granted to the Named Officers during the fiscal year ended March 31,
1997. No stock appreciation rights were granted during such fiscal year.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(1)
                            --------------------------------------------------
                                                                               POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                 VALUE AT ASSUMED
                             NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF                           ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                            SECURITIES  TOTAL OPTIONS                           PRICE APPRECIATION
                            UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO   EXERCISE OR               FOR OPTION TERM(4)
                              OPTIONS    EMPLOYEES IN   BASE PRICE  EXPIRATION ---------------------
   NAME                     GRANTED (#) FISCAL YEAR(2) ($/SHARE)(3)    DATE        5%         10%
   ----                     ----------- -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -----------
   <S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
   David M. Rickey.........         0           0%          N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A
   Joel O. Holliday........    33,333        2.35         $0.53     07/17/2006 $   11,006 $   27,890
   Roger A. Smullen........    33,333        2.35         $0.53     07/17/2006     11,006     27,890
   Thomas Tullie...........   133,333        9.40         $0.53     07/17/2006     44,023    111,562
   Anil Bedi...............   206,666       14.58         $0.53     07/17/2006     68,235    172,921
   Laszlo Gal..............   206,666       14.58         $0.53     01/30/2007     68,235    172,921
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Consists of options granted pursuant to the 1992 Plan. See "-- 1992 Stock
    Option Plan."
   
(2) An aggregate of 1,453,952 options to purchase shares of Common Stock of
    the Company were granted during fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, of which
    1,417,286 shares were granted to employees.     
(3) The exercise price and tax withholding obligations related to exercise may
    be paid by delivery of shares that are already owned or by offset of the
    underlying shares, subject to certain conditions.
(4) The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of compounded stock price appreciation
    are mandated by the rules of the SEC. There can be no assurance that the
    actual stock price appreciation over the ten-year option term will be at
    the assumed 5% and 10% levels or at any other defined level. Unless the
    market price of the Common Stock appreciates over the option term, no
    value will be realized from the option grants made to the Named Officers.
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
 
  The following table provides certain summary information concerning the
shares of Common Stock represented by outstanding stock options held by each
of the Named Officers as of March 31, 1997. No stock appreciation rights were
exercised during such fiscal year and no stock appreciation rights were
outstanding at the end of such fiscal year.
 
                         FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          NUMBER OF SECURITIES         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                         UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED        IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                       OPTIONS AT MARCH 31, 1997(1)    AT MARCH 31, 1997(3)
                      ---------------------------- ----------------------------
   NAME               EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(2) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(2)
   ----               ----------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
   <S>                <C>         <C>              <C>         <C>
   David M. Rickey...   800,000           0          $    0         $    0
   Joel O. Holliday..    83,331           0           2,500              0
   Roger A. Smullen..    53,333           0               0              0
   Thomas Tullie.....   133,333           0               0              0
   Anil Bedi.........   206,666           0               0              0
   Laszlo Gal........   206,666           0               0              0
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) No Named Officer exercised options during the fiscal year ended March 31,
    1997.
(2) Options granted under the 1982 Stock Option Plan (the "1982 Plan") and
    1992 Plan are generally immediately exercisable, but subject to a right of
    repurchase pursuant to the vesting schedule of each such grant.
    Accordingly, the table reflects those options that are exercisable, not
    those options that are vested. See "-- 1982 Employee Incentive Stock
    Option Plan" and "-- 1992 Stock Option Plan."
(3) There was no public trading market for the Company's Common Stock as of
    March 31, 1997. Accordingly, this value has been calculated based on a
    price of $0.525 per share, the Board of Directors' determination of the
    fair market value of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 1997,
    minus the applicable per share exercise price.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
1982 EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
  The Company's 1982 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "1982 Plan")
was adopted by the Board of Directors in November 1982 and approved by the
stockholders in July 1983. A total of 5,338,666 shares of Common Stock has
been reserved for issuance under the 1982 Plan. The 1982 Plan expired by its
own terms on November 1, 1992; however, options granted under the 1982 Plan
remain outstanding as of the date of this offering.
 
  The purposes of the 1982 Plan are to encourage selected employees to accept
or continue employment with the Company, to provide additional incentives to
the Company's employees and to increase the interest of employees in the
Company's welfare. The 1982 Plan provides for the granting to employees
(including officers and employee directors) of "incentive stock options"
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). The 1982 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors,
which determines the terms of options granted under the 1982 Plan, including
the exercise price, number of shares subject to the option and the
exercisability thereof. Subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors,
options granted under the 1982 Plan generally are immediately exercisable in
full and 1/5th of the shares subject to the options vest each year over the
five year period measured from the grant date. Unvested shares purchased upon
exercise of such options are subject to repurchase by the Company, at its
option, upon an optionee's termination of employment. No options granted under
the 1982 Plan are transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws
of descent and distribution, and each option is exercisable during the
lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee.
 
  The exercise price of all stock options granted under the 1982 Plan must be
at least equal to the fair market value of the shares subject to such options
on the date of grant. With respect to any participant who owns stock
possessing more than 10% of the voting rights of the Company's outstanding
capital stock, the exercise price must equal at least 110% of the fair market
value on the grant date. Incentive stock options granted to a participant, may
not, on an aggregate basis, become exercisable for more than $100,000 (valued
at the time of grant) per calendar year. No options have been granted to date
at prices less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant.
Options granted under the 1982 Plan may not have a term in excess of ten
years. However, all stock options granted to an optionee who, at the time of
grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the Company's outstanding
capital stock, may not have a term in excess of five years.
 
  In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or
a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, the options shall become
immediately exercisable or an equivalent option substituted by the successor
corporation. The Plan Administrator has the discretion to accelerate the
vesting of the option shares at any time.
 
  Under the 1982 Plan, as of December 31, 1997, options to purchase 4,218,834
shares of Common Stock had been exercised, options to purchase an aggregate of
83,309 shares of Common Stock were outstanding at a weighted average exercise
price of $0.54 per share and no shares remain available for future grant as
the 1982 Plan expired in November 1992.
 
  The Board of Directors may at any time amend, alter, suspend or discontinue
the 1982 Plan as long as such action does not adversely affect any outstanding
option and provided that stockholder approval shall be required for an
amendment to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the 1982 Plan, extend the duration of the 1982 Plan, extend the
period over which options may be exercised under the 1982 Plan or change the
class of persons eligible to receive options under the 1982 Plan.
 
1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
  The Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan") was adopted by the
Board of Directors in July 1992 and approved by the stockholders in September
1992 and subsequently amended. A total of 6,027,304 shares of Common Stock
have been reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan. As of December 31, 1997,
options to purchase 1,518,626 shares of Common Stock had been exercised,
options to purchase a total of 2,080,214 shares at a weighted average exercise
price of $1.53 per share were outstanding and 2,428,464 shares remained
available for future option grants.
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
  The 1992 Plan provides for the granting to employees, including officers and
directors, of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code and for the granting to employees and consultants, including nonemployee
directors, of nonstatutory stock options. To the extent an optionee would have
the right in any calendar year to exercise for the first time one or more
incentive stock options for shares having an aggregate fair market value
(under all plans of the Company and determined for each share as of the date
the option to purchase the shares was granted) in excess of $100,000, any such
excess options shall be treated as nonstatutory stock options. If not
terminated earlier, the 1992 Plan will terminate in July 2002.
   
  The 1992 Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
of the Board (the "Administrator"). The Administrator determines the terms of
options granted under the 1992 Plan, including the number of shares subject to
the option, exercise price, term and exercisability. The exercise price of all
incentive stock options granted under the 1992 Plan must be at least equal to
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The exercise
price of any incentive stock option granted to an optionee who owns stock
representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes
of outstanding capital stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary
corporation of the Company (a "10% Stockholder") must equal at least 110% of
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The exercise
price of all nonstatutory stock options must equal at least 85% of the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant; provided, however, that
the exercise price of any nonstatutory stock option granted to a Named Officer
of the Company must equal at least 100% of the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant. Payment of the exercise price may be made in cash
or other consideration, including promissory notes, as determined by the
Administrator. The Plan Administrator has the discretion to implement one or
more repricing programs whereby outstanding options under the 1992 Plan with
exercise prices above the current market price of the Common Stock will be
cancelled, and new options will be granted in replacement with an exercise
price based on such current market value.     
 
  The Administrator determines the term of options, which may not exceed 10
years (5 years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10%
Stockholder). No option may be transferred by the optionee other than by will
or the laws of descent or distribution. Each option may be exercised during
the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee. The Administrator
determines when options become exercisable. Subject to the discretion of the
Board of Directors, options granted under the 1992 Plan generally are
immediately exercisable in full, and (i) for the initial option grant to each
optionee (the "Initial Option"), 1/4th of the number of such shares subject to
the option generally vest as of the one year anniversary of the vesting
commencement date and 1/48th of the remainder vest at the end of each month
thereafter; and (ii) for option grants subsequent to the Initial Option,
1/48th of the number of such shares subject to the option generally vest at
the end of each month after the vesting commencement date.
 
  In the event of the merger of the Company with another corporation, in which
the Company is not the surviving entity, then each option shall immediately
vest as to one year of additional vesting. Each option may be thereafter
assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation,
otherwise the options will terminate. The Administrator has the authority to
amend or terminate the 1992 Plan as long as such action does not adversely
affect any outstanding option and provided that, to the extent necessary and
desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, (the "Exchange Act") or with Section 162(m) or 422 of the Code (or
any other applicable law or regulation, including the requirements of the NASD
or an established stock exchange), the Company shall obtain stockholder
approval of any amendment to the 1992 Plan in such a manner and to such a
degree as required.
 
1997 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
   
  The Company's 1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors in October 1997 and approved by the
Company's stockholders in November 1997. A total of 200,000 shares of Common
Stock has been reserved for issuance under the Directors' Plan. The Directors'
Plan provides for the grant of nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee
directors of the Company. The Directors' Plan is designed to work
automatically, without administration; provided, however, to the extent
administration is     
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
necessary, it will be provided by the Board of Directors. To the extent they
arise, it is expected that conflicts of interest will be addressed by
abstention of any interested director from both deliberations and voting
regarding matters in which such director has a personal interest.
 
  The Directors' Plan provides that each person who is or becomes a nonemployee
director of the Company will be granted a nonstatutory stock option to purchase
12,500 shares of Common Stock (the "First Option") on the date on which the
optionee first becomes a nonemployee director of the Company. Thereafter, on
April 1 each year (starting in 2000 for nonemployee directors who were serving
as directors as of the date of the closing of the IPO), each nonemployee
director of the Company will be granted an option to purchase 12,500 shares of
Common Stock (a "Subsequent Option") if, on such date, he or she has served on
the Company's Board of Directors for at least six months.
 
  The Directors' Plan sets neither a maximum nor a minimum number of shares for
which options may be granted to any one nonemployee director, but does specify
the number of shares that may be included in any grant and the method of making
a grant. No option granted under the Directors' Plan is transferable by the
optionee other than by will or the laws of descent or distribution or pursuant
to a qualified domestic relations order, and each option is exercisable, during
the lifetime of the optionee, only by such optionee. The Directors' Plan
provides that the First Option shall become exercisable in installments as to
1/12th of the total number of shares subject to the First Option on each
monthly anniversary of the date of grant of the First Option. Each Subsequent
Option shall become exercisable in installments as to 1/12th of the total
number of shares subject to the Subsequent Option on each monthly anniversary
of the grant date of that Subsequent Option. If a nonemployee Director ceases
to serve as a Director for any reason other than death or disability, he or she
may, but only within 90 days after the date he or she ceases to be a Director
of the Company, exercise options granted under the Directors' Plan to the
extent that he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that he or she was not entitled to exercise any such
option at the date of such termination, or if he or she does not exercise such
option (which he or she was entitled to exercise) within such 90 day period,
such option shall terminate. The exercise price of all stock options granted
under the Directors' Plan shall be equal to the fair market value of a share of
the Common Stock on the grant date of the option. Options granted under the
Directors' Plan have a term of ten years.
 
  In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation or any other reorganization of the Company in
which more than 50% of the shares of the Company entitled to vote are
exchanged, each outstanding option will become exercisable for all the option
shares as fully vested shares immediately prior to the effectiveness of such
dissolution, liquidation, sale, merger or reorganization, at the end of which
time the option shall terminate, unless the option is assumed by the
corporation succeeding the Company or acquiring its business by reason of such
dissolution, liquidation, sale, merger or reorganization. The Board of
Directors may amend or terminate the Directors' Plan; provided, however, that
no such action may adversely affect any outstanding option. If not terminated
earlier, the Directors' Plan will have a term of ten years.
 
1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
  The Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors in September 1997 and approved by the
Company's stockholders in November 1997. A total of 400,000 shares of Common
Stock are reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan.
 
  The Purchase Plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the
Code, will be implemented by offering periods of 24 months duration with new
offering periods (other than the first offering period) commencing on or about
February 1 and August 1 of each year. Each offering period will consist of four
consecutive purchase periods of six months duration, with the last day of each
period being designated a purchase date. However, the first offering period
commenced on November 25, 1997 and will continue through January 31, 2000, with
the first purchase date occurring on July 31, 1998, and subsequent purchase
dates to occur every six months thereafter). The Purchase Plan will be
administered by the Compensation
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
 
Committee (comprised of Messrs. Ghest, Johnson and Stabenow, outside directors
of the Company who are not eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan).
Employees (including officers and employee directors) of the Company, or of
any majority-owned subsidiary designated by the Board, are eligible to
participate in the Purchase Plan if they are employed by the Company or any
such subsidiary for at least 20 hours per week and more than five months per
year. The Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to purchase Common Stock
through payroll deductions, which may not exceed 20% of an employee's
compensation, at a price equal to the lower of 85% of the fair market value of
the Company's Common Stock at the beginning of the offering period or the
purchase date. If the fair market value of the Common Stock on a purchase date
is less than the fair market value at the beginning of the offering period, a
new 24-month offering period will automatically begin on the first business
day following the purchase date with a new fair market value. Employees may
end their participation in the offering at any time during the offering
period, and participation ends automatically on termination of employment with
the Company. If not terminated earlier, the Purchase Plan will have a term of
20 years.
 
  The Purchase Plan provides that in the event of a merger of the Company with
or into another corporation or a sale of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets, each right to purchase stock under the Purchase Plan will be
assumed or an equivalent right substituted by the successor corporation unless
the Board of Directors shortens the offering period so that employees' rights
to purchase stock under the Purchase Plan are exercised prior to the merger or
sale of assets. The Board of Directors has the power to amend or terminate the
Purchase Plan as long as such action does not adversely affect any outstanding
rights to purchase stock thereunder.
 
401(K) PLAN
 
  Effective January 1, 1986, the Company established a 401(k) defined
contribution retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") covering all full-time
employees with greater than three months service. The Retirement Plan provides
for voluntary employee contributions from 1% to 20% of annual compensation,
subject to a maximum limit allowed by Internal Revenue Service guidelines. The
Company may contribute such amounts as determined by the Board of Directors.
Employer contributions vest to participants at a rate of 20% per year of
service, provided that after five years of service all past and subsequent
employer contributions are 100% vested. During the years ended March 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, the Company contributed $318,000, $182,000 and $116,000,
respectively.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
 
  As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law"),
the Company has included in its Restated Certificate of Incorporation a
provision to eliminate the personal liability of its officers and directors
for monetary damages for breach or alleged breach of their fiduciary duties as
officers or directors, respectively, subject to certain exceptions. This
provision does not affect a director's responsibilities under federal
securities laws. In addition, the Company's Bylaws provide that the Company is
required to indemnify its officers and directors under certain circumstances,
including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be
discretionary, and the Company is required to advance expenses to its officers
and directors as incurred in connection with proceedings against them for
which they may be indemnified. The Company has entered into indemnification
agreements with its officers and directors containing provisions that are in
some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained
in the Delaware Law. The indemnification agreements require the Company, among
other things, to indemnify such officers and directors against certain
liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as officers
and directors (other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a
culpable nature), to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any
proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified and to obtain
directors' and officers' insurance if available on reasonable terms. The
Company has also obtained directors' and officers' liability insurance. The
Company believes that its charter provisions and indemnification agreements
are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and
officers.
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  In January 1996, the Company entered into a letter agreement with David M.
Rickey, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. This agreement
entitles Mr. Rickey to a salary of $275,000 per year and term life insurance
purchased by the Company for the benefit of Mr. Rickey's estate. Pursuant to
the terms of the agreement, if the Company enters into certain change-of-
control transactions, the vesting of Mr. Rickey's options to purchase shares
of the Company's Common Stock will accelerate. In addition, the agreement
provides that if the Company is acquired and the per share value of the
Company's Common Stock is less than $3.00 per share, the Company will
compensate Mr. Rickey for the difference between $3.00 per share and the per
share merger or sale price determined by the Company's Board of Directors. The
letter agreement provides that Mr. Rickey's employment is at will and
terminable by the Company or Mr. Rickey for any reason, with or without cause,
and with or without notice.
 
  In February 1996, the Company entered into a loan arrangement with Mr.
Rickey, pursuant to which the Company loaned to Mr. Rickey $150,000 ("Note No.
1") and $53,000 ("Note No. 2") at an annual interest rate of 5.32%. Note No. 1
was a full recourse, unsecured real estate bridge loan with accrued interest
and principal payable upon the earlier of February 12, 1999 or the sale of the
house in which Mr. Rickey lived prior to relocating to San Diego to accept
employment as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Note No. 2
was the reinstatement of a loan which had been made previously to Mr. Rickey
in connection with the exercise of incentive stock options while serving as
Vice President, Manufacturing for the Company. Note No. 2 was a full recourse,
unsecured promissory note with accrued interest and principal payable no later
than February 12, 1999. Note No. 1 and Note No. 2 may be declared payable in
full by the Company in the event that Mr. Rickey ceases to be employed by the
Company. In May 1996, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Mr.
Rickey pursuant to which the Company loaned $750,000 ("Note No. 3") to Mr.
Rickey at an interest rate of 5.76% per annum compounded annually. The
proceeds of the loan were used to exercise options granted by Mr. Rickey's
former employer, which were expiring as a result of Mr. Rickey's termination
of employment with the former employer in order to join the Company. The loan
is evidenced by a non-recourse promissory note, which is secured by 46,500
shares of Common Stock of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. The principal and
accrued interest on Note No. 3 are due and payable in full on May 1, 1999,
unless accelerated in whole or in part in the event of (i) a default under the
loan agreement or pledge agreement for Note No. 3, (ii) a default in payment
under Note No. 3 or any other promissory note issued to the Company by Mr.
Rickey, (iii) the voluntary or involuntary termination of Mr. Rickey's
employment with the Company or (iv) the sale of any portion of the Common
Stock securing Note No. 3. Each of Note No. 1, Note No. 2 and Note No. 3 were
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to the approval of
Mr. Rickey's offer of employment with the Company. In September 1996, Mr.
Rickey repaid approximately $142,000 of the principal on Note No. 1, and in
April 1997, Mr. Rickey delivered a full recourse, unsecured promissory note
with a principal amount of $12,392 and an interest rate of 5.91% per annum in
payment of the balance of the amount owing under Note No. 1. The aggregate
principal balance outstanding under such note and Notes No. 2 and No. 3 at
December 31, 1997 was $815,392. Mr. Rickey is current in his payments under
all such notes.
 
  In July 1997, Mr. Rickey exercised stock options granted under the 1992
Plan. In payment of the purchase price for the exercised shares, Mr. Rickey
delivered full recourse promissory notes in principal amounts of approximately
$400,000, $20,000 and $35,000 bearing interest at rates of 5.98%, 5.98% and
6.54%, respectively. The notes and accrued interest thereon are payable in
full in February 2000, February 2000 and April 2001, respectively.
   
  In February 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Laszlo Gal,
the Company's Vice President, Engineering, pursuant to which the Company
loaned to Mr. Gal $100,000 (the "Gal Note") at an interest rate of 5.54% per
annum compounded annually. The Gal Note is a full recourse loan and is secured
by a second deed of trust on Mr. Gal's residence (the "Property"). The
principal and accrued interest on the Gal Note are due and payable in full on
February 19, 2001, unless accelerated in whole or in part in the event     
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
   
of (i) a default under the loan agreement for the Gal Note, (ii) a default in
payment under the Gal Note, (iii) the voluntary or involuntary termination of
Mr. Gal's employment with the Company, (iv) a declaration of Bankruptcy by Mr.
Gal or (v) a sale or any other transfer of the Property. The Gal Note was
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. The current aggregate
principal balance outstanding under the Gal Note is $100,000.     
   
  In February 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Anil K.
Bedi pursuant to which the Company loaned $150,000 (the "Bedi Note") to Mr.
Bedi at an interest rate of 5.54% per annum compounded annually. The Bedi Note
is a full recourse loan and is secured by an option held by Mr. Bedi that is
exercisable for 174,666 shares of Common Stock (the "Option Shares"). The
principal and accrued interest on the Bedi Note are due and payable in full on
August 18, 1999, unless accelerated in whole or in part in the event of (i)
the voluntary or involuntary termination of Mr. Bedi's employment with the
Company, (ii) the transfer of the Option Shares, (iii) a failure to pay any
amount under the Bedi Note, (iv) the commencement of any bankruptcy
proceedings against Mr. Bedi, (v) any assignment of the Option Shares for the
benefit of Mr. Bedi's creditors or (vi) any other uncured breach of Mr. Bedi's
representations, warranties or obligations under the Bedi Note. The Bedi Note
was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. The current aggregate
principal balance outstanding under the Bedi Note is $150,000.     
 
  The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers
and directors containing provisions that may require the Company, among other
things, to indemnify its officers and directors against certain liabilities
that may arise by reason of their status or service as officers or directors
(other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature)
and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against
them as to which they could be indemnified. For a description of limitations
of liability and certain indemnification arrangements with respect to the
Company's officers and directors, see "Management -- Limitation of Liability
and Indemnification Matters."
 
  Certain stockholders are entitled to certain registration rights with
respect to the Common Stock held by such stockholders. See "Description of
Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."
 
  For a description of compensation of officers and directors of the Company
and the eligibility of officers and directors of the Company to participate in
the Company's employee benefit plans, see "Management --Board Compensation"
and "-- Executive Compensation."
 
  The Company believes that all of the transactions set forth above were made
on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from
unaffiliated third parties. All future transactions, including loans, between
the Company and its officers, directors, principal stockholders and affiliates
will be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, including a majority
of the independent and disinterested outside directors on the Board of
Directors, and will be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be
obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
 
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
                      PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of December 31, 1997 and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of the Common Stock offered by the Company
pursuant to this Prospectus by (i) each of the Company's directors and Named
Officers, (ii) all directors and executive officers as a group and (iii) each
person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
Company's Common Stock.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 SHARES                                     SHARES
                           BENEFICIALLY OWNED                         BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                          PRIOR TO OFFERING(1)                       AFTER OFFERING(1)(3)
                          --------------------      NUMBER OF       ---------------------
                           NUMBER   PERCENT(2) SHARES OFFERED(3)(4)   NUMBER     PERCENT(2)
                          --------- ---------- -------------------- ------------ ------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>        <C>                  <C>          <C>
David M. Rickey (5).....    893,332    4.28%            --               893,332       3.99%
Joel O. Holliday (6)....    505,261    2.41             --               505,261       2.25
Roger A. Smullen (7)....    540,746    2.59             --               540,746       2.42
Thomas L. Tullie (8)....    166,665     *               --               166,665       *
Anil K. Bedi (9)........    226,666    1.08             --               226,666       1.01
Laszlo V. Gal (10)......    213,332    1.01             --               213,332       *
William K. Bowes, Jr.,
 including shares held
 by affiliates of U.S.
 Venture Partners (11)..    850,226    4.06             --               790,223       3.52
Franklin P. Johnson,
 Jr., including shares
 held by Asset
 Management Partners and
 Asset Management
 Associates (12)........    650,398    3.11             --               299,781       1.34
Arthur B. Stabenow (13).     86,663     *               --                86,663       *
R. Clive Ghest (14).....     50,000     *               --                50,000       *
Sequoia Capital (15)....  1,199,992    5.75             --             1,199,992       5.36
 3000 Sand Hill Road
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
U.S. Venture Partners
 (16)...................    780,993    3.74            60,003            720,990       3.30
Asset Management Associ-
 ates and Asset Manage-
 ment Partners (17).....    587,066    2.81           350,617            236,449       1.06
Funds affiliated with
 BancAmerica Robertson
 Stephens (18)..........    718,964    3.44           225,081            493,883       2.21
Alan R. Brudos (19).....    412,422    1.98           116,889            295,533       1.32
Jonathan Yu (20)........    269,559    1.29            58,257            211,302       *
General Electric Company
 (21)...................    221,078    1.06           175,794             45,284       *
Additional Selling
 Stockholders (133
 persons), each holding
 less than 1.0% of the
 Common Stock prior to
 this offering..........  1,373,746    6.58         1,213,359            160,387       *
All directors and execu-
 tive officers as a
 group (10 persons)
 (22)(23)...............  4,283,289   19.93                            3,872,669      16.89
</TABLE>    
- --------
  *  Less than 1% of the outstanding shares
 (1) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. Except
     pursuant to applicable community property laws or as indicated in the
     footnotes to this table, to the Company's knowledge, each stockholder
     identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power with
     respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by such
     stockholder.
 (2) Applicable percentage of ownership for each stockholder is based on
     20,870,368 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 1997.
     Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
     SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect to the shares.
     In computing the shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage
     of ownership of that person, shares of
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
       
    Common Stock subject to options held by that person that are currently
    exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 1997 are deemed
    outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the
    purposes of computing the percentage ownership of each other person.
   
 (3) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See
     "Underwriting." If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
     in full, certain stockholders will sell an aggregate of 555,000
     additional shares of Common Stock. Specifically, in such event, (i)
     BancAmerica Robertson Stephens and affiliated entities will sell an
     aggregate of 57,983 additional shares and will beneficially own 435,900
     shares, or 1.95% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, after
     completion of this offering, (ii) Alan R. Brudos and affiliated entities
     will sell an additional 30,111 shares and will beneficially own 265,422
     shares, or 1.19% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, after
     completion of this offering, (iii) Jonathan Yu and affiliated entities
     will sell an additional 15,009 shares and will beneficially own 196,293
     shares, or less than 1.0% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock,
     after completion of this offering and (iv) General Electric Company will
     sell an additional 45,284 shares and will beneficially own no shares of
     the Company's outstanding Common Stock, after completion of this
     offering.     
   
 (4) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock sold by selling
     stockholders in this offering may increase based upon additional
     expressions of interest.     
   
 (5) Includes 440,554 shares that are no longer subject to repurchase by the
     Company.     
   
 (6) Includes 321,931 shares held in the name of Joel O. Holliday and Rosanne
     R. Holliday, Co-Trustees of the Joel O. Holliday Family Trust dated April
     1, 1985 and 66,666 shares held in the name of the Holliday Children 1985
     Trust. Includes 55,556 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
     of immediately exercisable options which are subject to repurchase rights
     in favor of the Company, of which 9,722 shares are no longer subject to
     repurchase by the Company. Mr. Holliday disclaims beneficial ownership of
     the shares held of record by the Holliday Children 1985 Trust.     
   
 (7) Includes 523,245 shares of Common Stock that are no longer subject to
     repurchase by the Company.     
   
 (8) Includes 62,500 shares that are no longer subject to repurchase by the
     Company.     
   
 (9) Includes 10,000 shares held in the name of Anjuli Bedi Irrevocable Trust
     dated March 13, 1997 and 174,666 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
     exercise of immediately exercisable options which are subject to
     repurchase rights in favor of the Company, of which 25,360 shares are no
     longer subject to repurchase by the Company.     
   
(10) Represents Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of immediately
     exercisable options which are subject to repurchase rights in favor of
     the Company, of which 61,666 shares are no longer subject to repurchase
     by the Company.     
   
(11) William K. Bowes, Jr., a director of the Company, holds 5,901 shares of
     Common Stock directly. In addition, Mr. Bowes holds immediately
     exercisable options to purchase 63,332 shares of Common Stock which are
     subject to repurchase rights in favor of the Company, of which 27,220
     shares are no longer subject to repurchase by the Company. In addition,
     Mr. Bowes is a partner of the general partner of U.S. Venture Partners,
     which holds 393,374 shares; U.S. Venture Partners III, which holds
     327,616 shares; Second Ventures, L.P., which holds 53,336 shares; and
     U.S. Ventures, S.A., which holds 6,667 shares. Mr. Bowes disclaims
     beneficial ownership of the shares held by U.S. Venture Partners, U.S.
     Venture Partners III, Second Ventures, L.P. and U.S. Ventures, S.A.,
     except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. See Note 16.     
   
(12) Includes 63,332 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of
     immediately exercisable options which are subject to repurchase rights,
     of which 27,220 shares are no longer subject to repurchase by the
     Company. Mr. Johnson is the general partner of AMC Partners, the general
     partner of Asset Management Partners, which holds 236,449 shares. In
     addition, AMC Partners is a general partner of Asset Management
     Associates, which holds 350,617 shares. Mr. Johnson disclaims beneficial
     ownership with respect to the shares held by Asset Management Partners
     and Asset Management Associates, except to the extent of his pecuniary
     interest therein. See Note 17.     
   
(13) Includes 59,037 shares that are no longer subject to repurchase by the
     Company.     
   
(14) Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of immediately
     exercisable options which are subject to repurchase rights in favor of
     the Company, of which 9,722 shares are no longer subject to repurchase by
     the Company.     
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
   
(15) Includes 1,142,856 shares held by Sequoia Capital Growth Fund and 57,136
     shares held by Sequoia Technology Partners III.     
   
(16) Includes 393,374 shares held by U.S. Venture Partners, 327,616 shares held
     by U.S. Venture Partners III, 53,336 shares held by Second Ventures L.P.
     and 6,667 shares held by U.S. Ventures, S.A. William K. Bowes, Jr., a
     director of the Company, is a partner of the general partner of each of
     these partnerships. Mr. Bowes disclaims beneficial ownership of such
     shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. See Note
     11.     
   
(17) Includes 236,449 shares held by Asset Management Partners and 350,617
     shares by Asset Management Associates. Franklin P. Johnson, Jr., a
     director of the Company, is a general partner of AMC Partners, the general
     partner of Asset Management Associates and Asset Management Partners. Mr.
     Johnson disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to the shares held by
     Asset Management Partners and Asset Management Associates, except to the
     extent of his pecuniary interest therein. See Note 12.     
   
(18) Includes 58,088 shares held by Atwell & Co., Nominee for the benefit of
     the Crossover Fund Account #89855401, 19,048 held by Crufic & Co., for the
     account of RCS Emerging Growth Fund, 9,928 held in the name of Robertson,
     Stephens & Co., L.P., 69,949 held in the name of RCS Ltd., 419,040 shares
     held in the name of RCSW II, 131,569 shares held in the name of Robertson,
     Colman & Stephens and 11,342 shares held in the name of Robertson,
     Stephens & Co.     
          
(19) Includes 122,691 shares held by Banner Partners, 122,691 shares held by
     Bryco Investments, 74,009 shares held by Jupiter Partners, L.P., 68,550
     shares held by Ritter Partners and 24,481 shares held by Alan R. Brudos.
     Mr. Brudos disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to the shares held
     by Banner Partners, Bryco Investments, Jupiter Partners, L.P. and Ritter
     Partners, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.     
   
(20) Includes 109,560 shares held by Jonathan Yu, 100,000 shares held by
     Gwyneth Yu Van, Trustee of the Yu Children Trust dated October 2, 1985,
     33,333 shares held by Mabel Yu, Trustee, Henry C.C. Trust, 20,000 shares
     held by the Yu Family Trust and 6,666 shares held by Gwyneth Yu Van.     
   
(21) Includes 85,719 shares held by General Electric Company and 135,359 shares
     held by General Electric Pension Trust.     
   
(22) Includes 1,368,059 shares held by entities affiliated with certain
     directors as described in Notes 11, 12, 16 and 17. Also includes 160,910
     shares subject to immediately exercisable options and for which the
     repurchase rights have lapsed.     
       
                                       61
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 60,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value, and 2,000,000 shares of undesignated Preferred
Stock, $.01 par value.
 
COMMON STOCK
   
  As of December 31, 1997, there were 20,870,368 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, held of record by approximately 800 stockholders, and options to
purchase an aggregate of 2,188,276 shares of Common Stock were also
outstanding. There will be 22,370,368 shares of Common Stock outstanding
(assuming no exercise of options outstanding under the Company's 1982 Plan and
1992 Plan or other options outstanding as of December 31, 1997) after giving
effect to the sale of the shares of Common Stock to the public offered hereby.
    
  The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Subject to
preferential rights with respect to any outstanding Preferred Stock, holders
of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.
See "Dividend Policy." In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in
all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and satisfaction of
preferential rights of any outstanding Preferred Stock. The Common Stock has
no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. The
outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock to be
issued upon completion of this offering will be, fully paid and non-
assessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Board of Directors is authorized to issue Preferred Stock in one or more
series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting
rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and
the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such
series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of
Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders.
The issuance of Preferred Stock with voting and conversion rights may
adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock, including
voting rights, of the holders of Common Stock. In certain circumstances, such
issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the Common
Stock. As of the closing of the offering, no shares of Preferred Stock will be
outstanding and the Company currently has no plans to issue any shares of
Preferred Stock.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
   
  The holders of 954,639 shares of Common Stock (the "Registrable Securities")
or their transferees are entitled to certain rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. These rights are
provided under the terms of agreements between the Company and the holders of
the Registrable Securities. Subject to certain limitations in the agreement,
the holders of at least 40% of the Registrable Securities (the "Initiating
Holders") may require, on two occasions after the closing of the offering,
that the Company use its best efforts to register the Registrable Securities
for public resale provided that a minimum of $5,000,000 in Common Stock must
be sold by the Initiating Holders in such public resale. If the Company
registers any of its Common Stock either for its own account or for the
account of other security holders, the holders of Registrable Securities are
entitled to include their shares of Common Stock in such registration, subject
to the ability of the underwriters to limit the number of shares included in
this offering. The holders of Registrable Securities may also require the
Company to register all or a portion of their Registrable Securities on Form
S-3 when use of such form becomes available to the Company. All registration
expenses must be borne by the Company and all selling expenses relating to the
Registrable Securities must be borne by the holders of the securities being
registered.     
 
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The name and address of transfer agent and registrar for the Company's
Common Stock is Harris Trust Company of California, 601 South Figueroa St.,
Ste. 4900, Los Angeles, California, 90017. Its telephone number at that
address is (213) 239-0671.
 
LISTING
 
  The Company's Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the
trading symbol AMCC. The Company's Common Stock is not listed on any other
exchange. See "Risk Factors--Volatility of Stock Price."
 
                                      63
<PAGE>
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
   
  Upon completion of the offering, the Company will have outstanding
22,370,368 shares of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option and no exercise of options outstanding under the
Company's 1982 Plan and 1992 Plan or other options outstanding after December
31, 1997). Of these shares, the 3,700,000 shares sold in the offering (plus
any shares issued upon exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option)
will be freely tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act, unless
purchased by "affiliates" of the Company as that term is defined in Rule 144
under the Securities Act. The 6,385,950 shares sold in the IPO (the "IPO
Shares") are also freely tradable without restriction.     
   
  The remaining 12,284,418 shares of Common Stock outstanding are "restricted
securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act
("Restricted Shares"). Restricted Shares may be sold in the public market only
if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under
Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, which are
summarized below. Sales of the Restricted Shares in the public market, or the
availability of such shares for sale, could adversely affect the market price
of the Common Stock.     
   
  Approximately 579,000 shares of the remaining Common Stock have been
eligible for immediate sale in the public market without restriction under
rule 144(k) since the effective date of the Registration Statement filed
pursuant to the Company's IPO (the "IPO Effective Date"), some or all of which
shares may have been sold in the public market as of December 31, 1997. The
holders of approximately 11,705,418 shares of the remaining Common Stock of
the Company are subject to lock-up agreements (the "IPO Lock-Up Agreements")
with the Representatives of the Underwriters generally providing that they
will not offer, sell, contract to sell or grant any option to purchase or
otherwise dispose of the shares of Common Stock of the Company or any
securities exercisable for or convertible into the Company's Common Stock
owned by them until May 24, 1998, the date 180 days after the IPO Effective
Date, without the prior written consent of BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, the
designated representative of the Underwriters. In addition, the holders of
approximately 2,163,800 shares of the remaining Common Stock have entered into
similar lock-up agreements ("Lock-up Agreements") with the Representatives of
the Underwriters, which agreements expire 90 days after the effective date of
the registration statement filed pursuant to this offering (the "Effective
Date"). As a result of these contractual restrictions, notwithstanding
possible earlier eligibility for sale under the provisions of Rules 144 (as
described below), 144(k) and 701, shares subject to Lock-Up Agreements and IPO
Lock-Up Agreements will not be saleable until such agreements expire or are
waived by the designated Underwriters' Representative. Taking into account the
Lock-Up Agreements and IPO Lock-Up Agreements, and assuming the designated
Underwriters' Representative does not release stockholders from these
agreements, the following shares will be eligible for sale in the public
market at the following times: beginning on the Effective Date, only the
shares sold in this offering, the IPO Shares and up to approximately 579,000
shares pursuant to Rule 144(k), will be immediately available for sale in the
public market; beginning on February 22, 1998, which is the date 90 days after
the IPO Effective Date, approximately 607,000 additional shares will be
eligible for sale, subject in some cases to volume and other restrictions
under Rule 144; beginning May 24, 1998, the date 180 days after the IPO
Effective Date, approximately 8,934,618 shares will be freely tradeable,
subject in some cases to the volume and other restrictions of Rule 144, and
beginning 90 days after the Effective Date approximately 2,163,800 additional
shares will be freely tradeable, subject in some cases to the volume and other
restrictions of Rule 144.     
   
  In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, and beginning after the
expiration of the applicable lock-up agreement, a person (or persons whose
shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned Restricted Shares for at
least one year would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a
number of shares that does not exceed the greater of: (i) one percent of the
number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding (which will equal
approximately 223,704 shares immediately after the offering); or (ii) the
average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock during the four calendar
weeks preceding the sale. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain
manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of
current public information about the Company. Under Rule 144(k), a person who
is not deemed to have been     
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
an affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months preceding a
sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at
least two years, is entitled to sell such shares without complying with the
manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of
Rule 144.
   
  All Company employees who acquire Common Stock pursuant to stock option
grants under the 1992 Plan are restricted from selling securities of the
Company until May 24, 1998, the date 180 days after the IPO Effective Date,
with the exception that employees who have entered into Lock-Up Agreements are
restricted from selling securities of the Company until 90 days after the
Effective Date. The 1982 Plan contains no such lock-up provisions. Therefore,
beginning 90 days after the IPO Effective Date, any employee, officer or
director of or consultant to the Company who purchased his or her shares
pursuant to the 1982 Plan and who has not entered into a Lock-Up Agreement or
IPO Lock-Up Agreement may be entitled to rely on the resale provisions of Rule
701 to the extent that such shares were purchased after May 20, 1988. In
addition, beginning upon expiration of the time period specified in the
applicable Lock-Up Agreement or IPO Lock-Up Agreement, any employee, officer
or director of or consultant to the Company who purchased his or her shares
after May 20, 1988, pursuant to options that were granted under the Company's
1982 Plan or who purchased his or her shares pursuant to options that were
granted under the Company's 1992 Plan and who has entered into a Lock-Up
Agreement or IPO Lock-Up Agreement, as applicable, may be entitled to rely on
the resale provisions of Rule 701. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their
Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period
requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates may
sell such shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the
holding period, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of
Rule 144. In addition, the Company filed a registration statement under the
Securities Act to register the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to
the Company's Purchase Plan on the IPO Effective Date and intends to file
registration statements under the Securities Act on or about February 22, 1998
to register all of the shares to be issued pursuant to the Company's other
employee benefit plans. As a result, any options exercised under the 1982
Plan, the 1992 Plan or any other benefit plan after the effectiveness of such
registration statement will also be freely tradeable in the public market,
except to the extent restricted under Lock-Up Agreements or IPO Lock-Up
Agreements as described above, and except that shares held by affiliates will
be subject to the volume limitation, manner of sale, notice and public
information requirements of Rule 144 unless otherwise resaleable under Rule
701. As of December 31, 1997, there were outstanding options for the purchase
of 2,188,276 shares, of which options for 2,188,276 shares were exercisable,
subject in certain cases to repurchase rights of the Company. No shares have
been issued to date under the Company's Purchase Plan or Directors Plan. See
"Risk Factors -- Shares Eligible for Future Sale," "Management -- 1982
Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan," "-- 1992 Stock Option Plan," "1997
Directors' Plan" and "-- 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan" and "Description
of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."     
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  The Underwriters named below, acting through their representatives,
BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC and
Cowen & Company (the "Representatives"), have severally agreed, subject to the
terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase from the
Company and the Selling Stockholders the number of shares of Common Stock set
forth opposite their respective names below. The Underwriters are committed to
purchase and pay for all such shares if any are purchased.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NUMBER
   UNDERWRITER                                                         OF SHARES
   -----------                                                         ---------
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   BancAmerica Robertson Stephens.....................................
   NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC..............................
   Cowen & Company....................................................
                                                                       ---------
     Total............................................................ 3,700,000
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>    
   
  The Representatives have advised the Company and the Selling Stockholders
that the Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock to the
public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price, less a concession of not more
than $   per share, of which $   per share may be reallowed to other dealers.
After the public offering, the public offering price, concession and
reallowance to dealers may be reduced by the Representatives. No such
reduction shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by the Company as
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.     
   
  Certain Selling Stockholders have granted to the Underwriters an option,
exercisable during the 30-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to
purchase up to an additional 555,000 shares of Common Stock at the same price
per share as the Company and the Selling Stockholders receive for the
3,700,000 shares that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. To the extent
that the Underwriters exercise such option, each of the Underwriters will have
a firm commitment to purchase approximately the same percentage of such
additional shares that the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by
it shown in the above table represents as a percentage of the 3,700,000 shares
offered hereby. If purchased, such additional shares will be sold by the
Underwriters on the same terms as those on which the 3,700,000 shares are
being sold. Certain Selling Stockholders will be obligated, pursuant to the
option, to sell shares to the Underwriters to the extent the option is
exercised. The Underwriters may exercise such option only to cover over-
allotments made in connection with the sale of shares of Common Stock offered
hereby.     
 
  The Underwriting Agreement contains covenants of indemnity among the
Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and liability arising from breaches of representations and warranties
contained in the Underwriting Agreement.
   
  Pursuant to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreements, the holders of
approximately 2,163,800 shares of the Company's Common Stock have agreed with
the Company or the Representatives that, until the expiration of the 90 day
period following the effective date of the registration statement filed
pursuant to this offering (the "Effective Date"), subject to certain limited
exceptions, they will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to
sell, grant any option to purchase, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or
transfer, any shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, or any rights to purchase or acquire, shares of Common
Stock, now owned or hereafter acquired by such holders or with respect to
which they have or hereafter acquire the power of disposition, without the
prior written consent of BancAmerica Robertson Stephens. In addition, pursuant
to the IPO Lock-Up Agreements, approximately 8,934,618 shares of Common Stock
are subject to a similar lockup agreement that expires after May 23, 1998.
BancAmerica Robertson Stephens may, in its sole discretion, without notice,
release all or any portion of the securities subject to the Lock-up     
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
   
Agreements or the IPO Lock-Up Agreements. See "Shares Eligible for Future
Sale." Approximately 8,934,618 shares of Common Stock subject to the IPO Lock-
Up Agreements will be eligible for immediate public sale on May 24, 1998 and
approximately 2,163,800 shares of Common Stock subject to Lock-Up Agreements
will be available for immediate public sale following the expiration of the 90
day period following the Effective Date, subject to Rule 144. In addition, the
Company has agreed that, until the expiration of the 180 day period following
the Effective Date, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of
BancAmerica Robertson Stephens, subject to certain exceptions, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to
purchase any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into,
exercisable for or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock other than the
Company's sale of shares in this offering, the issuance of Common Stock upon
the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, or the Company's grant of
options and issuance of stock under existing stock option or stock purchase
plans. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."     
 
  The Representatives have advised the Company and the Selling Stockholders
that the Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to accounts over which
they exercise discretionary authority.
   
  The Representatives have advised the Company that, pursuant to Regulation M,
certain persons participating in this offering may engage in transactions,
including stabilizing bids, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition
of penalty bids which may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the
market price of Common Stock at a level above that which might otherwise
prevail in the open market. A "stabilizing bid" is a bid for or the purchase of
the Common Stock on behalf of the Underwriters for the purpose of fixing or
maintaining the price of the Common Stock. A "syndicate covering transaction"
is the bid for or the purchase of the Common Stock on behalf of the
Underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the Underwriters in
connection with this offering. A "penalty bid" is an arrangement permitting the
Representatives to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to an
Underwriter or syndicate member in connection with this offering if the Common
Stock originally sold by such Underwriter or syndicate member is purchased by
the Representatives in a syndicate covering transaction and has therefore not
been effectively placed by such Underwriter or syndicate member. The
Representatives have advised the Company that such transactions may be effected
on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.     
 
  As permitted by Rule 103 under the Exchange Act, Underwriters or prospective
Underwriters that are market makers ("passive market makers") in the Common
Stock may make bids for or purchases of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market until such time, if any, when a stabilizing bid for such securities has
been made. Rule 103 generally provides that: (i) a passive market maker's net
daily purchases of the Common Stock may not exceed 30% of its average daily
trading volume in such securities for the two full consecutive calendar months
(or any 60 consecutive days ending within the 10 days) immediately preceding
the filing date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part; (ii) a passive market maker may not effect transactions or display bids
for the Common Stock at a price that exceeds the highest independent bid for
the Common Stock by persons who are not passive market makers; and (iii) bids
made by passive market makers must be identified as such.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Venture Law Group, A Professional Corporation, Menlo Park,
California. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be
passed upon for the Underwriters by Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, Palo
Alto, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
at March 31, 1996 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 1997, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance
upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission, a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (together with all amendments, schedules and exhibits thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of
the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth
in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements made in this
Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are
not necessarily complete; with respect to each such contract, agreement or
other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is
made to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved and
each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such
reference. The Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto may be
inspected, without charge, at the public reference facilities maintained by
the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at 500 West Madison Street,
Chicago, IL 60661, and 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies
of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto may also be
accessed through the EDGAR terminals in the Commission's public reference
facilities in Washington, D.C. or through the World Wide Web at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                       APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.........................  F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1996 and 1997 and December 31,
 1997 (Unaudited).........................................................  F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the
 period ended March 31, 1997 and for the nine months ended December 31,
 1996 and 1997 (Unaudited)................................................  F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the three
 years in the period ended March 31, 1997 and for the nine months ended
 December 31, 1997 (Unaudited)............................................  F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the
 period ended March 31, 1997 and for the nine months ended December 31,
 1996 and 1997 (Unaudited)................................................  F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................  F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Applied
Micro Circuits Corporation as of March 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1997. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation at March 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended March 31, 1997, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Diego, California
April 25, 1997, except footnote 4, as to which the date is February 9, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                       APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                                -----------------  ------------
                                                  1996     1997        1997
                                                --------  -------  ------------
                                                                    (Unaudited)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>      <C>
                    ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...................  $  4,277  $ 5,488    $ 9,923
  Short-term investments -- available-for-
   sale.......................................     4,541    8,109     26,307
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $90 and $200 at March
   31, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $350
   at December 31, 1997 (unaudited)...........     9,476    8,418     10,529
  Inventories.................................     6,836    7,530      8,002
  Deferred income taxes.......................       --       --       1,813
  Notes receivable from officer and employee..       150        8         21
  Other current assets........................       574      690        927
                                                --------  -------    -------
   Total current assets.......................    25,854   30,243     57,522
Notes receivable from officer and employees...        53      803        908
Property and equipment, net...................    11,929   10,768     15,427
                                                --------  -------    -------
 Total assets.................................  $ 37,836  $41,814    $73,857
                                                ========  =======    =======
     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable............................  $  3,981  $ 2,428    $ 5,010
  Accrued payroll and related expenses........     1,291    3,102      3,407
  Other accrued liabilities...................     2,130    1,881        934
  Deferred revenue............................       831      806      1,261
  Current portion of long-term debt...........       582       37         --
  Current portion of capital lease obliga-
   tions......................................     3,062    2,625      2,215
                                                --------  -------    -------
   Total current liabilities..................    11,877   10,879     12,827
Long-term debt, less current portion..........        37      --          --
Long-term capital lease obligations, less cur-
 rent portion.................................     4,410    3,192      1,675
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 6 and 10)
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value:
   2,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
   and outstanding............................       --       --         --
  Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par val-
   ue:
  Authorized shares -- 1,350,000..............
  Issued and outstanding shares -- 1,223,594
   at March 31, 1996 and 1997.................
  Liquidation value -- $25,695 at March 31,
   1996 and 1997 and none at December 31,
   1997.......................................        12       12        --
  Common stock, $0.01 par value:
  Authorized shares -- 34,500,000 at March 31,
   1996 and 1997 and 60,000,000 at December
   31, 1997 (unaudited)
  Issued and outstanding shares -- 4,968,316
   and 5,025,357 at March 31, 1996 and 1997,
   respectively, and 20,870,368 at December
   31, 1997, (unaudited)......................        49       50        208
  Additional paid-in capital..................    36,971   36,974     59,716
  Deferred compensation.......................       --       --        (512)
  Retained earnings (deficit).................   (15,444)  (9,235)       444
  Notes receivable from stockholders..........       (76)     (58)      (501)
                                                --------  -------    -------
   Total stockholders' equity.................    21,512   27,743     59,355
                                                --------  -------    -------
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...  $ 37,836  $41,814    $73,857
                                                ========  =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                       APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                      ENDED
                                       YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                      -------------------------  ---------------
                                       1995     1996     1997     1996    1997
                                      -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
                                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Net revenues........................  $46,950  $50,264  $57,468  $42,464 $54,874
Cost of revenues....................   27,513   34,169   30,057   22,800  25,370
                                      -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Gross profit........................   19,437   16,095   27,411   19,664  29,504
Operating expenses:
  Research and development..........   10,108    8,283    7,870    5,668   9,339
  Selling, general and administra-
   tive.............................   10,112   11,232   12,537    8,986  10,260
                                      -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
    Total operating expenses........   20,220   19,515   20,407   14,654  19,599
                                      -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Operating income (loss).............     (783)  (3,420)   7,004    5,010   9,905
Interest income (expense), net......     (358)    (242)     (29)       5     294
                                      -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Income (loss) before income taxes...   (1,141)  (3,662)   6,975    5,015  10,199
Provision (benefit) for income tax-
 es.................................      (70)      32      659      474     262
                                      -------  -------  -------  ------- -------
Net income (loss)...................  $(1,071) $(3,694) $ 6,316  $ 4,541 $ 9,937
                                      =======  =======  =======  ======= =======
Primary net income (loss) per share.  $ (0.06) $ (0.20) $  0.33
                                      =======  =======  =======
Shares used in calculating primary
 net income (loss) per share........   18,380   18,580   19,185
                                      =======  =======  =======
Pro forma basic earnings per share:
  Earnings per share................                             $  0.25 $  0.57
                                                                 ======= =======
  Shares used in calculating basic
   earnings per share...............                              17,824  17,499
                                                                 ======= =======
Diluted earnings per share:
  Earnings per share................                             $  0.25 $  0.51
                                                                 ======= =======
  Shares used in computing diluted
   earnings per share...............                              17,897  19,306
                                                                 ======= =======
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         CONVERTIBLE                                                               NOTES
                       PREFERRED STOCK      COMMON STOCK     ADDITIONAL              RETAINED    RECEIVABLE      TOTAL
                      ------------------  ------------------  PAID-IN     DEFERRED   EARNINGS       FROM     STOCKHOLDERS'
                        SHARES    AMOUNT    SHARES    AMOUNT  CAPITAL   COMPENSATION (DEFICIT)  STOCKHOLDERS    EQUITY
                      ----------  ------  ----------  ------ ---------- ------------ ---------  ------------ -------------
<S>                   <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>    <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Balance, March 31,
 1994................  1,223,594  $  12    4,247,977   $ 42   $36,655      $ --      $(10,646)     $(234)       $25,829
  Issuance of stock
   pursuant to exer-
   cise of stock op-
   tions.............        --      --      204,558      2        91        --           --         --              93
  Repurchase of com-
   mon stock.........        --      --      (26,278)    --       (13)       --           (33)       --             (46)
  Net loss...........        --      --          --      --       --         --        (1,071)       --          (1,071)
                      ----------  -----   ----------   ----   -------      -----     --------      -----        -------
Balance, March 31,
 1995................  1,223,594     12    4,426,257     44    36,733        --       (11,750)      (234)        24,805
  Issuance of stock
   pursuant to exer-
   cise of stock op-
   tions.............        --      --      547,767      5       251        --           --         --             256
  Repurchase of com-
   mon stock.........        --      --       (5,708)    --       (13)       --           --         --             (13)
  Payments on and
   forgiveness of
   notes.............        --      --          --      --       --         --           --         158            158
  Net loss...........        --      --          --      --       --         --        (3,694)       --          (3,694)
                      ----------  -----   ----------   ----   -------      -----     --------      -----        -------
Balance, March 31,
 1996................  1,223,594     12    4,968,316     49    36,971        --       (15,444)       (76)        21,512
  Issuance of stock
   pursuant to exer-
   cise of stock op-
   tions.............        --      --       92,680      1        41        --           --         --              42
  Repurchase of com-
   mon stock.........        --      --      (35,639)    --       (38)       --          (107)       --            (145)
  Payment on notes...        --      --          --      --       --         --           --          18             18
  Net income.........        --      --          --      --       --         --         6,316        --           6,316
                      ----------  -----   ----------   ----   -------      -----     --------      -----        -------
Balance, March 31,
 1997................  1,223,594     12    5,025,357     50    36,974        --        (9,235)       (58)        27,743
  Issuance of Common
   Stock, net of is-
   suance costs (un-
   audited)..........         --     --    3,538,448     36    25,076        --           --         --          25,112
  Conversion of pre-
   ferred stock to
   common (unau-
   dited)............ (1,051,294)   (11)  10,717,317    107       (96)       --           --         --             --
  Issuance of stock
   pursuant to exer-
   cise of stock op-
   tions. (unau-
   dited)............        --      --    1,535,975     15       781        --           --        (455)           341
  Exercise of war-
   rants (unaudited).        --      --       53,271     --       --         --           --         --              --
  Payments on notes
   (unaudited).......        --      --          --      --       --         --           --          12             12
  Repurchase of pre-
   ferred stock on
   June 20, 1997
   (unaudited).......   (172,300)    (1)         --      --    (3,618)       --          (258)       --          (3,877)
  Deferred compensa-
   tion related to
   stock options
   (unaudited).......        --      --          --      --       599       (599)         --         --             --
  Amortization of de-
   ferred compensa-
   tion (unaudited)..        --      --          --      --       --          87          --         --              87
  Net income (unau-
   dited)............        --      --          --      --       --         --         9,937        --           9,937
                      ----------  -----   ----------   ----   -------      -----     --------      -----        -------
Balance at December
 31, 1997 (unau-
 dited)..............         --  $  --   20,870,368   $208   $59,716      $(512)    $    444      $(501)       $59,355
                      ==========  =====   ==========   ====   =======      =====     ========      =====        =======
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                       APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NINE MONTHS
                                                                    ENDED
                                      YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                     -------------------------  ---------------
                                      1995     1996     1997     1996    1997
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Operating activities
 Net income (loss).................  $(1,071) $(3,694) $ 6,316  $4,541  $ 9,937
 Adjustments to reconcile net
  income (loss) to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
 Depreciation and amortization.....    5,092    5,311    5,185   3,999    4,053
 Write-offs of inventories.........    1,227    3,663      452     378      598
 Amortization of deferred compen-
  sation...........................      --       --       --      --        87
 Loss on debt forgiveness..........      --       150      --      --       --
 Changes in assets and liabili-
  ties:
  Accounts receivable..............    2,021     (594)   1,058     451   (2,111)
  Inventories......................   (2,312)  (1,776)  (1,146)   (630)  (1,070)
  Other current assets.............     (224)     320     (116) (1,066)    (237)
  Accounts payable.................   (2,079)   1,853   (1,553)   (905)   2,582
  Accrued payroll and other ac-
   crued liabilities...............   (1,290)   1,047    1,562   1,274     (642)
  Deferred income taxes............      --       --       --      --    (1,813)
  Deferred revenue.................       30      416      (25)    128      455
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
   Net cash provided by operating
    activities.....................    1,394    6,696   11,733   8,170   11,839
Investing activities
 Proceeds from sales and maturities
  of short-term investments........    1,500   11,238    7,944   6,466   23,268
 Purchase of short-term invest-
  ments............................   (1,677) (10,859) (11,512) (8,061) (41,466)
 Notes receivable from officer and
  employees........................      --      (203)    (608)   (608)    (118)
 Purchase of property and equip-
  ment.............................   (2,761)  (1,427)  (2,855) (1,907)  (8,431)
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
   Net cash used for investing ac-
    tivities.......................   (2,938)  (1,251)  (7,031) (4,110) (26,747)
Financing activities
 Proceeds from issuance of common
  stock, net.......................       93      256       42      29   25,454
 Repurchase of common stock........      (46)     (13)    (145)    (24)     --
 Repurchase of preferred stock.....      --       --       --      --    (3,877)
 Payments on notes receivable from
  stockholders.....................      --         8       18      18       12
 Payments on capital lease obliga-
  tions............................   (3,224)  (2,750)  (2,824) (2,594)  (2,209)
 Payments on long-term debt........     (800)    (864)    (582)   (337)     (37)
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
   Net cash provided by (used for)
    financing activities...........   (3,977)  (3,363)  (3,491) (2,908)  19,343
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
   Net increase (decrease) in cash
    and cash equivalents...........   (5,521)   2,082    1,211   1,152    4,435
Cash and cash equivalents at begin-
 ning of period....................    7,716    2,195    4,277   4,277    5,488
                                     -------  -------  -------  ------  -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
 period............................  $ 2,195  $ 4,277  $ 5,488  $5,429  $ 9,923
                                     =======  =======  =======  ======  =======
Supplemental disclosure of cash
 flow information:
Cash paid for:
 Interest..........................  $   799  $   715  $   656  $  459  $   358
                                     =======  =======  =======  ======  =======
 Income taxes......................  $    48  $    48  $   770  $  411  $ 2,559
                                     =======  =======  =======  ======  =======
</TABLE>
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
  Capital lease obligations of approximately $3.4 million, $1.2 million and
$1.2 million were incurred during fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and $1.2 million and $282,000 during the nine month periods ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively. During the nine months ended December
31, 1997, notes were received for the exercise of stock options totalling
$455,000.
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Business
 
  AMCC designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, high-
bandwidth silicon solutions for the world's communications infrastructure.
 
 Basis of Presentation
 
  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
 Interim Financial Information (Unaudited)
 
  The accompanying consolidated financial statements at December 31, 1997 and
for the nine months ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 are unaudited but include
all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) which, in the
opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial
position and the operating results and cash flows for the interim date and
periods presented. Results for the interim period ended December 31, 1997 are
not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year or future periods.
 
 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
 
  Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid debt instruments with
original maturities of three months or less at date of acquisition, or money
market type funds. Short-term investments consist of United States treasury
notes, obligations of U.S. government agencies and corporate bonds. The
Company maintains its excess cash in financial institutions with strong credit
ratings and has not experienced any significant losses on its investments. The
estimated fair value of each investment security approximates cost and,
therefore, no unrealized gains or losses existed as of March 31, 1997 and 1996
or at December 31, 1997.
 
  The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      MARCH 31,
                                                    ------------- DECEMBER 31,
                                                     1996   1997      1997
                                                    ------ ------ ------------
      <S>                                           <C>    <C>    <C>
      U.S. treasury securities and obligations of
       U.S. government agencies.................... $2,502 $4,189   $12,683
      U.S. corporate debt securities...............  1,743  3,628    13,124
      Other........................................    296    292       500
                                                    ------ ------   -------
                                                    $4,541 $8,109   $26,307
                                                    ====== ======   =======
</TABLE>
 
  Available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
                                                            1997        1997
                                                          --------- ------------
      <S>                                                 <C>       <C>
      Due in one year or less............................  $5,005     $21,860
      Due after one year through two years...............   3,104       3,047
      Greater than two years.............................     --        1,400
                                                           ------     -------
                                                           $8,109     $26,307
                                                           ======     =======
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 Concentration of Credit Risk
 
  The Company believes that the concentration of credit risk in its trade
receivables is mitigated by the Company's credit evaluation process,
relatively short collection terms and dispersion of its customer base. The
Company generally does not require collateral. The Company has not experienced
significant losses on trade receivables from any particular customer or
geographic region for any period presented.
 
  The Company invests its excess cash in debt instruments of the U.S.
Treasury, governmental agencies and corporations with strong credit ratings.
The Company has established guidelines relative to diversification and
maturities that attempt to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are
periodically reviewed and modified to take advantage of trends in yields and
interest rates. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its
cash equivalents or short-term investments.
 
 Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
disclosures made in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. These
estimates include assessing the collectability of accounts receivable, the use
and recoverability of inventory, estimates to complete engineering contracts,
costs of future product returns under warranty and provisions for
contingencies expected to be incurred. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
 Inventories
 
  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in,
first-out basis) or market. The Company's inventory valuation process is done
on a part-by-part basis. Lower of cost to market adjustments, specifically
identified on a part-by-part basis, reduce the carrying value of the related
inventory and take into consideration reductions in sales prices, excess
inventory levels and obsolete inventory. Once established, these adjustments
are considered permanent and are not reversed until the related inventory is
sold or disposed.
 
 Property and Equipment
 
  Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over the estimated
useful lives of the assets (3 to 7 years) using the straight-line method.
Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and amortized over the shorter of
the useful life of the asset or the lease term. Property and equipment under
capital leases are recorded at the net present value of the minimum lease
payments and are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the assets
or the lease term. Leased assets purchased at the expiration of the lease term
are capitalized at acquisition cost.
 
 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
  On April 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of. The adoption of SFAS No. 121 did
not impact the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
 Advertising Cost
 
  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
 Revenues
 
  Revenues related to product sales are generally recognized when the products
are shipped to the customer. Recognition of revenues and the related cost of
revenues on shipments to distributors that are made under agreements allowing
for price protection and right of return on products unsold by the distributor
are deferred until the distributor ships the product to its customer. Revenues
on engineering design contracts are recognized using the percentage-of-
completion method based on actual cost incurred to date compared to total
estimated costs of the project. Deferred revenue represents the margin on
shipments of products to distributors that will be recognized when the
distributors ship the products to their customers and billings in excess of
costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted engineering design contracts.
 
 Warranty Reserves
 
  Estimated expenses for warranty obligations are accrued as revenue is
recognized. Reserve estimates are adjusted periodically to reflect actual
experience.
 
 Research and Development
 
  Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Substantially all
research and development expenses are related to new product development,
designing significant improvements to existing products and new process
development.
 
 Stock-Based Compensation
 
  The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25") and related
interpretations in accounting for its employee and director stock options
because the alternative fair value accounting provided for under Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation ("SFAS 123") requires the use of option valuation models that
were not developed for use in valuing employee and director stock options.
Under SFAS 123 compensation cost is determined using the fair value of stock-
based compensation determined as of the grant date, and is recognized over the
periods in which the related services are rendered. The statement also permits
companies to elect to continue using the current implicit value accounting
method specified in APB 25 to account for stock-based compensation and
disclose in the footnotes to the financial statements the pro forma effect of
using the fair value method for its stock based compensation.
 
 Reclassification
 
  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current period presentation.
 
 Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
  Earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of
common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods
presented. Common equivalent shares result from stock options and warrants.
For loss periods, common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation
as their effect would be antidilutive, except that the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) has historically required common and common share equivalents
issued during the twelve-month period prior to the initial filing of a
proposed public offering, to be included in the calculation as if they were
outstanding for all periods presented (using the treasury stock method and the
initial public offering price).
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
  In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 128.
"Earnings per Share," which supersedes APB Opinion No. 15. SFAS 128 replaces
the presentation of primary earnings per share (EPS) with "Basic EPS" which
includes no dilution and is based on weighted-average common shares
outstanding for the period. Companies with complex capital structures,
including AMCC, will also be required to present "Diluted EPS" that reflects
the potential dilution of securities such as employee stock options and
warrants to purchase common stock. SFAS 128 is effective for financial
statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997. On February 3,
1998, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 98 which revised the
previous instructions for determining the dilutive effects in earnings per
share computations of common stock and common stock equivalents issued at
prices below the IPO price prior to the effectiveness of the IPO.
 
  Earnings (loss) per share computed under SFAS No. 128 and SAB 98 would be as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEARS ENDED MARCH
                                       31,                NINE MONTHS ENDED
                               ---------------------- -------------------------
                                                      DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
                                1995    1996    1997      1996         1997
                               ------  ------  ------ ------------ ------------
                                   (UNAUDITED)               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                            <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>          <C>
Earnings (loss) per share:
  Basic....................... $ (.06) $(0.21) $ 0.35    $ 0.25       $ 0.57
  Diluted..................... $ (.06) $(0.21) $ 0.35    $ 0.25       $ 0.51
Average shares outstanding:
  Basic (in thousands)........ 17,194  17,394  17,834    17,824       17,499
  Diluted (in thousands)...... 17,194  17,394  17,907    17,897       19,306
</TABLE>
 
 Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 130,
Reporting Comprehensive Income, and SFAS No. 131, Segment Information. Both of
these standards are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1997. SFAS No. 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income,
including net income, be reported in the financial statements in the period in
which they are recognized. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in
equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances
from non-owner sources. Net income and other comprehensive income, including
foreign currency translation adjustments, and unrealized gains and losses on
investments, shall be reported, net of their related tax effect, to arrive at
comprehensive income. The Company does not believe that comprehensive income
or loss has been materially different than net income or loss. SFAS No. 131
amends the requirements for public enterprises to report financial and
descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Operating
segments, as defined in SFAS No. 131, are components of an enterprise for
which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly
by the Company in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing
performance. The financial information is required to be reported on the basis
that is used internally for evaluating the segment performance. The Company
believes it operates in one business and operating segment and does not
believe adoption of SFAS No. 131 will have a material impact on the Company's
financial statements.
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
2. CERTAIN FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     MARCH 31,
                                                 ------------------  DECEMBER 31
                                                   1996      1997       1997
                                                 --------  --------  -----------
   <S>                                           <C>       <C>       <C>
   Inventories (in thousands):
     Finished goods............................  $  2,631  $  1,076    $ 2,347
     Work in process...........................     2,651     4,279      4,344
     Raw materials.............................     1,554     2,175      1,311
                                                 --------  --------    -------
                                                 $  6,836  $  7,530    $ 8,002
                                                 ========  ========    =======
   Property and equipment (in thousands):
     Machinery and equipment...................  $ 19,168  $ 21,211    $24,390
     Leasehold improvements....................     5,588     5,789      6,758
     Computers, office furniture and equipment.    11,396    11,701     14,475
                                                 --------  --------    -------
                                                   36,152    38,701     45,623
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortiza-
    tion.......................................   (24,223)  (27,933)   (30,196)
                                                 --------  --------    -------
                                                 $ 11,929  $ 10,768    $15,427
                                                 ========  ========    =======
</TABLE>
 
  The cost and accumulated amortization of machinery and equipment under
capital leases at March 31, 1997 were approximately $12.2 million and $7.3
million, respectively ($14.9 million and $7.8 million, at March 31, 1996).
Amortization of assets held under capital leases is included with depreciation
expense.
 
  During the years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the nine month
periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 the Company earned interest income of
$441,000, $473,000, $627,000, $444,000 and $648,000, respectively, and
incurred interest expense of $799,000, $715,000, $656,000, $439,000 and
$355,000, respectively.
 
3. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
  Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   MARCH 31
                                                                  ------------
                                                                  1996   1997
                                                                  -----  -----
   <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
   Notes payable with interest rates ranging from 8.3% to 10.5%,
    paid in January 1997........................................  $ 162  $ --
   10.0% notes payable, paid in April 1997......................    457     37
                                                                  -----  -----
                                                                    619     37
   Less current portion.........................................   (582)   (37)
                                                                  -----  -----
                                                                  $  37  $ --
                                                                  =====  =====
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 Common Stock
 
  On October 6, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized, which the
stockholders subsequently approved, a two for three reverse stock split of all
outstanding common stock. All share and per share amounts and stock option
data have been restated to retroactively reflect a stock split.
 
  During the quarter ending December 31, 1997, the Company completed its
initial public offering of 3,538,448 shares of common stock (including an
exercised underwriters' over-allotment option for 832,950 shares) at a price
of $8.00 per share, providing the Company with net proceeds of approximately
$25.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of
approximately $2.0 million and offering costs of approximately $1.2 million.
During November 1997, the certificate of incorporation of the Company was
amended to provide that the authorized number of shares of common and
preferred stock issuable by the Company was 60,000,000 shares of common stock
($0.01 par value) and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($0.01 par value).
 
 Convertible Preferred Stock
 
  A summary of the shares of convertible preferred stock issued and
outstanding at March 31 which were converted into 10,717,317 shares of common
stock in November 1997 (unaudited) is as follows (in thousands, except share
data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          MARCH 31, 1997
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                           SHARES    PREFERENCE
                                                    PAR  ISSUED AND      IN
                                                   VALUE OUTSTANDING LIQUIDATION
                                                   ----- ----------- -----------
   <S>                                             <C>   <C>         <C>
   Series 1.......................................  $ 4     408,692    $ 8,582
   Series 2.......................................    2     238,096      5,000
   Series 3.......................................    6     576,806     12,113
                                                    ---   ---------    -------
     Total........................................  $12   1,223,594    $25,695
                                                    ===   =========    =======
</TABLE>
 
  Each share of Series 1, 2 and 3 preferred stock was convertible at the
option of the holder into approximately 16, 7 and 8 shares of common stock,
respectively, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The Series 1, 2
and 3 preferred shares may have been redeemed upon approval of the Company's
Board of Directors and only with the vote of 60% of the outstanding preferred
stock at a redemption price of $23.10 per share.
 
  Each share of preferred stock was entitled to one vote for each share of
common stock into which it would convert. No dividends were allowed to be paid
to common stockholders unless equivalent dividends were paid to preferred
stockholders. Additionally, the preferred stockholders had certain rights of
first refusal on any new securities offering (other than certain securities
issued to employees), which rights of first refusal terminated upon completion
of the Company's initial public offering, and certain registration rights.
 
  On April 24, 1997 the Board authorized the Company to repurchase up to $4
million of convertible preferred stock, with priority given to the holders of
convertible preferred stock that submitted bids for the sale of their shares
of convertible preferred stock at the lowest price per share. On June 20,
1997, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 172,300 shares of convertible
preferred stock for approximately $3.9 million at prices between $1.20 and
$2.61 per share on as converted to common stock basis.
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
 Preferred Stock
 
  On October 6, 1997, the Board of Directors adopted, which the stockholders
subsequently approved, an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to
allow the issuance of up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restriction thereof,
including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights,
terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number
of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, without
further vote or action by the stockholders.
 
 Stock Options
 
  The Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of incentive
stock options to employees. Generally, options are granted at prices at least
equal to fair value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant as
determined by the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, certain officers
and directors have been granted nonqualified stock options. The Company's 1982
Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan expired in 1992. Options to purchase an
aggregate of 83,309 shares of common stock under the 1982 Plan remain
outstanding as of December 31, 1997 (unaudited).
   
  Options under both plans expire not more than ten years from the date of
grant and are immediately exercisable after the date of grant but are subject
to certain repurchase rights by the Company, at the Company's option, until
such ownership rights have vested. Vesting generally occurs over four years.
At March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1997, 42 shares and 729,007 (unaudited)
shares of common stock were subject to repurchase, respectively.     
 
  Pursuant to an executive employment agreement between the Company and an
executive, the Company granted an option to purchase 800,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at $0.53 per share under the 1992 Stock Option Plan.
The option vests ratably over four years. In the event the Company is
acquired, the agreement stipulates that under certain circumstances the
executive is eligible for certain additional compensation. These options as
well as 66,667 additional options issued in April 1997 were exercised in July
1997. The exercise was paid for with various notes which aggregate $455,000 at
interest rates between 5.98% and 6.54% which are due at the earlier of
February 12, 2000 ($420,000) and April 9, 2001 ($35,000) or the termination of
employment.
 
  Certain other option agreements provide for the exercise of stock options
with long-term promissory notes. These notes bear interest at rates ranging
from 5.32% to 5.91%, are payable at the earlier of termination of employment
or January 1998 and are secured by the shares of common stock purchased with
the notes.
 
  Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) and net income (loss) per
share is required by Statement 123, and has been determined as if the Company
had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of
that statement. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of
grant using the minimum value method using the following weighted average
assumptions for fiscal year 1997 and 1996, respectively: risk free interest
rate of 6.20% and 6.15%; an expected option life of four years; and no annual
dividends.
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
  For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expenses over the vesting period of such options. The
effects of applying Statement 123 for pro forma disclosure purposes are not
likely to be representative of the effects on pro forma net income in future
years because they do not take into consideration pro forma compensation
expenses related to grants made prior to 1996. The Company's pro forma
information follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1996         1997
                                                        -----------  ----------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
Pro forma net income (loss)............................ $(3,718,000) $6,225,000
Pro forma net income (loss) per share.................. $     (0.22) $     0.33
Weighted average fair value of options granted during
 the year.............................................. $      0.12  $     0.15
</TABLE>
 
  A summary of the Company's stock option activity, including those issued
outside of the plans, and related information are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   MARCH 31,
                          --------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1995                 1996                 1997           DECEMBER 31, 1997
                          -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------------
                                     WEIGHTED-            WEIGHTED-            WEIGHTED-             WEIGHTED-
                                      AVERAGE              AVERAGE              AVERAGE               AVERAGE
                                     EXERCISE             EXERCISE             EXERCISE              EXERCISE
                           OPTIONS     PRICE    OPTIONS     PRICE    OPTIONS     PRICE    OPTIONS      PRICE
                           -------   --------- ---------  --------- ---------  --------- ----------  ---------
<S>                       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>
Outstanding at beginning
 of period..............  1,911,566    $0.48   1,633,054    $0.50   1,690,160    $0.51    2,842,293    $0.51
  Granted...............    195,332     0.53   1,017,000     0.53   1,457,285     0.53    1,140,082    $2.36
  Exercised.............   (204,558)    0.45    (547,767)    0.47     (92,680)    0.45   (1,535,975)   $0.52
  Forfeited.............   (269,286)    0.50    (412,127)    0.51    (212,472)    0.53     (258,124)   $0.53
                          ---------    -----   ---------    -----   ---------    -----   ----------    -----
Outstanding at end of
 period.................  1,633,054    $0.50   1,690,160    $0.51   2,842,293    $0.51    2,188,276    $1.48
                          =========    =====   =========    =====   =========    =====   ==========    =====
Vested at end of period.    917,449    $0.48     349,337    $0.51     851,764    $0.51      657,148    $1.48
                          =========    =====   =========    =====   =========    =====   ==========    =====
</TABLE>
 
  The weighted-average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding
at March 31, 1997 is 8.4 years. Exercise prices of all options outstanding as
of March 31, 1997 range from $0.45 to $0.53. The weighted-average remaining
contractual life of the vested options is 6.5 years as of March 31, 1997. The
range of exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 1997 was
$0.45 to $8.25 per share (unaudited).
 
  From April 1, 1997 through September 30, 1997, the Company recorded deferred
compensation expense for the difference between the exercise price and the
deemed fair value for financial statement presentation purposes of the
Company's common stock, as determined by the Board of Directors, for all
options granted in the first and second quarters of fiscal 1998. This deferred
compensation aggregates to $599,000, which is being amortized over the four
year vesting period of the related options.
 
 Warrants
 
  In connection with certain notes payable secured by equipment, capital
leases for equipment and revolving lines of credit issued in 1989 and 1990,
the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 83,807 shares of common stock
at $2.63 to $3.00 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments and
adjustments in the event of certain mergers or acquisitions. No value was
placed on the warrants at the time
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
of issuance as it was deemed to be immaterial. These warrants expired not more
than ten years from date of grant or five years after the Company's initial
public offering, whichever is later. In November 1997 53,271 shares of common
stock were issued upon the net exercise of these warrants at the initial
public offering price of $8.00 per share.
 
 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
  The Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "1997 Purchase Plan")
was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 6, 1997 which the
stockholders subsequently approved. A total of 400,000 shares of Common Stock
are reserved for issuance under the 1997 Purchase Plan.
 
 1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan
 
  The Company's 1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors on October 6, 1997, which the stockholders
subsequently approved. A total of 200,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved
for issuance under the Directors' Plan. The Directors' Plan provides for the
grant of non-statutory options to nonemployee directors of the Company.
 
 Common Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
 
  At December 31, 1997, shares of the Company's common stock are reserved for
issuance upon the conversion or exercise of the following equity instruments
(unaudited):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Stock options:
     Issued and outstanding........................................... 2,188,276
     Authorized for future grants..................................... 2,628,464
   Stock purchase plan................................................   400,000
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       5,216,740
</TABLE>
 
 
5. INCOME TAXES
 
  The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                         ------------------------
                                                          1995     1996    1997
                                                         -------  ------  -------
<S>                                                      <C>      <C>     <C>
CURRENT
Federal................................................. $   --   $   27  $   380
State...................................................     (70)      5      279
                                                         -------  ------  -------
                                                         $   (70) $   32  $   659
                                                         =======  ======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
  The provision (credit) for income taxes reconciles to the amount computed by
applying the federal statutory rate (35%) to income before income taxes as
follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                        1995    1996     1997
                                                        -----  -------  -------
<S>                                                     <C>    <C>      <C>
Tax at federal statutory rate.........................  $(399) $(1,282) $ 2,441
Net operating loss without benefit....................    399    1,282      --
Utilization of net operating loss and research and de-
 velopment tax credit carryforwards...................    --       --    (2,061)
State taxes, net of federal benefit and credits.......    (70)       5      279
Federal alternative minimum tax.......................    --        27      --
                                                        -----  -------  -------
                                                        $ (70) $    32  $   659
                                                        =====  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities
for federal and state income taxes as of March 31, 1997 and 1996 are as shown
below. As of March 31, 1997, a valuation allowance had been recognized to
offset the deferred tax assets as realization of such assets was uncertain.
The estimated annualized effective tax rate for fiscal 1998, which was used to
determine the provision for the nine month period ended December 31, 1997, is
computed based on the Company's projected 1998 income which will allow for a
full reduction of the valuation allowance and realization of the deferred tax
asset.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 MARCH 31,
                                                              ----------------
                                                               1996     1997
                                                              -------  -------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Deferred tax assets (in thousands):
  Reserves................................................... $ 2,512  $ 2,233
  Capitalization of inventory and research and development
   costs.....................................................     334      226
  Research and development credit carryforwards..............   2,405    1,667
  Depreciation and amortization..............................     335      200
  Net operating loss carryforwards...........................   2,102      --
  Other credit carryforwards.................................     886      768
                                                              -------  -------
Subtotal.....................................................   8,574    5,094
Valuation allowance..........................................  (8,574)  (5,094)
                                                              -------  -------
Net deferred taxes........................................... $   --   $   --
                                                              =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  At March 31, 1997, the Company has federal alternative minimum tax,
investment and research and development tax credit carryforwards of
approximately $366,000, $270,000 and $1.6 million, respectively, which will
begin to expire in 1998 unless previously utilized.
 
  Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, the Company's use of its tax credit
carryforwards could be limited in the event of certain cumulative changes in
the Company's stock ownership.
 
  For the nine months ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, income taxes have been
provided based on the estimated annual effective tax rate applied to pre tax
income for the interim period.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
6. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
  The Company leases its present manufacturing facilities under a long-term
operating lease expiring in March 1998. The lease expiring is renewable for up
to ten years. This lease requires the Company to pay property taxes and
incidental maintenance expenses and contains escalation clauses based upon
increases in the Consumer Price Index.
 
  In September 1997, the Company moved into a new administration and
manufacturing facility which is leased under a long-term operating lease. This
lease expires in September 2007, requires the Company to pay property taxes
and incidental maintenance expenses and is renewable for up to ten years. The
lease provides for defined rent increases over the term of the lease.
 
  Annual future minimum lease payments, including machinery and equipment
under capital leases and the Company's commitment relating to its new
administration and manufacturing facility, as of March 31, 1997 are as follows
(in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              OPERATING CAPITAL
   FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31,                                LEASES   LEASES
   ----------------------------                               --------- -------
   <S>                                                        <C>       <C>
    1998.....................................................  $1,037   $2,980
    1999.....................................................     848    2,170
    2000.....................................................     848      759
    2001.....................................................     870      320
    2002.....................................................     889      225
    Thereafter...............................................   5,070       --
                                                               ------   ------
      Total minimum lease payments...........................  $9,562    6,454
                                                               ======
   Less amount representing interest.........................              637
                                                                        ------
   Present value of remaining minimum capital lease payments
    (including current portion of $2,625)....................           $5,817
                                                                        ======
</TABLE>
 
  Rent expense (including short-term leases and net of sublease income) for
the years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 was $1.7 million, $2.3 million
and $1.2 million, respectively. Rent expense for the nine months ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997 was $876,000 and $879,000, respectively. Included
in the 1996 rent expense is an accrual of $565,000 for losses on facilities
for which sublease income was expected to be less than the remaining minimum
lease payments. Sublease income was $16,000, $0 and $208,000 for the years
ended March 31, 1995 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  As of March 31, 1996, the Company had advanced $203,000 to an officer of the
Company. During 1997, an additional $750,000 was advanced to this officer and
$142,000 of the advances made during 1996 were repaid. Notes were received by
the Company providing for interest on the balance at rates from 5.32% to
5.76%. Principal and interest under the notes are due on or before February
28, 1999 and $750,000 of the balance is secured by marketable securities owned
by the officer.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                      APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
 
             (INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE
       NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
8. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN
 
  Effective January 1, 1986, the Company established a 401(k) defined
contribution retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") covering all full-time
employees with greater than three months of service. The Retirement Plan
provides for voluntary employee contributions from 1% to 20% of annual
compensation, subject to a maximum limit allowed by Internal Revenue Service
guidelines. The Company may contribute such amounts as determined by the Board
of Directors. Employer contributions vest to participants at a rate of 20% per
year of service, provided that after five years of service all past and
subsequent employer contributions are 100% vested. The contributions charged
to operations totalled $116,000, $182,000 and $318,000 for the years ended
March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and $202,000 and $241,000 for the
nine months ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
9. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
  During the years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the nine month
periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, 17%, 20% and 20% and 21% and 20%,
respectively, of net revenues were from one customer. No other customer
accounted for more than 10% of revenues in any period.
 
  Revenue by geographic region for the years ended March 31, 1995, 1996 and
1997, and the nine months ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 were as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                 ENDED DECEMBER
                                          YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,         31,
                                         ----------------------- ---------------
                                          1995    1996    1997    1996    1997
                                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
   <S>                                   <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
   Net revenues:
     United States...................... $32,554 $28,134 $34,424 $24,508 $32,183
     Canada.............................   8,030  10,116  10,943   8,976   9,693
     Europe and Israel..................   4,075   6,525   8,216   5,892   9,434
     Asia...............................   2,291   5,489   3,885   3,088   3,564
                                         ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
       Total............................ $46,950 $50,264 $57,468 $42,464 $54,874
                                         ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
 
10. CONTINGENCIES
   
  The Company is party to various claims and legal actions arising in the
normal course of business, including notification of possible infringement on
the intellectual property rights of third parties. In addition, since 1993 the
Company has been named as a potentially responsible party ("PRP") along with a
large number of other companies that used Omega Chemical Corporation ("Omega")
in Whittier, California to handle and dispose of certain hazardous waste
material. The Company is a member of a large group of PRPs that has agreed to
fund certain remediation efforts at the Omega site for which the Company has
accrued approximately $50,000. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters
is not presently determinable, management believes that the resolution of all
such pending matters, net of amounts accrued, will not have a material adverse
affect on the Company's financial position or liquidity; however, there can be
no assurance that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a
material impact on the Company's results of operations in any quarter.     
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
High-Speed Computing Products 

AMCC's S5933 is used for DVD, communications and industrial computer 
applications.
[Picture of AMCC integrated circuits, a computer keyboard, a CD-ROM, a 
digital video disk and a computer.]

Automated Test Equipment

[Picture of a man working on a computer.]

[Picture of wafer in the process of being manufactured.]

Teradyne high-speed logic and mixed-signal testers use AMCC's Micropower ASICs 
with high-precision timing elements.
[Picture of a Teradyne high-speed logic and mixed-signal tester, a computer
and an integrated circuit.]

<PAGE>
 
(22)[Picture of fiber optic cables.]
 
(23)[Picture of fiber optic cables.]
 
(24)[Picture of AMCC integrated circuits and wafers.]
 
 
 
 
 
                                 [LOGO OF AMCC]
 
 
 
 
 
 
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Company in connection
with the sale of Common Stock being registered. All amounts are estimates
except the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee and the Nasdaq
National Market listing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        AMOUNT
                                                                      TO BE PAID
                                                                      ----------
       <S>                                                            <C>
       SEC registration fee..........................................  $ 33,713
       NASD filing fee...............................................    11,926
       Nasdaq National Market listing fee............................    17,500
       Printing and engraving expenses...............................   150,000
       Legal fees and expenses.......................................   150,000
       Accounting fees and expenses..................................    75,000
       Blue Sky qualification fees and expenses......................     5,000
       Transfer Agent and Registrar fees.............................    10,000
       Miscellaneous fees and expenses...............................    46,861
                                                                       --------
         Total.......................................................  $500,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law")
authorizes a court to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant,
indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such
indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"). Article Seven of the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation (Exhibit 3.1 hereto) and Article IX of the Company's Bylaws
(Exhibit 3.2 hereto) provide for indemnification of the Company's directors,
officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by
Delaware Law. In addition, the Company has entered into Indemnification
Agreements (Exhibit 10.1 hereto) with its officers and directors. The
Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit 1.1 hereto) also provides for cross-
indemnification among the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the
Underwriters with respect to certain matters, including matters arising under
the Securities Act.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
  (a) Since December 31, 1994, the Registrant has issued and sold (without
payment of any selling commission to any person) the following unregistered
securities (as adjusted to reflect the Registrant's 2-for-3 reverse stock
split of the Preferred Stock and Common Stock effected upon the closing of the
IPO):
 
  (1) As of December 31, 1997, 991,333 shares of Common Stock had been issued
  upon exercise of options with an average exercise price of $0.45 per share,
  all of which were paid for in cash, and 83,309 shares of Common Stock were
  issuable upon exercise of outstanding options with an average exercise
  price of $0.54 per share pursuant to grants to certain employees and
  directors of the Company under the Company's 1982 Plan.
 
  (2) As of December 31, 1997, 1,498,898 shares of Common Stock had been
  issued upon exercise of options, each with an exercise price of $0.53 per
  share, paid for by cash or full recourse promissory notes secured by the
  underlying Common Stock of the Company, pursuant to grants to certain
  employees and directors of the Company under the Company's 1992 Plan. In
  addition, 2,080,214 shares of Common Stock were issuable upon exercise of
  outstanding options with an average exercise price of $1.53 per share
  pursuant to grants to certain employees and directors of the Company under
  the Company's 1992 Plan.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
  (3) As of December 31, 1997, 23,332 shares of Common Stock had been issued
  upon exercise of options with an average exercise price of $0.45 per share,
  paid for by cash or full recourse promissory notes secured by the
  underlying Common Stock of the Company, and 24,753 shares of Common Stock
  were issuable upon exercise of outstanding options with an average exercise
  price of $0.48 per share pursuant to grants to certain employees, directors
  and consultants of the Company.
 
  (4) At the effective date of the registration statement of the IPO,
  warrants to purchase 83,807 shares of Common Stock were exercised at a
  weighted average exercise price of $2.91 per share, pursuant to which
  53,271 shares of Common Stock were issued on a net exercise basis at the
  company's initial public offering of $8.00 per share.
 
  (b) There were no underwritten offerings employed in connection with any of
the transactions set forth in Item 15(a).
 
  The issuances described in Items 15(a)(1) and 15(a)(2) were deemed to be
exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Rule 701
promulgated thereunder in that they were offered and sold pursuant to a
written compensatory plan. In addition, such issuances were deemed to be
exempt from registration under the Securities Act under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act as transactions not involving any public offering. The
issuances described in Item 15(a)(3) and 15(a)(4) were deemed to be exempt
from registration under the Securities Act under Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act as transactions not involving any public offering. The
recipients of securities in each of the transactions described in Item
15(a)(1) through 15(a)(4) represented their intentions to acquire the
securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in
connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were affixed
to the securities issued in such transactions. All recipients had adequate
access, through their relationships with the Company, to information about the
Company.
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
  (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
  NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
  ------                               -----------
 <C>      <S>
  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement (subject to negotiation).
  3.1(1)  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
  3.2(2)  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
  4.1(3)  Specimen Stock Certificate.
  5.1*    Opinion of Venture Law Group regarding the legality of the Common
          Stock being registered.
 10.1(3)  Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its
          Officers and Directors.
 10.2(3)  1982 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended, and form of
          Option Agreement.
 10.3(3)  1992 Stock Option Plan as proposed to be amended, and form of Option
          Agreement.
 10.4(3)  1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of Subscription Agreement.
 10.5(3)  1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan and form of Option Agreement.
 10.6(3)  401(k) Plan, effective April 1, 1985 and form of Enrollment
          Agreement.
 10.7(3)  Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1 and Series 2, Purchase
          Agreement, dated December 8, 1983.
 10.8(3)  Convertible Preferred Stock Series 3 Purchase Agreement, dated
          September 16, 1987.
 10.9(3)  Industrial Real Estate Lease, dated October 29, 1996 between the
          Registrant and ADI Mesa Partners-AMCC, L.P. (the Sequence Drive
          Lease).
 10.10(3) Industrial Real Estate Lease, dated April 8, 1992 between the
          Registrant and Mira Mesa Business Park (the Oberlin Drive Lease).
 10.11(3) Security Agreements, dated January 30, 1992 by and between the
          Registrant and Roger Smullen.
 10.12(3) Promissory Notes, dated January 30, 1992, as amended, by and between
          the Registrant and Roger Smullen.
 10.13(3) Loan Agreement, dated May 1, 1996 and Exercise Notice and Restricted
          Stock Purchase Agreements dated July 23, 1997 by and between
          Registrant and David Rickey.
 10.14(3) Promissory Notes, dated February 12, 1996, May 1, 1996, April 1, 1997
          and July 23, 1997 by and between the Registrant and David Rickey.
 10.15(3) Patent License Agreement, dated January 1, 1988, as amended by and
          between Registrant and Motorola, Inc.
 10.16(3) Patent License Agreement, dated March 1, 1991, as amended, by and
          between Registrant and International Business Machines Corporation.
 10.17(3) Patent License Agreement, dated June 1, 1997 by and between
          Registrant and International Business Machines Corporation.
 10.18(3) Letter Agreement, dated January 30, 1996 by and between the
          Registrant and David Rickey.
 10.19(3) Patent License Agreement, dated October 19, 1992, as amended by and
          between Registrant and Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
 10.20(3) Amendment No. 1 to Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1 and Series 2
          Purchase Agreement, dated September 16, 1987 and Convertible
          Preferred Stock, Series 3 Purchase Agreement, dated September 16,
          1987.
 10.21    Loan Agreement Secured by Property, dated February 19, 1998 by and
          between Registrant and Laszlo Gal and Agnes Gal.
 10.22    Note Secured by Deed of Trust, dated February 19, 1998 by and between
          Registrant and Laszlo Gal and Agnes Gal.
 10.23    Loan And Pledge Agreement, dated February 19, 1998 by and between
          Registrant and Anil Bedi.
 11.1*    Computation of Per Share Data under SFAS No. 128.
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER                  DESCRIPTION
 ------                  -----------
 <C>    <S>
 23.1   Consent of Independent Auditors (see page II-6).
 23.2*  Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 24.1*  Power of Attorney (see page II-5).
 27.1*  Financial Data Schedules.
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with the Company's
    Registration Statement (No. 333-37609) filed October 10, 1997, or with any
    Amendments thereto, which registration statement became effective November
    24, 1997.
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 filed with the Company's
    Registration Statement (No. 333-37609) filed October 10, 1997, or with any
    Amendments thereto, which registration statement became effective November
    24, 1997.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed with the
    Company's Registration Statement (No. 333-37609) filed October 10, 1997, or
    with any Amendments thereto, which registration statement became effective
    November 24, 1997.
   
 * Previously filed with the Commission.     
 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
  Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
  Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information required
to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
  the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
  registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
  of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
  497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
  be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
  offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of San Diego, State of
California on February 20, 1998.     
 
                                          APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION
                                                    
                                          By:    /s/ David M. Rickey     
                                              ---------------------------------
                                                      
                                                   DAVID M. RICKEY     
                                                  
                                                      PRESIDENT AND 
                                                CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER     
       
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                   DATE
             ---------                           -----                   ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
       /s/ David M. Rickey           President and Chief             February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------ Executive Officer (Principal        
          DAVID M. RICKEY            Executive Officer)
 
          Joel O. Holliday*          Chief Financial Officer         February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------ (Principal Financial and            
          JOEL O. HOLLIDAY           Accounting Officer)
 
       Roger A. Smullen, Sr.*        Director and Chairman of the    February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------ Board of Directors                  
       ROGER A. SMULLEN, SR.
 
       William K. Bowes, Jr.*        Director                        February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                     
       WILLIAM K. BOWES, JR.
 
          R. Clive Ghest*            Director                        February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                     
           R. CLIVE GHEST
 
     Franklin P. Johnson, Jr.*       Director                        February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                     
      FRANKLIN P. JOHNSON, JR.
 
        Arthur B. Stabenow*          Director                        February 20, 1998
- ------------------------------------                                     
        ARTHUR B. STABENOW
                             
*By:      /s/ David M. Rickey
     -------------------------------
           DAVID M. RICKEY
          (ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
 
              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
April 25, 1997 (except footnote 4, as to which the date is February 9, 1998),
in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-
46071) and related Prospectus of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation for the
registration of 3,700,000 shares of its common stock.     
 
Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Applied Micro
Circuits Corporation for the three years ended March 31, 1997 listed in Item
16(b). This schedule is the responsibility of Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion,
the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
                                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Diego, California
   
February 19, 1998     
 
                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
                SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                COL. A                    COL. B       COL. C                    COL. D       COL. E
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            ADDITIONS
                                                    -------------------------
                                                        (1)          (2)
                                                      CHARGED      CHARGED
                                        BALANCE AT    TO COSTS     TO OTHER                  BALANCE
                                        BEGINNING       AND       ACCOUNTS-   DEDUCTIONS-     AT END
             DESCRIPTION                OF PERIOD     EXPENSES     DESCRIBE     DESCRIBE    OF PERIOD
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
 Nine Months Ended December 31, 1997:      $200         $157         $ --         $  7         $350
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Year ended March 31, 1997:                $ 90         $198         $ 88         $ --         $200
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Year ended March 31, 1996:                $115         $ --         $ --         $ 25         $ 90
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Year ended March 31, 1995                 $ 60         $ 81         $ --         $ 26         $115
 Allowance for doubtful accounts
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
  NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
  ------                               -----------
 <C>      <S>
  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement (subject to negotiation).
  3.1(1)  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
  3.2(2)  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
  4.1(3)  Specimen Stock Certificate.
  5.1*    Opinion of Venture Law Group regarding the legality of the Common
          Stock being registered.
 10.1(3)  Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its
          Officers and Directors.
 10.2(3)  1982 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended, and form of
          Option Agreement.
 10.3(3)  1992 Stock Option Plan as proposed to be amended, and form of Option
          Agreement.
 10.4(3)  1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of Subscription Agreement.
 10.5(3)  1997 Directors' Stock Option Plan and form of Option Agreement.
 10.6(3)  401(k) Plan, effective April 1, 1985 and form of Enrollment
          Agreement.
 10.7(3)  Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1 and Series 2, Purchase
          Agreement, dated December 8, 1983.
 10.8(3)  Convertible Preferred Stock Series 3 Purchase Agreement, dated
          September 16, 1987.
 10.9(3)  Industrial Real Estate Lease, dated October 29, 1996 between the
          Registrant and ADI Mesa Partners-AMCC, L.P. (the Sequence Drive
          Lease).
 10.10(3) Industrial Real Estate Lease, dated April 8, 1992 between the
          Registrant and Mira Mesa Business Park (the Oberlin Drive Lease).
 10.11(3) Security Agreements, dated January 30, 1992 by and between the
          Registrant and Roger Smullen.
 10.12(3) Promissory Notes, dated January 30, 1992, as amended, by and between
          the Registrant and Roger Smullen.
 10.13(3) Loan Agreement, dated May 1, 1996 and Exercise Notice and Restricted
          Stock Purchase Agreements dated July 23, 1997 by and between
          Registrant and David Rickey.
 10.14(3) Promissory Notes, dated February 12, 1996, May 1, 1996, April 1, 1997
          and July 23, 1997 by and between the Registrant and David Rickey.
 10.15(3) Patent License Agreement, dated January 1, 1988, as amended by and
          between Registrant and Motorola, Inc.
 10.16(3) Patent License Agreement, dated March 1, 1991, as amended, by and
          between Registrant and International Business Machines Corporation.
 10.17(3) Patent License Agreement, dated June 1, 1997 by and between
          Registrant and International Business Machines Corporation.
 10.18(3) Letter Agreement, dated January 30, 1996 by and between the
          Registrant and David Rickey.
 10.19(3) Patent License Agreement, dated October 19, 1992, as amended by and
          between Registrant and Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
 10.20(3) Amendment No. 1 to Convertible Preferred Stock, Series 1 and Series 2
          Purchase Agreement, dated September 16, 1987 and Convertible
          Preferred Stock, Series 3 Purchase Agreement, dated September 16,
          1987.
 10.21    Loan Agreement Secured by Property, dated February 19, 1998 by and
          between Registrant and Laszlo Gal and Agnes Gal.
 10.22    Note Secured by Deed of Trust, dated February 19, 1998 by and between
          Registrant and Laszlo Gal and Agnes Gal.
 10.23    Loan And Pledge Agreement, dated February 19, 1998 by and between
          Registrant and Anil Bedi.
 11.1*    Computation of Per Share Data under SFAS No. 128.
</TABLE>    
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER                  DESCRIPTION
 ------                  -----------
 <C>    <S>
 23.1   Consent of Independent Auditors (see page II-6).
 23.2*  Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 24.1*  Power of Attorney (see page II-5).
 27.1*  Financial Data Schedules.
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with the Company's
    Registration Statement (No. 333-37609) filed October 10, 1997, or with any
    Amendments thereto, which registration statement became effective November
    24, 1997.
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 filed with the Company's
    Registration Statement (No. 333-37609) filed October 10, 1997, or with any
    Amendments thereto, which registration statement became effective November
    24, 1997.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits filed with the
    Company's Registration Statement (No. 333-37609) filed October 10, 1997, or
    with any Amendments thereto, which registration statement became effective
    November 24, 1997.
   
 * Previously filed with the Commission.     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.21
                       LOAN AGREEMENT SECURED BY PROPERTY
                       ----------------------------------



     This Loan Agreement ("AgreemenT") dated effective as of February 19, 1998,
                           ---------                                           
is by and between Applied Micro Circuits Corporation. (the "Lender"), and LASZLO
                                                            ------              
GAL and AGNES GAL (the "Borrowers").
                        ---------   

     The Borrowers desire to borrow, and the Lender is willing to lend to the
Borrowers, the amount of $100,000 on a secured basis under the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

     The Lender and the Borrowers agree as follows:


      1.  The Loan.  Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the
          --------                                                            
Lender will lend to the Borrowers, concurrently with the execution of the Note
(defined below) and the Deed of Trust (defined below), the amount of $100,000
(the "Loan").
      ----   

      2.  The Note.  The Loan is evidenced by a Note Secured by Deed of Trust in
          --------                                                              
the form attached as Exhibit A, executed by Borrowers in favor of Lender
                     ---------                                          
concurrently herewith (the "Note").
                            ----   

      3.  Deed of Trust.  The Note shall be secured by a deed of trust in form
          -------------                                                       
acceptable to the Lender (the "Deed of Trust" and, together with the Note and
                               -------------                                 
this Agreement, the "Loan Documents") given by the Borrowers to the Lender with
                     --------------                                            
respect to property with legal descriptions as set forth on Exhibit B attached
                                                            ---------         
hereto (the "Property").  The Lender may, if the Lender so elects, but without
             --------                                                         
obligation to do so, at any time record the Deed of Trust against the Property
in the official records of the county in which the Property is located.  If the
Lender so elects, the Borrowers shall furnish evidence reasonably satisfactory
to the Lender that (i) the Borrowers hold good and marketable title to the
Property, and (ii) there is no loan, deed of trust, mortgage or encumbrance
against the Property, except for a first mortgage executed by Borrower in favor
of American Wholesale Lender, which secures a mortgage loan in the principal
amount of $548,000 (the "First Mortgage").
                         --------------   

      4.  Representations of Borrowers.  The Borrowers hereby make the following
          ----------------------------                                          
representations and warranties to the Lender, as of the date of this Agreement,
and as of the date of funding of the Loan (if later than the date of execution
hereof), and acknowledge that the Lender is relying on such representations in
making the Loan:

          (a) The Borrowers have good and marketable title to the Property free
and clear of all security interests, liens, encumbrances and rights of others
other than the Deed of Trust and the First Mortgage.  The Deed of Trust will
constitute a valid, perfected security interest in the Property, prior to all
monetary liens or encumbrances, except for the First Mortgage.  To the best
knowledge of the Borrowers, the current fair market value of the Property 

                                     1
<PAGE>
 
is approximately $700,000, and thus there is currently available equity (after
taking into account the repayment of the First Mortgage) of approximately
$152,000 to secure the Loan.

          (b) The consent of no other party or entity is required to grant the
lien against the Property as provided for in this Agreement.  The creation of
the lien referenced herein, and performance of the obligations of Borrowers
hereunder, will not violate or cause a conflict with any other agreement to
which a Borrower is party, or to which the Property is subject.

          (c) There are no security interests or liens on the Property that
could be perfected or obtained by filing a financing statement or notice with
any state or county filing office, other than the First Mortgage.

          (d) There are no actions, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or,
to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened against or affecting a Borrower or
the Property except as disclosed to the Lender in writing prior to the date of
this Agreement.

      5.  Restriction on Transfer of Property.  The Borrowers shall not sell,
          -----------------------------------                                
convey, assign, alienate, further encumber, or otherwise transfer the Property
or any interest therein, or enter into any contract or other agreement to sell,
convey, assign, alienate or otherwise transfer the Property or any interest
therein while any monetary obligations are outstanding under any of the Loan
Documents.

      6.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
          ----------------------                                               
the respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the
parties hereto.  The Borrowers may not assign his rights and/or duties under
this Agreement to a third party without the prior written consent of Lender,
which may be withheld in its sole discretion.

      7.  Governing Law.  This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant
          -------------                                                        
hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed,
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
California.

      8.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of
          ----------------                                                     
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings related to such subject matter.

      9.  Modification.  This Agreement shall not be amended without the written
          ------------                                                          
consent of both parties hereto.

      10. Severability.  In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is
          ------------                                                       
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or
void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said
provision.

                                     2
<PAGE>
 
      11. Construction.  This Agreement is the result of negotiations between
          ------------                                                       
the parties, each of whom has been advised to seek separate counsel.
Accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the
parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any
one of the parties hereto.  The Borrowers acknowledge that the Lender has made
no representation or warranty to the Borrowers concerning the income tax
consequences of the Loan, and the Borrowers shall be solely responsible for
ascertaining and bearing such tax consequences.

      12. Titles and Subtitles.  The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement
          --------------------                                                  
are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or
interpreting this Agreement.


      13. Notices.  Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be
          -------                                                              
in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission
(evidenced by sender's confirmation receipt), or sent by overnight express
courier (such as Federal Express), or sent by prepaid registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the other party at the address
shown below or at such other address for which such party gives notice
hereunder.  Notices sent by mail shall be deemed to have been given 72 hours
after deposit in the United States mail.

      14. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
          ------------                                                
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.


      15. Further Acts.  Each party hereto agrees to execute, acknowledge and
          ------------                                                       
deliver or to cause to have executed, acknowledged and delivered, such other and
further instruments and documents as may reasonably be requested by the other to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement.


      16. Voluntary Execution; Legal Counsel.  This Agreement and the exhibits
          ----------------------------------                                  
hereto are executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the
part or behalf of the parties hereto, with the full intent of creating the
obligations and security interests described herein and therein.  The parties
acknowledge that:  (a) they have read this Agreement and the exhibits hereto;
(b) they have been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of
this Agreement and exhibits hereto by legal counsel of their own choice or they
have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; (c) they understand the terms
and consequences of this Agreement and the exhibits hereto and of the
obligations and security interests they create; and (d) they are fully aware of
the legal and binding effect of this Agreement and the exhibits hereto.

                                     3
<PAGE>
 
      17. Survival.  Each of the obligations of Borrowers hereunder, and the
          --------                                                          
liability of Borrowers for any failure of the representations or warranties set
forth herein to be accurate and complete, shall survive the closing of the Loan
described herein for the entire term of the Loan.


     The undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.



BORROWERS:                           LENDER:


/s/ LASZLO GAL
_________________________            APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS
LASZLO GAL                           CORPORATION


                                     By:  /s/ Joel O. Holliday 
                                         _______________________

/s/ AGNES GAL
_________________________            Title: Chief Financial Officer  
AGNES GAL                                   _______________________



Address:  17040 Butterfield Trail    Address:  6290 Sequence Drive
          Poway, CA 92064                      San Diego, CA 92121
 


                                      4
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------



                         NOTE SECURED BY DEED OF TRUST

$100,000                                                       February 19, 1998

     1.   Obligation.  For value received, LASZLO GAL and AGNES GAL (the
          ----------                                                    
"Borrowers") promise to pay to APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION ("AMCC") a
- ----------                                                                  
Delaware corporation (the "Lender"), the principal sum of $100,000 (the "Loan"),
                           ------                                        ----   
together with interest on the unpaid principal hereof a rate of 5.54%, per annum
from the date hereof, calculated on the basis of a 365 day year, compounded
annually.

     2.   Payment.  Principal and any accrued interest hereunder shall be due
          -------                                                            
and payable 30 days after demand by the Lender.  If the Loan and all accrued
interest are not repaid in full prior to February 19, 2001, all principal and
accrued interest hereunder shall be due and payable on February 19, 2001.
Payments of principal and interest shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America and shall be credited first to the accrued interest, with the
remainder applied to principal.  Prepayment of the Loan may be made at any time
without penalty or premium.

     3.   Acceleration of Obligation.  The Loan shall immediately become due and
          --------------------------                                            
payable in full upon the earliest of the following: (i) an event of default
under any Loan Document (as defined in the Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement")
                                                                --------------  
between the Lender and the Borrowers dated as of February 19, 1998); (ii) in the
event any required payment hereunder is not made when due; (iii) in the event of
a voluntary or involuntary termination of employment of Laszlo Gal with AMCC
(the "Company") for any reason, with or without cause (including death or
      -------                                                            
disability); (iv) assignment by a Borrower for the benefit of creditors, or
admission in writing of his or her inability to pay his or her debts as they
become due, or filing a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or adjudication as a
bankrupt or insolvent, or filing any petition or answer seeking any
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, dissolution or similar
relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation, or filing any
answer admitting or failing to deny the material allegations of a petition filed
against either of them for any such relief; or (v) the date of any sale,
conveyance, assignment, alienation or any other form of transfer of the
                                                                       
"Property" (as defined in the Loan Agreement), or any part hereof or interest
- ---------                                                                    
therein, whether voluntary or involuntary.

     4.   Security.  This Note shall be secured by a deed of trust (the "Deed of
          --------                                                       -------
Trust") against the Property.
- -----                        

     5.   Binding on Successors.  All rights and obligations of the Borrowers
          ---------------------                                              
and the Lender shall be binding upon and benefit the successors, assigns, heirs
and administrators of the parties.  Neither Borrower may assign his or her
rights and/or duties under this Agreement to a third party without the prior
written consent of the Lender, which may be withheld in its sole discretion.
<PAGE>
 
     6.   Governing Law; Waiver.  This Note shall be governed by and construed
          ---------------------                                               
in accordance with the laws of California, without reference to conflict of laws
principles.  The Borrowers waive presentment, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, protest, demand and diligence.

     7.   Attorneys' Fees.  If suit is brought for collection of this Note, the
          ---------------                                                      
Borrowers agree to pay all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees,
incurred by the Lender in connection therewith, whether or not such suit is
prosecuted to judgment.

     8.   Place of Payment.  All payments to be made to the Lender under this
          ----------------                                                   
Note shall be made to Lender at 6290 Sequence Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, Attn:
Joel Holliday, or such other address as Lender may designate in writing.

     9.   Full Recourse.  Upon any default of the Borrowers under this Note or
          -------------                                                       
any of the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement), the Lender
shall have, in addition to its rights and remedies under the Deed of Trust, full
recourse against any real, personal, tangible or intangible assets of the
Borrowers, and may pursue any legal or equitable remedies that are available to
it.

 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have caused this Note to be executed as
of the date and year first above written.


/s/ Laszlo Gal
- ----------------------------
Laszlo Gal

/s/ Agnes Gal
- ----------------------------
Agnes Gal
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B
                                   ---------



                                  (To Follow)

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.22

                         NOTE SECURED BY DEED OF TRUST

$100,000                                                       February 19, 1998

     1.   Obligation.  For value received, LASZLO GAL and AGNES GAL (the
          ----------                                                    
"Borrowers") promise to pay to APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION ("AMCC") a
- ----------                                                                  
Delaware corporation (the "Lender"), the principal sum of $100,000 (the "Loan"),
                           ------                                        ----   
together with interest on the unpaid principal hereof a rate of 5.54%, per annum
from the date hereof, calculated on the basis of a 365 day year, compounded
annually.

     2.   Payment.  Principal and any accrued interest hereunder shall be due
          -------                                                            
and payable 30 days after demand by the Lender.  If the Loan and all accrued
interest are not repaid in full prior to February 19, 2001, all principal and
accrued interest hereunder shall be due and payable on February 19, 2001.
Payments of principal and interest shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America and shall be credited first to the accrued interest, with the
remainder applied to principal.  Prepayment of the Loan may be made at any time
without penalty or premium.

     3.   Acceleration of Obligation.  The Loan shall immediately become due and
          --------------------------                                            
payable in full upon the earliest of the following: (i) an event of default
under any Loan Document (as defined in the Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement")
                                                                --------------  
between the Lender and the Borrowers dated as of February 19, 1998); (ii) in the
event any required payment hereunder is not made when due; (iii) in the event of
a voluntary or involuntary termination of employment of Laszlo Gal with AMCC
(the "Company") for any reason, with or without cause (including death or
      -------                                                            
disability); (iv) assignment by a Borrower for the benefit of creditors, or
admission in writing of his or her inability to pay his or her debts as they
become due, or filing a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or adjudication as a
bankrupt or insolvent, or filing any petition or answer seeking any
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, dissolution or similar
relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation, or filing any
answer admitting or failing to deny the material allegations of a petition filed
against either of them for any such relief; or (v) the date of any sale,
conveyance, assignment, alienation or any other form of transfer of the
                                                                       
"Property" (as defined in the Loan Agreement), or any part hereof or interest
- ---------                                                                    
therein, whether voluntary or involuntary.

     4.   Security.  This Note shall be secured by a deed of trust (the "Deed of
          --------                                                       -------
Trust") against the Property.
- -----                        

     5.   Binding on Successors.  All rights and obligations of the Borrowers
          ---------------------                                              
and the Lender shall be binding upon and benefit the successors, assigns, heirs
and administrators of the parties.  Neither Borrower may assign his or her
rights and/or duties under this Agreement to a third party without the prior
written consent of the Lender, which may be withheld in its sole discretion.
<PAGE>
 
     6.   Governing Law; Waiver.  This Note shall be governed by and construed
          ---------------------                                               
in accordance with the laws of California, without reference to conflict of laws
principles.  The Borrowers waive presentment, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, protest, demand and diligence.

     7.   Attorneys' Fees.  If suit is brought for collection of this Note, the
          ---------------                                                      
Borrowers agree to pay all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees,
incurred by the Lender in connection therewith, whether or not such suit is
prosecuted to judgment.

     8.   Place of Payment.  All payments to be made to the Lender under this
          ----------------                                                   
Note shall be made to Lender at 6290 Sequence Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, Attn:
Joel Holliday, or such other address as Lender may designate in writing.

     9.   Full Recourse.  Upon any default of the Borrowers under this Note or
          -------------                                                       
any of the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement), the Lender
shall have, in addition to its rights and remedies under the Deed of Trust, full
recourse against any real, personal, tangible or intangible assets of the
Borrowers, and may pursue any legal or equitable remedies that are available to
it.

 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have caused this Note to be executed as
of the date and year first above written.


/s/ Laszlo Gal
- ----------------------------
Laszlo Gal


/s/ Agnes Gal
- ----------------------------
Agnes Gal

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23

 
                           LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT
                           -------------------------

     THIS LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made as of February 19,
1998, between Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("LENDER"), and Anil Bedi ("BORROWER").

                                   BACKGROUND
                                   ----------
     A.   Borrower desires to borrow $150,000 from Lender on the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

     B.   To induce Lender to make the loan, Borrower desires to pledge and
grant Lender a security interest in an option to purchase 174,666 shares of
Common Stock of the Lender (the "Option Shares") held by Lender.

     THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

     1.   LOAN.
          ---- 
          1.1  ADVANCE OF FUNDS.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
               ----------------                                              
Agreement, Lender has advanced $150,000 to Borrower (the "LOAN").

          1.2  PROMISE TO PAY.  Borrower promises to pay to Lender, at the
               --------------                                             
address given pursuant to Section 5.6 for notice to Lender, in lawful money of
the United States of America the remaining principal amount of the Loan together
with accrued but unpaid interest as provided herein on the earlier to occur of
(i) August 19, 1999, (ii) the voluntary or involuntary termination of Borrower's
employment with the Company for any reason, with or without cause (including
death or disability, or (iii) the date of any sale, conveyance, assignment,
alienation or any other form of transfer of the Option Shares (excluding
transfers to family members or trusts that agree to be bound by the terms of
this Agreement and transfers to Lender as set forth below), or such earlier date
as provided below (the "MATURITY DATE").  Interest shall be due and payable on
the Maturity Date on the outstanding principal balance of the Loan at the rate
of 5.54 % per annum, compounded annually.  If payment of principal or accrued
interest is not made in full when due, all unpaid amounts (including principal
and interest) shall bear additional interest at the maximum rate legally payable
to Lender until paid in full.  If any payment is due on a Saturday, Sunday, or a
public holiday under the laws of the State of California, such payment shall be
made on the next succeeding business day and such extension of time shall be
included in computing interest in connection with such payment.  The dates
specified for payment under this Section 1.2 may be accelerated as provided in
Section 1.4.  Borrower may prepay amounts due under this Agreement in whole or
in part at any time without penalty or premium.
<PAGE>
 
          1.3  FULL-RECOURSE.  The principal and interest payable by Borrower
               -------------                                                 
under this Agreement are full-recourse and are secured in part as provided in
Section 2.6 of this Agreement.

          1.4  ACCELERATION.  Lender may, at its option and in its sole
               ------------                                            
discretion, declare the then-outstanding principal balance of the Loan, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to be immediately due and payable
if any of the following (each of which is referred to herein as an "EVENT OF
DEFAULT") shall occur:

               (a) the failure of Borrower to pay any amount under this
Agreement when due;

               (b) the commencement of any proceeding against Borrower in
bankruptcy, or otherwise seeking any reorganization, arrangement or similar
relief, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or liquidator to take
possession of the assets of Borrower, or the commencement of any other
proceeding under any law for the relief of creditors;

               (c) any assignment by Borrower for the benefit of Borrower's
creditors; or

               (d) any other breach by Borrower of any of Borrower's
representations, warranties or obligations under this Agreement that is not
cured to the satisfaction of Lender within fifteen days after notice of such
breach is deemed given pursuant to Section 5.6.

          1.5  WAIVERS BY BORROWER.  Borrower waives presentment, demand for
               -------------------                                          
performance, notice of nonperformance, protest, notice of protest and notice of
dishonor.

     2.   PLEDGE AS SECURITY
          ------------------

          2.1  PLEDGE.  As security for all of Borrower's obligations and
               ------                                                    
liabilities to Lender, whether now existing or hereafter arising (the
"OBLIGATIONS"), Borrower hereby assigns as security and pledges to Lender the
Option Shares, which shall include all of Borrower's rights in the Option
Shares, the proceeds thereof and all proceeds of proceeds (collectively, the
"COLLATERAL").  As a further inducement to Lender to Advance the Loan to
Borrower during the term of this Agreement, Borrower's spouse, if any, shall
execute and deliver to Lender the Consent attached hereto as Exhibit A.
                                                             --------- 

          2.2  VOTING RIGHTS.  So long as Borrower is not in default of the
               -------------                                               
performance of any of the terms of this Agreement or in the payment of any
amount due pursuant to this Agreement, Borrower shall have the right to vote,
when issued, the Option Shares on all corporate questions.

          2.3  NON-STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS.  All cash distributions received by
               -----------------------                                     
Borrower during the term of this Agreement with respect to the Option Shares
shall be placed in an interest-bearing savings account specified by Lender and
shall be delivered to and held by Pledgeholder (as such term is defined in
Section 3.1 hereof) as additional Collateral; provided, however, that Borrower
may elect to deliver such cash to Lender in prepayment of the Loan by 
<PAGE>
 
giving notice of such election to Lender and Pledgeholder. All distributions,
other than in cash or stock received by Borrower during the term of the
Agreement with respect to the Option Shares shall be delivered to and held by
Pledgeholder as additional Collateral.

          2.4  STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS OF COLLATERAL.  If, during
               -------------------------------------------------             
the term of this Agreement, any stock or other non-cash distribution, dividend,
reclassification, readjustment, or other change is declared or made in the
capital structure of Lender, all new, substituted and additional shares of stock
or other securities issued by reason of any such change shall be immediately
delivered by Borrower to Pledgeholder, together with executed assignments
separate from certificate, to be held by Pledgeholder in the same manner as the
Option Shares originally pledged hereunder, and hereafter the term "Option
Shares" shall include such securities.

          2.5  WARRANTS AND RIGHTS; OPTION.  If, during the term of this
               ---------------------------                              
Agreement, subscription warrants or any other rights or options shall be issued
in connection with any of the Option Shares, and Borrower shall elect to
exercise such warrants, rights or options, all new shares or other securities so
acquired by the Borrower shall be immediately delivered to Pledgeholder to be
held under the terms of this Agreement in the same manner as the Option Shares
originally pledged hereunder, and thereafter the term "Option Shares" shall
include such securities.

          2.6  DEFAULT; FULL-RECOURSE OBLIGATION.  If an Event of Default has
               ---------------------------------                             
occurred, Lender is authorized to sell, assign and deliver at Lender's
discretion, from time to time, all or any part of the Collateral at any private
or public sale, on not less than ten days' written notice to Borrower and
Pledgeholder, at such price or prices and upon such terms as Lender may deem
advisable and Lender shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured
creditor under the provisions of the California Uniform Commercial Code.  At any
such public sale, Lender may bid for, and become the purchaser of, the whole or
any part of the Collateral offered for sale.  In case of any private or public
sale, after deducting the costs, counsel fees and other expenses of sale and
delivery, the remaining proceeds of such sale shall be applied to the
satisfaction of the Obligations; provided, however, that after satisfaction in
full of the Obligations, the balance of the proceeds of sale then remaining
shall be paid to Borrower.  Borrower shall be liable for any deficiency if the
proceeds of the sale of the Collateral are insufficient to discharge the amount
of principal and interest due under this Agreement.

          2.7  RETURN OF COLLATERAL.  Upon Borrower's satisfaction of the
               --------------------                                      
Obligations, Lender shall instruct Pledgeholder to return to Borrower all
Collateral then in Pledgeholder's possession.

          2.8  SUBSTITUTION OF COLLATERAL.  Borrower may substitute at any time,
               --------------------------                                       
and from time to time, any Collateral, subject in each case to obtaining the
prior written approval of Lender, such approval to be given or withheld in the
exercise of Lender's sole discretion.
<PAGE>
 
     3.   PLEDGEHOLDER.
          -------------

          3.1  APPOINTMENT OF PLEDGEHOLDER.  Borrower and Lender hereby appoint
               ---------------------------                                     
the Secretary of Lender (the "PLEDGEHOLDER") to act as pledgeholder for them in
accordance with this Agreement.

          3.2  DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS.  Upon an Event of Default, Borrower shall
               ---------------------                                           
deliver to Lender an executed notice of exercise with respect to and request
immediate exercise of each Option listed in Schedule 3.2 and a check in the
amount of the exercise price of the Option Shares.  If Borrower fails to deliver
a check in the amount of the exercise price of the Option Shares, Lender shall
have the right to do so on Borrower's behalf.  Borrower agrees that  the stock
certificates representing the Option Shares shall be retained by Pledgeholder
and Borrower shall deliver four stock assignments separate from certificate for
each such stock certificate, duly executed by Borrower.

          3.3  DUTIES AFTER AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.  Pledgeholder shall have no
               --------------------------------                             
duty to determine the existence of an Event of Default, but may, without any
liability whatsoever, rely upon the written notice of Lender that an Event of
Default has occurred.  If, following an Event of Default, Lender shall elect to
exercise its right to realize on the Option Shares, Pledgeholder shall, upon the
receipt of written notice from Lender of the number of Option Shares sold and
sale price, (i) date the stock assignments necessary for each transfer in
question, (ii) fill in the number of Option Shares being transferred and
(iii) deliver the same, together with the certificate(s) evidencing the Option
Shares to be transferred to the purchaser against the simultaneous delivery to
Pledgeholder of the purchase price for the number of the Option Shares then
being purchased.  In connection with each such sale, Pledgeholder shall deliver
from the escrow the specific Option Shares that are designated by Lender.
Following an Event of Default, Pledgeholder shall dispose of the Collateral
other than the Option Shares in accordance with written instructions of Lender.
After deducting the costs, counsel fees and other expenses of such sale and
delivery as provided in Section 2.6 of this Agreement, Pledgeholder shall pay
the remaining proceeds of such sale to Lender to the extent of the obligations
of Borrower under this Agreement as specified by Lender.  Any remaining proceeds
of such sale shall be paid to Borrower.

          3.4  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT; ADDITIONAL STOCK ASSIGNMENTS.  Borrower hereby
               ----------------------------------------------                  
irrevocably constitutes and appoints Pledgeholder as Borrower's attorney-in-fact
and agent for the term hereof to execute, with respect to such securities or
other Collateral as are deposited with Pledgeholder hereunder, all documents
necessary or appropriate to make such securities or other Collateral negotiable
and complete any transaction herein contemplated.  Borrower shall deliver to
Pledgeholder from time to time such number of stock assignments separate from
certificate or other documents, including notices of option exercise, duly
executed by Borrower as may be reasonably requested by Lender or Pledgeholder.

          3.5  RETURN OF PROPERTY.  If, at the time of termination of this
               ------------------                                         
Agreement, Pledgeholder has in Pledgeholder's possession any documents,
securities, or other property 
<PAGE>
 
belonging to Borrower, Pledgeholder shall deliver all of same to Borrower and
shall be discharged of all further obligations hereunder.

          3.6  DUTIES; MODIFICATION OF DUTIES.  Pledgeholder shall carry out
               ------------------------------                               
Pledgeholder's duties hereunder to the best of Pledgeholder's ability and shall
be liable only for gross negligence or willful misconduct.  Pledgeholder's
duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked only by a written
instrument signed by Lender, Borrower and Pledgeholder.

          3.7  OBLIGATIONS.  Pledgeholder shall be obligated only for the
               -----------                                               
performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein and may rely and
shall be protected in relying or refraining from acting on any instrument
reasonably believed by Pledgeholder to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties.  Pledgeholder shall not be personally
liable for any act Pledgeholder may do or omit to do hereunder as Pledgeholder
or as attorney-in-fact for Borrower while acting in good faith and in the
exercise of Pledgeholder's own good judgment, and any act done or omitted by
Pledgeholder pursuant to the advice of Pledgeholder's own attorneys shall be
conclusive evidence of such good faith.

          3.8  AUTHORIZATION TO ACT.  Pledgeholder is hereby expressly
               --------------------                                   
authorized to disregard any and all warnings given by any of the parties hereto
or by any other person or corporation, excepting only orders or process of
courts of law, and is hereby expressly authorized to comply with and obey
orders, judgments or decrees of any court.  In case Pledgeholder obeys or
complies with any such order, judgment or decree of any court, he shall not be
liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or corporation
by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order, judgment or decree
being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside, vacated or found to
have been entered without jurisdiction.

          3.9  BANKRUPTCY.  Bankruptcy, insolvency, or dissolution of any party
               ----------                                                      
hereto shall not affect Pledgeholder's performance hereunder.

          3.10 STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.  Pledgeholder shall not be liable for the
               ----------------------                                           
lapse of any rights because of any Statute of Limitation applicable with respect
to this Agreement or any documents deposited with Pledgeholder.

          3.11 LEGAL COUNSEL.  Pledgeholder shall be entitled to employ such
               -------------                                                
legal counsel and other experts as Pledgeholder may deem necessary to advise
Pledgeholder properly in connection with Pledgeholder's obligations and may pay
such counsel reasonable compensation therefor, for which Pledgeholder shall be
reimbursed 50% by Lender and 50% by Borrower.

          3.12 TERMINATION OF DUTIES; SUCCESSOR.  Pledgeholder's
               --------------------------------                 
responsibilities as Pledgeholder hereunder shall terminate if (i) Pledgeholder
shall resign by thirty days written notice to Borrower and Lender; (ii) Borrower
and Lender jointly agree as to Pledgeholder's termination and appoint
Pledgeholder's successor, or (iii) Pledgeholder dies or is disabled.  In the
event of Pledgeholder's termination as Pledgeholder by resignation, death or
disability, Lender shall appoint a successor.  Upon Pledgeholder's receipt of
notice of any such appointment of 
<PAGE>
 
Pledgeholder's successor, all documents, shares and other property then in
Pledgeholder's possession pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered to such
successor.

          3.13 FURTHER INSTRUMENTS.  If Pledgeholder reasonably requires other
               -------------------                                            
or further instruments in connection with this Agreement or obligations in
respect hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such
instruments.

          3.14 CONFLICTING NOTICES; DISPUTES.  If Pledgeholder receives a notice
               -----------------------------                                    
from Lender that Lender is exercising any of Lender's rights hereunder,
Pledgeholder shall first complete all action required with respect to the notice
before taking action with respect to any subsequently received notice that in
any way conflicts with the prior notice.  If any dispute arises with respect to
the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the Collateral,
Pledgeholder may, at Pledgeholder's option, be relieved from all liability to
Borrower and Lender by depositing all documents held hereunder with the Clerk of
the California Superior Court for the City and County of San Francisco for the
purpose of permitting the Borrower and Lender to litigate their respective
rights in such court.  The receipt of the Clerk of such court of such documents
shall discharge Pledgeholder from all liability to the Borrower and Lender, and
the same may be pleaded as a bar to any action against Pledgeholder by Borrower
or Lender.

     4.   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF BORROWER.
          ----------------------------------------------------- 

          4.1  OWNERSHIP OF COLLATERAL; NO CONFLICTS. Borrower represents and
               -------------------------------------
warrants as of this date, and covenants for the period beginning on this date
and ending on the termination of this Agreement, that (i) Borrower has and will
have the right to enter into this Agreement, to transfer to Lender all or any
part of the Collateral, free and clear of any lien, claim, encumbrance or
restriction of any type or nature whatsoever (other than restrictions on resale
that may arise under applicable federal and state securities laws); (ii) the
Collateral is not and will not be subject to any right of first refusal, right
of repurchase or any similar right granted to, or retained by, Lender, any
shareholder of the Lender or any other person (other than as may be set forth in
a restricted stock purchase agreement to be entered into by Lender and Borrower
with respect to the issuance of the Option Shares; and (iii) there is no
provision of any existing agreement, and Borrower will not enter into an
agreement, by which Borrower is or would be bound (or to which Borrower is or
would become subject) that conflicts or would conflict with this Agreement or
the performance of Borrower's obligations under this Agreement.

          4.2  RULE 144 REPORTS. Borrower shall fully cooperate in the
               ----------------
completion and execution of any notice deemed by Lender to be required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of any proposed
sale of securities pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.

          4.4  FURTHER ASSURANCES. Upon the reasonable request of Pledgeholder
               ------------------
or Lender, Borrower will prepare, execute and deliver any further instruments
and do any further acts that may be necessary to carry out more effectively the
purpose of this Agreement, including, if necessary, the preparation, execution
and delivery of applications to the California Department of Corporations.
<PAGE>
 
     5.   MISCELLANEOUS.
          -------------

          5.1  AMENDMENT.  Except as provided in Section 3.6, this Agreement may
               ---------                                                        
only be amended by a writing signed by Borrower and Lender.

          5.2  ASSIGNMENT.  Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of
               ----------                                                       
his rights or obligations under this Agreement. Lender may assign all or any
portion of his rights and obligations under this Agreement at any time, and from
time to time, with notice to Borrower.  Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement
shall be binding upon the heirs, executors and personal representative of
Borrower and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors
and assigns of Lender.

          5.3  ENTIRE AGREEMENT, CONTROLLING DOCUMENT.  This Agreement
               --------------------------------------                 
constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence and
understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
whether oral or in writing.

          5.4  COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT.  If any party to this Agreement seeks to
               --------------------                                          
enforce its rights under this Agreement by legal proceedings or otherwise, the
non-prevailing party shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing
party, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys' fees.

          5.5  GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  This Agreement shall be
               --------------------------------------                          
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California
applicable to contracts entered into by California residents and to be performed
wholly in the State of California.  Each party hereto hereby agrees that any
action that, in whole or in part, in any way arises under this Agreement shall
be brought in the Superior Court of the State of California for the City and
County of San Francisco or the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California.  Each party hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction
and venue of such Courts for purposes of any such action and agrees that any
notice, document or complaint in any such action may be served on it by delivery
in the manner provided for the delivery of notices under this Agreement.

          5.6  NOTICES.  All notices and other communications under this
               -------                                                  
Agreement (other than payments hereunder, which shall be deemed made as of the
date of receipt by Lender) shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been
duly given on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by telegram,
telex or confirmed facsimile, or on the next day after dispatch via overnight
messenger or courier, or on the second day after mailing if mailed to the party
to whom notice is to be given by first class mail, registered or certified,
postage prepaid, and addressed as follows (until any such address is changed by
notice duly given):

          To Borrower at:         Anil Bedi
                                  c/o Applied Micro Circuits Corporation.
                                  6290 Sequence Drive
                                  San Diego, CA  92121
<PAGE>
 
          To Lender at:           Applied Micro Circuits Corporation.
                                  6290 Sequence Drive
                                  San Diego, CA  92121
                                  attn: Joel Holliday

          To Pledgeholder at:     Corporate Secretary
                                  Applied Micro Circuits Corporation.
                                  6290 Sequence Drive
                                  San Diego, CA  92121
                                        
          5.7 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
              ------------
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall be valid and
enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

          5.8 HEADINGS. The section headings used in this Agreement are intended
              --------
principally for convenience and shall not, by themselves, determine the rights
and obligations of the parties to this Agreement.

          5.9 DELAY AND WAIVER. No delay on the part of Lender in exercising any
              ----------------
right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of such right. The waiver
by Lender of any term or condition of this Agreement shall not be construed as a
waiver of a subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or a
waiver of any other term or condition contained in this Agreement.

          5.10 TERM. This Agreement shall terminate upon delivery by Lender, to
               ----
Borrower and Pledgeholder, of notice that all obligations of Borrower under this
Agreement have been fulfilled.

          5.11 LEGAL REPRESENTATION. Borrower hereby acknowledges that: (a) he
               --------------------                                           
has read this Agreement; (b) he understands that he has not been represented in
the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by Venture Law
Group, A Professional Corporation, which is counsel to the Lender; (c) he has
been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this
Agreement by legal counsel of his own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek
such counsel; (d) he understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement
and is fully aware of its legal and binding effect.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.


                        BORROWER:     /s/ Anil Bedi
                                      ___________________________________
                                      Anil Bedi


                        LENDER:       APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORPORATION

 

                                      By /s/ Joel Holliday
                                        _________________________________
 
                                      Title: Chief Official Officer
                                            _____________________________
<PAGE>
 
       CONSENT OF PLEDGEHOLDER.  The undersigned agrees to act as Pledgeholder
       -----------------------                                                
under this Agreement pursuant to Section 3 and agrees to be bound only by such
Section 3 and Section 5.


                              /s/ Joel Holliday
                              ______________________________________
                              Joel Holliday, Secretary of
                              Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                                    CONSENT


     I, ___________, have read and approved the foregoing Agreement.  I hereby
appoint Anil Bedi as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of any
rights under the Agreement and agree to the pledge by Anil Bedi of the options
to purchase the Common Stock of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation. as set forth
on Schedule 3.2 to the Agreement insofar as I may have any rights under such
Agreement or in any such shares or options under the community property laws of
the State of California or similar laws relating to marital property in effect
in any applicable state of residence as of the date of the signing of the
foregoing Agreement.


Dated: _________, 1998

                                        
                                     _______________________________________
                                         Name:
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 3.2

Security                            Number of Shares
- --------                            ----------------

Options for Common                  174,666


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