PMC SIERRA INC
10-K, 1998-03-24
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

            [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  For the fiscal year ended: December 28, 1997

          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                       For the transition period from: to

                         Commission File Number 0-19084

                                PMC-Sierra, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                       94-2925073
(State or other jurisdiction                (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     of incorporation)
                              105-8555 BAXTER PLACE
                       BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, V5A 4V7
                                     CANADA
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (604) 415-6000

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                         Common Stock, par value $0.001

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.      Yes  X      No
                                            ---        ---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

The  aggregate  market  value of the voting stock held by  nonaffiliates  of the
Registrant,  based upon the closing  sale price of the Common  Stock on February
17,  1998,  as  reported  by  the  Nasdaq  National  Market,  was  approximately
$845,732,084. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer and director
and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock have been
excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination
of affiliate  status is not  necessarily  a conclusive  determination  for other
purposes.

As of February 17, 1998, the  Registrant  had 29,937,325  shares of Common Stock
outstanding.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        Parts of the Proxy Statement for Registrant's 1998 Annual Meeting
        of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12
                    and 13 Part III of this Form 10-K Report.

<PAGE>

                                     PART I
ITEM 1.  Business.

General

PMC-Sierra,  Inc.  ("PMC"  or the  "Company")  designs,  develops,  markets  and
supports   high-performance   semiconductor   system   solutions   for  advanced
communications   markets.   The   Company's   products  are  used  in  broadband
communications  infrastructures  and high bandwidth  networks.  The Company is a
leading supplier of ATM,  SONET/SDH,  T1/E1 and D3/E3 integrated circuits in the
communications  infrastructure  and  networking  markets and also  provides fast
ethernet  integrated  circuits  to the  networking  markets.  In August 1996 the
Company  announced  its decision to exit the  personal  computer  modem  chipset
business,  to  restructure  its other  non-networking  products and focus on its
networking  products.  All of the Company's  modem  products were disposed of in
1997. The Company's remaining  non-networking  products are still being sold but
no development or follow-on products are planned.

The  Company  was   incorporated   in  the  State  of  California  in  1983  and
reincorporated  in the State of Delaware in 1997. All references to "PMC" or the
"Company"  include  the  Company's  subsidiaries,  unless the  context  requires
otherwise.  The  Company's  principal  executive  office is located at  105-8555
Baxter Place,  Burnaby,  B.C., Canada V5A 4V7. The Company's Common Stock trades
on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PMCS."

Industry Background

There are three primary drivers of  internetworking  equipment  demand which are
important to PMC-Sierra's  semiconductor  business: the Internet, the upgrade of
current corporate data networks and remote access.

The Internet and its  increased  usage by corporate  and  residential  customers
through Internet  Protocol ("IP"),  is putting a great strain on the public wide
area network  ("WAN")  telecommunications  infrastructure.  This  infrastructure
supports  a  worldwide   hybrid  network   designed  for  both  data  and  voice
communications.  The Internet is driving a new wave of residential  data traffic
carried over telephone modems and new high performance  digital subscriber lines
("DSL").  The  public  WAN  infrastructure,  originally  designed  for Plain Old
Telephone  Service  ("POTS"),  is now having to merge the increased data traffic
requirements  of the  corporate  world as  businesses  upgrade their current low
speed Ethernet  local area networks  ("LANs") to much higher speed Fast Ethernet
and Gigabit  Ethernet LANs. In addition,  the trends toward mobile computing and
telecommuting  are enabling new remote access equipment  opportunities for Frame
Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") and cellular wireless services. All of
this  voice  and  data  traffic  is  delivered  into  the  public  core  WAN for
transmission along its high bandwidth fiberoptic pipes.

The resultant total traffic increase far exceeds the bandwidth capacity deployed
in the core WAN. The mismatch between supply and demand of network  bandwidth is
driving  the  design  and  manufacture  of  high   performance   internetworking
equipment. This equipment primarily makes more efficient use of existing network
pipe bandwidth while  simultaneously  supporting  increased  bandwidth resulting
from the deployment of more and larger pipes.

These  trends  are  creating  the  following   opportunities   for  PMC-Sierra's
internetworking semiconductor solutions:

- -    A core WAN  infrastructure  is  being  developed  to  interface to existing
     fiberoptic  backbone  pipes  through the SONET/SDH  transmission  protocol.
     SONET/SDH  is a global  transmission  hierarchy  designed  to scale from 51
     megabits to upwards of terabit  rates.  Key  equipment  being  developed by
     carrier telecommunication  companies includes digital access cross connects
     and core SONET/SDH switches.

- -    For LAN corporate  data networks,  existing 10 megabit  Ethernet  workgroup
     hubs are being upgraded to 10/100 megabit Ethernet  workgroup switches with
     advanced  management  features.  These workgroup switches are in turn being
     connected to advanced enterprise Ethernet switches that have the ability to
     switch  combinations  of 100  megabit  and 1 gigabit  data  traffic.  A key
     requirement  of these LANs is the ability to provide for the  connection of
     this high speed Ethernet traffic into the core WAN backbone.
<PAGE>

- -    For Remote  Access  data  opportunities,  Frame  Relay  networks  are being
     upgraded  to carry and  aggregate  increased  levels of  traffic.  Internet
     Service  Providers  utilize  multi-platform  Point-of-Presence  and  Remote
     Access  Concentrator  equipment to  aggregate 64 kilobit DS0,  n*64 kilobit
     Fractional T1, 1.5 megabit T1, 2.0 megabit E1, 45 megabit T3 and 34 megabit
     E3 data  streams  into  larger  pipes.  The  High-speed  Data Link  Control
     ("HDLC")  protocol  is  essential  to connect  these low speed  Frame Relay
     streams into the core WAN backbone.

- -    For data,  voice  and  video  traffic  opportunities  which  require  great
     predictability,  ATM  networks  are being  created  which  can  scale  very
     effectively  from 1.5  megabits  to 2.4  gigabits.  ATM  networks  are very
     valuable for edge and core network switching and transmission  because they
     offer a complete  range of network  services  from direct  connections  and
     guaranteed  bandwidth for single protocol and  multiprotocol  traffic.  The
     fixed length ATM cell enhances  effective  connectivity  of data,  voice or
     video traffic into the core WAN backbone.

- -    The current Internet  infrastructure is dominated by router  entry into WAN
     backbone  fiberoptic pipes. There are certain cost and bandwidth  sensitive
     IP applications  that will not require routing  intelligence or ATM quality
     of service.  For these  applications,  IP-over-SONET  is a new protocol for
     more  effective  mapping of IP traffic  into the  Internet  backbone  using
     existing WAN backbone  pipes.  IP-over-SONET  is used in fast  ethernet and
     gigabit  ethernet  switches,  high speed gigabit  routers and remote access
     concentrators  to map IP,  Ethernet and Frame Relay  packets  directly into
     large  SONET/SDH  bandwidth  pipes  without  direct  routing  or  ATM  cell
     conversion.

- -    For residential  data  opportunities  that  require greater than current 56
     kilobit  analog  modem  speed,  new DSL  technology  enables  up to several
     megabits of bandwidth for Internet  content  download.  Several versions of
     DSL services are becoming  available which seek to provide  increased speed
     in the downstream and upstream directions over current POTS phone wire. New
     DSL access  multiplexor  equipment is being  developed  to  aggregate  this
     increased  residential  IP data traffic into the WAN. ATM appears to be the
     preferred vehicle for DSL to WAN connection.

- -    Wireless  voice  and  data   opportunities  are   being  generated  by  the
     deployment of Base  Transceiver  Stations.  These stations convert waves of
     radio  frequency air traffic into wireline  backhaul pipes primarily at 1.5
     megabit T1 and 2.0 megabit E1 rates.  These  backhaul  pipes are aggregated
     and networked by advanced Base Station  Controllers that provide  switching
     capability  and  processing  intelligence.   HDLC  and  ATM  protocols  are
     important for this  equipment as they provide the interface and  processing
     for these pipes.

- -    The  Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other  legislation have deregulated
     the industry worldwide and spurred a rush of new competitive local exchange
     carriers  ("CLECs")  which are competing with the incumbent  local exchange
     carriers ("ILECs"). In response,  telecommunications  companies and service
     providers are now upgrading their current product  offerings and developing
     new  products.  Many  traditional  phone  companies  are now  attempting to
     provide additional data services to increase revenue and profit. Some CLECs
     are also seeking an ownership  position in "the local loop",  the last mile
     of copper phone wire to the customer's premise.

All of the above trends are driving a need for the effective convergence of data
and voice  traffic from the LAN,  customer  premises and remote  access into the
core  WAN  fiber  backbones.  The  gateway  into the WAN  infrastructure  is the
add-drop  multiplexor ("ADM") which aggregates lower rate IP, Ethernet,  ATM and
Frame Relay traffic and provides for more efficient  provisioning  into core WAN
fiber backbones.

Networking Products

PMC provides internetworking semiconductor devices and related technical service
and  support to  equipment  manufacturers  for use in their  communications  and
networking  equipment.  The  Company's  objective  is  to  continue  to  develop
internetworking  "systems on a chip" that enable network  systems vendors to get
to market quickly with high performance, cost effective and scalable systems.
<PAGE>

PMC provides  internetworking  semiconductor solutions that address the industry
trends and span the key  internetworking  and communications  equipment markets.
The  Company's  product  offerings  are grouped  into four general  areas:  ATM,
Ethernet switching, Remote Access and SONET/SDH.

PMC provides the industry's  largest and broadest  array of merchant  market ATM
semiconductor devices and believes it is the market leader in ATM physical layer
solutions.  The S/UNI product line offers  physical  layer  solutions in a range
from  1.5  megabits  to 622  megabits.  Single  channel  and Dual  channel  port
densities are  available.  LAN, Edge and WAN core ATM switch feature set options
are available. The company has also produced a line of RCMP ATM layer processors
that  handle  higher  layer  ATM  protocol  such  as  policing,  operations  and
management, fault and performance monitoring.

The  Company has  introduced  a new line of Ethernet  Switching  products  which
address 10 and 100 megabit as well as gigabit speeds. The ELAN 8-port 10 megabit
switch-on-a-chip and ELAN 10/100 megabit uplink/switch-on-a-chip  products offer
an  onboard  central  processing  unit and a full range of  firmware  capable of
flexible management customization. Most recently the Company announced plans for
a next generation  Ethernet switching  architecture and connectivity bus design.
The new Exact  chipset  allows,  at speeds  reaching  32  gigabits  per  second,
switched LAN networks to scale from Layer 2 Ethernet bridging to complex Layer 3
routing  with packet  prioritization  features  along with added  management  as
desired.

In the Remote  Access arena,  the Company has responded to emerging  telecom and
datacom  opportunities  with its line of T1/E1 framers and its newly  introduced
line of high density Frame Relay and HDLC  controllers.  The Company  introduced
the world's first 3.3 volt  8-channel T1 framer,  the TOCTL,  to complement  its
already production released TQUAD quad-channel  version. The single channel T1XC
combines digital framing  technology with high performance analog line interface
technology. To meet European protocol standards, the Company has also introduced
E1  framing  equivalents,  the  E1XC  and  EQUAD.  The  Freedm  family  of  HDLC
controllers  combine the industry's  highest link density of 32 with the highest
channel  density  of 128 for  Internet  equipment  requiring  maximum  T1 and E1
aggregation.  The recent Quad-JET  product  introduction  provides for effective
mapping  between  J2,  E3  and  T3  frame/packet   environments   and  ATM  cell
environments. Its four channel density is highly suitable for small access cards
which  let  ATM  edge  switches  connect  to  Remote  Access   concentrator  and
multiplexor equipment.

With demand  increasing  for  framers,  multiplexors,  terminators  and mappers,
SONET/SDH  remains a core business of the Company.  It will be important for the
company to  provide  new  solutions  which  interface  to  SONET/SDH  fiberoptic
backbone pipes. The Company's newest product introduction is the Spectra-155,  a
highly integrated 155 megabit  SONET/SDH telecom  terminator which also provides
ability to map IP and datacom traffic into T3 45 megabit pipes.

User Interface Products

The Company restructured its product line to exit the modem chipset business and
discontinue development of its graphics,  multimedia and custom chipsets.  Modem
sales in 1997 were  limited to the  disposal of existing  inventories  which was
completed by mid year. Revenues from other user interface products have declined
rapidly  and,  due to the  lack  of any  follow-on  products,  are  expected  to
experience a further significant decline in 1998.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

The  Company's  sales  and  marketing  strategy  is to  achieve  design  wins by
developing  products with superior  functionality.  The Company  maintains close
working  relationships  with  its  customers  in  order to  design  and  develop
solutions which specifically address their needs. Technical support to customers
is provided through field application engineers, technical marketing and factory
systems  engineers.  The Company believes that providing  equipment vendors with
comprehensive   product  service  and  support  is  critical  to  maintaining  a
competitive  position in the  networking  market and is  critical to  shortening
customers' design cycles. PMC sells its products  primarily through  independent
manufacturers'   representatives   and,  to  a  lesser   extent,   distributors.
International  sales were 30%,  53% and 39% of net  revenues  in 1997,  1996 and
1995, respectively.
<PAGE>

In 1997, the country purchasing the largest percentage of the Company's products
outside  of the US was  Canada at 10%.  Indonesia,  Thailand  and  Korea,  which
experienced  significant currency and economic  fluctuations at the end of 1997,
accounted,  in the aggregate,  for less than 2% of the Company's  revenues.  The
higher  percentage of  international  sales in 1996 and 1995 was principally the
result of modem  products  being sold to  customers  in the Far East.  See "Risk
Factors - International Operations".

SCI Systems, Inc., an electronic  manufacturing service provider for a number of
user interface and networking end customers,  accounted for 18% of the Company's
1997 sales and less than 10% for 1996 and 1995. In 1997, 1996 and 1995, sales of
user  interface  products  to  Apple  Computer  accounted  for 4%,  10% and 24%,
respectively, of the Company's net revenues.

Manufacturing

The  Company  relies  on  independent  foundries  and  chip  assemblers  for the
manufacture of its products. The Company currently receives substantially all of
its wafers in finished  form from  Chartered  Semiconductor  Manufacturing  Ltd.
("Chartered"),  and Taiwan  Semiconductor  Manufacturing  Corporation  ("TSMC").
These independent foundries produce the Company's networking products at feature
sizes  down to 0.35  micron.  The  Company  believes  that by using  independent
foundries  to  fabricate  its  wafers,  it is  better  able to  concentrate  its
resources on designing and testing new products and is able to avoid much of the
capital cost associated with owning and operating a fabrication facility.

The Company has wafer supply agreements with its foundry suppliers which include
deposits to secure  access to wafer  fabrication  capacity.  One of those supply
agreements  was  amended  in the  fourth  quarter  of 1996  while  the other was
rewritten  in the  fourth  quarter of 1996 and  amended in the third  quarter of
1997.  Non-compliance  with  the  terms  of  the  agreements  may be  cause  for
termination of the agreement by either party.

Wafers supplied by outside  foundries must meet the Company's  incoming  quality
and test standards.  The Company conducts the majority of its test operations on
advanced  mixed  signal and  digital  test  equipment  in its  Burnaby,  British
Columbia,  Canada facility with the remainder  tested by independent  companies,
primarily in Asia.  Tested  wafers are assembled  into  packages by  independent
suppliers, predominantly in Asia.

There are risks  associated with outsourcing the manufacture and assembly of the
Company's  products.  See "Risk Factors - Access to Wafer  Fabrication and Other
Manufacturing  Capacity.  " The Company has placed substantial deposits with its
independent  foundry  suppliers.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and   Analysis
of  Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operations  -  Liquidity  and Capital
Resources. "

Research and Development

PMC  believes  that the  continued  introduction  of new  products in its target
markets is  essential to its growth.  PMC's  current  research  and  development
efforts focus on increasing the  functionality  and integration of its products.
The Company's research and development in the telecommunications  infrastructure
and local area  networking  markets is targeted at increasing the speed at which
its  chips  operate,  integrating  multiple  channels  on  single  devices,  and
broadening the portfolio of products which comply with the varying  protocols in
these  markets.  As a result of the  Company's  decision  to exit from the modem
chipset   business,   and  the   associated   restructuring   of  the  Company's
non-networking  product  operations,  the Company has discontinued  research and
development on any future modem and other non-networking  products.  The Company
expended  $22.9  million,  $29.4  million,  and $23.4  million on  research  and
development  in fiscal  1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  The  Company  also
expensed $7.8 million of in process  research and development in 1996 related to
its  acquisition  of certain  assets of Bit,  Inc. See  "Consolidated  Financial
Statements - Note 2"

There can be no assurance that any new products will be  successfully  developed
or will achieve market acceptance.  A failure in any of these areas would have a
material and adverse  affect on the Company.  See "Risk Factors -  Technological
Change."


<PAGE>

Backlog

Sales are made primarily  pursuant to standard  short-term  purchase  orders for
delivery of standard products.  The quantity actually purchased by the customer,
as well as the shipment schedules,  are frequently revised to reflect changes in
the customer's needs. As of December 31, 1997, the Company's backlog of products
scheduled for shipment  within six months totaled $36.3  million.  A significant
portion of the backlog may be cancelled without penalty at the discretion of the
customer.  Accordingly,  the Company believes that its backlog at any given time
is not a meaningful indicator of future revenues.  The Company's 1996 backlog of
$38.3 million  included  products now  discontinued  and was calculated based on
purchase orders  expected to ship within twelve months for semi-custom  products
and within seven months for other  products.  The Company  believes that the six
month horizon for inclusion in backlog is more  appropriate  for its changed mix
of business in 1997.

Competition

The  semiconductor  industry is intensely  competitive and is  characterized  by
rapid technological  change and by price erosion. The industry consists of major
domestic  and  international   semiconductor  companies,   many  of  which  have
substantially  greater financial and other resources than the Company.  Emerging
companies  also  provide   significant   competition  in  this  segment  of  the
semiconductor   market.  The  Company  believes  that  its  ability  to  compete
successfully  in this market  depends on a number of factors,  including,  among
others, the price, quality and performance of the Company's and its competitors'
products,  the timing and success of new product  introductions  by the Company,
its  customers  and  its  competitors,  the  emergence  of  new  standards,  the
development   of  technical   innovations,   the  ability  to  obtain   adequate
manufacturing  capacity,  the  efficiency of  production,  the rate at which the
Company's  customers  design the  Company's  products into their  products,  the
number and nature of the Company's  competitors in a given market, the assertion
of the Company's and its competitors'  intellectual  property rights and general
market and economic conditions.

The  Company's  competitors  in  this  market  include,  among  others,  Cypress
Semiconductor,  Dallas  Semiconductor,  Galileo  Technology,  Integrated  Device
Technology,  Level  One  Communications,   Lucent  Technologies,  MMC  Networks,
Rockwell International,  Siemens, Texas Instruments,  and Transwitch. The number
of  competitors  in this  market and the  technology  platforms  on which  their
products will compete may change in the future.  It is likely that over the next
few years additional competitors will enter the market with new products.  These
new competitors  may have  substantially  greater  financial and other resources
than the Company.  Competition among  manufacturers of  semiconductors  like the
Company's  products  typically  occurs at the design  stage,  where the customer
evaluates  alternative  design  approaches  that  require  integrated  circuits.
Because of shortened  product life cycles and design-in cycles in certain of the
Company's  customers  products,  the  Company's  competitors  have  increasingly
frequent  opportunities to achieve design wins in next generation  systems.  Any
success by the Company's competitors in supplanting the Company's products would
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Historically, average selling prices ("ASPs") in the semiconductor industry have
decreased  over  the  life  of  the  particular  product.   The  willingness  of
prospective  customers  to design the  Company's  products  into their  products
depends to a  significant  extent  upon the  ability of the Company to price its
products at a level that is cost effective for such customers. If the Company is
unable to reduce its costs  sufficiently to offset declines in ASPs or is unable
to introduce new higher performance products with higher ASPs, the Company would
be materially and adversely  affected.  Any yield or other production  problems,
shortages of supply that increase the Company's  manufacturing costs, or failure
to reduce  manufacturing  costs,  would  have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company.

Licenses, Patents and Trademarks

The Company has  granted  Chartered  Semiconductor  a  non-exclusive  license to
manufacture and sell integrated circuits licensed for sale by PMC and integrated
circuits  designed by Chartered  Semiconductor or its parent company.  Chartered
Semiconductor also has a worldwide  non-exclusive  right to manufacture  digital
integrated  circuits  for third  parties,  unless PMC  designed  the  circuit or
previously  supplied the circuit to the customer.  Chartered  Semiconductor  has
also licensed its manufacturing  technology to PMC for non-exclusive use outside
Singapore.  The license  agreement expires in November 1999. Upon termination of
the agreement,  the licenses to use the technology continue,  but obligations to
update licensed technology terminate.
<PAGE>

The Company has several U.S. patents and a number of pending patent applications
in the U.S. and Europe. In addition to such factors as innovation, technological
expertise and experienced  personnel,  the Company believes that a strong patent
position  is  becoming  increasingly  important  to compete  effectively  in the
industry and has an active program to acquire additional patent protection.  The
Company  applies for mask work  protection on its circuit  designs.  The Company
attempts  to  protect  its  software,   trade  secrets  and  other   proprietary
information by entering into proprietary  information  agreements with employees
and other security measures.  Although the Company intends to protect its rights
vigorously,  there can be no assurance  that these  measures will be successful.
See "Risk Factors - Patents and Proprietary Rights."

PMC and its logo are registered trademarks and service marks of the Company. The
Company owns other  trademarks and service marks not appearing in this Form 10-K
Annual Report.  Other  trademarks used in this Form 10-K Annual Report are owned
by other entities.

Employees

As of  December  31,  1997,  the  Company had 297  employees,  including  136 in
research  and  development,  56  in  production  and  quality  assurance,  68 in
marketing and sales and 37 in administration. None of the Company's employees is
represented  by a  collective  bargaining  agreement,  nor has the Company  ever
experienced any work stoppage.


<PAGE>


RISK FACTORS

THE  COMPANY'S  BUSINESS,  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND RESULTS OF  OPERATIONS  ARE
SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF RISKS,  SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED  BELOW. THE FACT THAT
SOME OF THE RISK  FACTORS  MAY BE THE SAME OR SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE  COMPANY'S
PAST SEC FILINGS MEANS ONLY THAT THE RISKS ARE PRESENT IN MULTIPLE PERIODS.  THE
COMPANY BELIEVES THAT MANY OF THE RISKS DETAILED HERE AND IN THE COMPANY'S OTHER
SEC FILINGS ARE PART OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE FABLESS  NETWORKING  SEMICONDUCTOR
INDUSTRY  AND WILL  LIKELY BE PRESENT  IN ALL  PERIODS  REPORTED.  THE FACT THAT
CERTAIN  RISKS ARE ENDEMIC TO THE INDUSTRY DOES NOT LESSEN THE  SIGNIFICANCE  OF
THE RISK.

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Report constitute "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the federal securities laws. The actual results,  performance, or
achievements of the Company may be materially  different from those expressed or
implied by such  forward-looking  statements.  Reference to the Company includes
its  subsidiary   PMC-Sierra   Ltd.,  a  Canadian   corporation  and  its  other
subsidiaries.  The forward-looking  statements include  projections  relating to
trends in markets,  revenues,  particularly  expectations of long-term revenues,
gross margin,  and future  expenditures on research and development,  marketing,
general  and  administrative  expense  and the  year  2000  issue.  The  Company
undertakes no obligation to release revisions to  forward-looking  statements to
reflect subsequent events.


FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS

The Company's quarterly and annual operating results may vary due to a number of
factors,  including,  among  others,  the timing of new  product  introductions,
decreased  demand or average selling prices for products,  market  acceptance of
products,  demand for products of the Company's  customers,  the introduction of
products or technologies by the Company's  competitors,  competitive pressure on
product  pricing,  the  Company's  and its  customers'  inventory  levels of the
Company's products,  product availability from outside foundries,  variations in
manufacturing  yields for the Company's  products,  expenditures for new product
and  process  development,  the  acquisition  of  wafer  fabrication  and  other
manufacturing   capacity,  and  the  acquisition  of  businesses,   products  or
technologies.  At various  times in the past,  the  Company's  foundry and other
suppliers have  experienced  lower than  anticipated  yields that have adversely
affected production and,  consequently,  the Company.  There can be no assurance
that the  Company's  existing  or future  foundry and other  suppliers  will not
experience  irregularities  which  could have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company.  The  Company  from time to time may order in  advance  of  anticipated
customer demand from its suppliers in response to anticipated long lead times to
obtain inventory and materials, which might result in excess inventory levels if
expected  orders  fail to  materialize  or other  factors  render the  Company's
product or its customer's  products less  marketable.  The Company's  ability to
forecast  sales of  networking  chips is  limited  due to  customer  uncertainty
regarding future demand for end-user networking  equipment and price competition
in the market for networking  equipment.  Any delay or  cancellation of existing
orders,  or any decline in projected future orders,  by the Company's  customers
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Margins will vary depending
on product mix. In the longer term, the Company may experience  declining  gross
profits as a  percentage  of total net  revenues  if  anticipated  decreases  in
average  selling  prices  of  existing  networking  products  are not  offset by
commensurate  reductions in product costs, or by an offsetting increase in gross
profit  contribution  from new, higher gross margin,  networking  products.  The
Company is also affected by the state and direction of the electronics  industry
and the economy in the United States and other markets the Company  serves.  The
occurrence  of any of the  foregoing  or other  factors  could  have a  material
adverse  effect on the Company.  Due to these  factors,  past results may not be
indicative of future results.



<PAGE>

TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

The markets for the Company's  products are  characterized by evolving  industry
standards,  rapid technological change and product  obsolescence.  Technological
change  may  be   particularly   pronounced  in  the   developing   markets  for
communications  semiconductor devices used in high-speed networks. The Company's
future  success  will  be  highly  dependent  upon  the  timely  completion  and
introduction of new products at competitive  price and performance  levels.  The
success  of new  products  depends  on a number  of  factors,  including  proper
definition  of such  products,  successful  and  timely  completion  of  product
development and introduction to market, correct judgment with respect to product
demand,  market  acceptance  of  the  Company's  and  its  customers'  products,
fabrication  yields by the  Company's  independent  foundries  and the continued
ability of the Company to offer  innovative new products at competitive  prices.
Many of these  factors are outside the control of the  Company.  There can be no
assurance  that the Company will be able to identify  new product  opportunities
successfully,  develop and bring to market new products,  achieve design wins or
be  able  to  respond  effectively  to  new  technological  changes  or  product
announcements  by others.  A failure in any of these areas would have a material
and adverse affect on the Company.

The Company's  current  strategy is focused on high-speed  networking  interface
chips. Products for telecommunications and data communications  applications are
based on industry standards that are continually evolving. Future transitions in
customer  preferences  could quickly make the  Company's  products  obsolete.  A
material part of the Company's  products are in the ATM  telecommunications  and
networking market, which is in an early stage of development.  The emergence and
adoption of new industry  standards  that compete with ATM or maintenance by the
industry  of  existing  standards  in lieu of new  standards  could  render  the
Company's ATM products  unmarketable  or obsolete.  The market for ATM equipment
has  not  developed  as  rapidly  as  industry  observers  have  predicted,  and
alternative  networking  technologies  such  as  "fast  ethernet"  and  "gigabit
ethernet" have developed to meet consumer requirements. A substantial portion of
the Company's  development efforts are focused on ATM and related products.  Net
revenues  derived from sales of ATM, T1/E1,  DS3/E3 and SONET/SDH based products
amounted to 67% and 33% of the  Company's  total net  revenues in 1997 and 1996,
respectively.  As a result of the Company's  1996  restructuring,  revenues from
non-networking  products  have  declined  significantly  over the  last  several
quarters, making the Company's results depend primarily on networking products.

The Company,  through a business  combination,  acquired in-process research and
development and developed technology relating to ethernet switching in September
1996.  During 1997, the Company announced a 100 Mbit/s fast ethernet switch on a
chip and an 8-port, 10 Mbit/s ethernet switch chip.  Gigabit Ethernet  switching
chips are in  development.  Ethernet  switching  is a new  product  area for the
Company and there can be no  assurance  that  announced  products or products in
development will have correctly anticipated the needs of the networking industry
or that they will receive sufficient design wins to achieve commercial success.

Many of the  Company's  products  under  development  are complex  semiconductor
devices that  require  extensive  design and testing  before  prototypes  can be
manufactured.  The integration of a number of functions in a single chip or in a
chipset  requires the use of advanced  semiconductor  manufacturing  techniques.
This can  result  in chip  redesigns  if the  initial  design  does  not  permit
acceptable  manufacturing  yields. The Company's products are often designed for
customers  who in many  instances  have not yet  fully  defined  their  hardware
products.  Design  delays or  redesigns by these  customers  could in turn delay
completion or require redesign of the semiconductor devices needed for the final
hardware product.  In this regard,  many of the relevant standards and protocols
for products based on high speed  networking  technologies  have not been widely
adopted or ratified by the relevant standard-setting bodies. Redesigns or design
delays often are required for both the hardware  manufacturer's products and the
Company's  chips  as  industry  and  customer  standards,  protocols  or  design
specifications  are  determined.  Any resulting  delay in the  production of the
Company's products could have a material adverse effect on the Company.


COMPETITION

The  semiconductor  industry is intensely  competitive and is  characterized  by
rapid technological  change and by price erosion. The industry consists of major
domestic  and  international   semiconductor  companies,   many  of  which  have
substantially  greater financial and other resources than the Company.  Emerging
companies  also  provide   significant   competition  in  this  segment  of  the
semiconductor   market.  The  Company  believes  that  its  ability  to  compete
successfully  in this market  depends on a number of factors,  including,  among
others, the price, quality and performance of the Company's and its competitors'
products,  the timing and success of new product  introductions  by the Company,
its  customers  and  its  competitors,  the  emergence  of  new  standards,  the
development   of  technical   innovations,   the  ability  to  obtain   adequate
manufacturing  capacity,  the  efficiency of  production,  the rate at which the
Company's  customers  design the  Company's  products into their  products,  the
number and nature of the Company's  competitors in a given market, the assertion
of the Company's and its competitors'  intellectual  property rights and general
market and economic conditions.
<PAGE>

The  Company's  competitors  in  this  market  include,  among  others,  Cypress
Semiconductor,  Dallas  Semiconductor,  Galileo  Technology,  Integrated  Device
Technology,  Level  One  Communications,   Lucent  Technologies,  MMC  Networks,
Rockwell International,  Siemens, Texas Instruments,  and Transwitch. The number
of  competitors  in this  market and the  technology  platforms  on which  their
products will compete may change in the future.  It is likely that over the next
few years additional competitors will enter the market with new products.  These
new competitors  may have  substantially  greater  financial and other resources
than the Company.  Competition among  manufacturers of  semiconductors  like the
Company's  products  typically  occurs at the design  stage,  where the customer
evaluates  alternative  design  approaches  that  require  integrated  circuits.
Because of shortened  product life cycles and design-in cycles in certain of the
Company's  customers  products,  the  Company's  competitors  have  increasingly
frequent  opportunities to achieve design wins in next generation  systems.  Any
success by the Company's competitors in supplanting the Company's products would
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Historically, average selling prices ("ASPs") in the semiconductor industry have
decreased  over  the  life  of  the  particular  product.   The  willingness  of
prospective  customers  to design the  Company's  products  into their  products
depends to a  significant  extent  upon the  ability of the Company to price its
products at a level that is cost effective for such customers. If the Company is
unable to reduce its costs  sufficiently to offset declines in ASPs or is unable
to introduce new higher performance products with higher ASPs, the Company would
be materially and adversely  affected.  Any yield or other production  problems,
shortages of supply that increase the Company's  manufacturing costs, or failure
to reduce  manufacturing  costs,  would  have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company.


ACCESS TO WAFER FABRICATION AND OTHER MANUFACTURING CAPACITY

The Company does not own or operate a wafer fabrication facility, and all of its
semiconductor   device   requirements   are   supplied  by  outside   foundries.
Substantially  all  of  the  Company's   semiconductor  products  are  currently
manufactured by third party foundry  suppliers.  The Company's foundry suppliers
fabricate products for other companies and produce products of their own design.
The  Company's  reliance on  independent  foundries  involves a number of risks,
including  the  absence  of  adequate   capacity,   the   unavailability  of  or
interruptions in access to certain process technologies and reduced control over
delivery  schedules,  manufacturing  yields and  costs.  In the event that these
foundries  are unable or  unwilling  to continue to  manufacture  the  Company's
products in required  volumes,  the  Company  will have to identify  and qualify
acceptable additional or alternative foundries. This qualification process could
take six months or longer.  No assurance can be given that any such source would
become  available  to the Company or that any such source would be in a position
to satisfy the Company's  production  requirements on a timely basis, if at all.
Any  significant  interruption  in the supply of  semiconductors  to the Company
would result in the  allocation  of products to  customers,  which in turn could
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

All of the Company's  semiconductor  products are assembled by sub-assemblers in
Asia.  Shortages of raw materials or disruptions in the provision of services by
the  Company's  assembly  houses or other  circumstances  that would require the
Company to seek  additional or  alternative  sources of supply or assembly could
lead to supply constraints or delays in the delivery of the Company's  products.
Such  constraints or delays may result in the loss of customers or other adverse
effects on the Company.  The Company's  reliance on independent  assembly houses
involves  a number of other  risks,  including  reduced  control  over  delivery
schedules,  quality  assurances and costs, the possible  discontinuance  of such
contractors'  assembly  processes and  fluctuations of regional  economies.  Any
supply or other problems resulting from such risks would have a material adverse
effect on the Company.

<PAGE>

CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

The Company has no long-term  volume purchase  commitments from any of its major
customers. The Company has only one customer that accounted for more than 10% of
its 1997  revenues,  but depends on a limited  number of  customers  for a major
portion of its revenues.

The  reduction,  delay or  cancellation  of orders from one or more  significant
customers  could have a material and adverse  affect on the Company.  Due to the
relatively  short  product  life  cycles  in  the  telecommunications  and  data
communications  markets,  the Company would be materially and adversely affected
if one or more of its significant  customers were to select devices manufactured
by one of the Company's competitors for inclusion in future product generations.
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 the levels of previous  periods,  or that the Company  will be able to obtain
orders  from  new  customers.  Loss  of one or  more  of the  Company's  current
customers or a disruption in the Company's sales and distribution channels could
have a material and adverse affect on the Company.


INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

In  fiscal  years  1997,  1996  and  1995,  international  sales  accounted  for
approximately 30%, 53% and 39% of the Company's net revenues,  respectively. The
Company's networking products must accommodate numerous worldwide communications
standards  and sales to US based  customers  are often for products that they in
turn  export  worldwide.  The  Company  expects  that  international  sales will
continue to represent a significant  portion of the Company's and its customers'
net  revenues  for  the  foreseeable  future.  The  majority  of  the  Company's
development,  test,  marketing and administrative  functions occur in Canada. In
addition,   substantially  all  of  the  Company's  products  are  manufactured,
assembled and tested by  independent  third parties in Asia. Due to its reliance
on  international  sales and operations,  the Company is subject to the risks of
conducting business outside of the United States. These risks include unexpected
changes in, or impositions of, legislative or regulatory requirements and policy
changes affecting the telecommunications and data communications markets, delays
resulting from difficulty in obtaining  export licenses for certain  technology,
tariffs,  quotas,  exchange  rates and other trade  barriers  and  restrictions,
longer payment cycles,  greater  difficulty in accounts  receivable  collection,
potentially  adverse  taxes,  the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign
laws and other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company is also subject
to general  geopolitical risks in connection with its international  operations,
such as political,  social and economic  instability,  potential hostilities and
changes in diplomatic and trade relationships. Sales of the Company's networking
products are denominated in U.S. dollars as are costs related to the manufacture
and assembly of products by the Company's Asian suppliers.  Costs related to the
majority  of the  Company's  development,  test,  marketing  and  administrative
functions are denominated in Canadian dollars.  Selling costs are denominated in
a variety of  currencies.  As a result,  the  Company is subject to the risks of
currency  fluctuations.  There  can be no  assurance  that  one or  more  of the
foregoing factors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.


DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

The  Company's  success  depends  to a  significant  extent  upon the  continued
services of its key technical  personnel,  particularly  those highly skilled at
the  design  and  test  functions  involved  in the  development  of high  speed
networking products and related software.  The competition for such employees is
intense.  The  Company  has no  employment  agreements  in place  with these key
personnel.  However, the Company from time to time issues shares of Common Stock
or options to purchase  Common Stock of the Company  subject to vesting.  To the
extent  shares  purchased  from or options  granted by the Company have economic
value,  these  securities  could create  retention  incentives.  The loss of the
services of one or more of these key personnel, and any difficulties the Company
may  experience  in hiring  qualified  replacements,  would have a material  and
adverse affect on the Company.

<PAGE>

PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

The  Company's  ability to compete is  affected  by its  ability to protect  its
proprietary  information.  The  Company  relies  on a  combination  of  patents,
trademarks,  copyrights,  trade  secret  laws,  confidentiality  procedures  and
licensing  arrangements to protect its intellectual property rights. The Company
currently holds several patents and has a number of pending patent applications.
There can be no assurance  that patents will be issued from any of the Company's
pending  applications or that any claims allowed will be of sufficient  scope or
strength,  or be issued in all  countries  where the  Company's  products can be
sold,  to provide  meaningful  protection  or any  commercial  advantage  to the
Company.  In addition,  competitors  of the Company may be able to design around
the  Company's  patents.  The laws of  certain  foreign  countries  in which the
Company's  products are or may be  developed,  manufactured  or sold,  including
various   countries  in  Asia,  may  not  protect  the  Company's   products  or
intellectual  property  rights to the same  extent as do the laws of the  United
States and thus make the  possibility of piracy of the Company's  technology and
products  more  likely.  There can be no  assurance  that the steps taken by the
Company to protect  its  proprietary  information  will be  adequate  to prevent
misappropriation  of its technology or that the Company's  competitors  will not
independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior
to the Company's technology.

The semiconductor  industry is characterized by vigorous  protection and pursuit
of intellectual property rights or positions, which have resulted in significant
and often protracted and expensive  litigation.  The Company or its customers or
foundries have in the past, and may from time to time in the future, be notified
of claims  that the  Company  may be  infringing  patents or other  intellectual
property  rights owned by third  parties.  If it is necessary or desirable,  the
Company may seek licenses under patents or intellectual  property rights.  There
can be no  assurance  that  licenses  will be available or that the terms of any
offered  license will be acceptable to the Company.  Failure to obtain a license
from a third party for technology used by the Company could cause the Company to
incur substantial  liabilities and to suspend the manufacture of products or the
use by the Company's  foundry suppliers  requiring the technology.  In the past,
the  Company's  customers  have been  required to obtain  licenses  from and pay
royalties to third parties for the sale of systems  incorporating  the Company's
semiconductor  devices. If this occurs in the future, the customers'  businesses
may be materially  and adversely  affected,  which in turn would have a material
and adverse  affect on the Company.  The Company has provided its customers with
indemnity up to the dollar  amount of their  purchases  of any Company  products
found to be  infringing  on  technology  owned by third  parties.  Although  the
Company  discontinued  the practice of indemnifying its customers in December of
1997,  third party or customer claims may still be made against the Company with
respect to the infringement of the technology of third parties. Furthermore, the
Company may initiate claims or litigation against third parties for infringement
of  the  Company's  proprietary  rights  or to  establish  the  validity  of the
Company's proprietary rights.  Litigation by or against the Company could result
in  significant  expense to the Company and divert the efforts of the  Company's
technical and management personnel,  whether or not such litigation results in a
favorable  determination  for the Company.  In the event of an adverse result in
any such litigation,  the Company could be required to pay substantial  damages,
cease the manufacture,  use and sale of infringing  products,  spend significant
resources to develop non-infringing  technology,  discontinue the use of certain
processes  or obtain  licenses  to the  infringing  technology.  There can be no
assurance that the Company would be successful in such  development or that such
licenses  would  be  available  on  reasonable  terms,  or at all,  and any such
development or license could require  expenditures by the Company of substantial
time and other  resources.  Patent disputes in the  semiconductor  industry have
often been settled  through  cross-licensing  arrangements.  Because the Company
currently does not have a substantial  portfolio of patents, the Company may not
be able to settle an alleged patent infringement claim through a cross-licensing
arrangement.  Any  successful  third  party  claim  against  the  Company or its
customers for patent or intellectual property infringement could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.


ACQUISITIONS

The  Company's  strategy  may  involve,  in  part,   acquisitions  of  products,
technologies or businesses from third parties. Identifying and negotiating these
acquisitions  may divert  substantial  management  time away from the  Company's
operations.  An  acquisition  could absorb  substantial  cash  resources,  could
require the Company to incur or assume debt  obligations,  or could  involve the
issuance  of  additional  equity  securities  of the  Company.  The  issuance of
additional  equity  securities  could  dilute,  and could  represent an interest
senior to the rights of, then outstanding PMC common stock. An acquisition which
is accounted for as a purchase,  like the acquisition of the Canadian networking
business in 1994 and the  acquisition  of certain  assets of Bipolar  Integrated
Technology,  ("Bit") in  September  1996,  could  involve  significant  one-time
write-offs,  and could  involve the  amortization  of goodwill  over a number of
years,  which would adversely  affect  earnings in those years.  Any acquisition
will require  attention from the Company's  management to integrate the acquired
entity  into the  Company's  operations,  may  require  the  Company  to develop
expertise  outside  its  existing  businesses  and may result in  departures  of
management  of  the  acquired  entity.  An  acquired  entity  may  have  unknown
liabilities,  and its  business may not achieve the results  anticipated  at the
time of the acquisition.

<PAGE>

FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS

The  Company  must  continue to make  significant  investments  in research  and
development  as well as  capital  equipment  and  expansion  of  facilities  for
networking  products.  The Company's future capital  requirements will depend on
many factors,  including,  among others,  product  development,  investments  in
working  capital,  and  acquisitions of  complementary  businesses,  products or
technologies.  To the extent that  existing  resources  and future  earnings are
insufficient  to fund the  Company's  operations,  the Company may need to raise
additional  funds  through  public  or  private  debt or equity  financings.  If
additional  funds are raised  through  the  issuance of equity  securities,  the
percentage  ownership  of current  stockholders  will be reduced and such equity
securities  may have rights,  preferences  or privileges  senior to those of the
holders of the Company's Common Stock. No assurance can be given that additional
financing  will be available or that, if available,  it can be obtained on terms
favorable  to the  Company  and its  stockholders.  If  adequate  funds  are not
available,  the Company may be required to delay, limit or eliminate some or all
of its proposed operations.

VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE

Factors such as announcements of the introduction of new products by the Company
or its competitors, quarterly fluctuations in the Company's financial results or
the financial  results of other  semiconductor  companies or of companies in the
personal computer industry, general conditions in the semiconductor industry and
conditions in the  worldwide  financial  markets  have, in the past,  caused the
price of the Company's Common Stock to fluctuate substantially, and may do so in
the future. In addition, increases in the Company's stock price and expansion of
its price-to-earnings multiple may have made it attractive to so-called momentum
investors.  Momentum investors are generally thought to shift funds into and out
of stocks rapidly,  exacerbating  price  fluctuations in either  direction.  The
price of the Company's stock may also be impacted by investor  sentiment  toward
technology  stocks,  in  general,  which  often is  unrelated  to the  operating
performance of a specific company.

YEAR 2000 COMPUTER SYSTEMS ISSUES

The  Company  is aware of the  issues  associated  with the  limitations  of the
programming code in many existing computer systems, whereby the computer systems
may not properly  recognize  date sensitive  information as the next  millennium
(year 2000) approaches.  Systems that do not properly recognize such information
could  generate  erroneous  data  or  cause  a  system  to  fail,  resulting  in
disruptions of the Company's operations. The Company uses commercially available
standard  software for its critical  operating and financial  applications.  One
vendor of  software  used by the Company is still  modifying  its code to become
year 2000 compliant and  anticipates  completion in 1998. If the vendor does not
successfully modify its code the Company could be forced to purchase a competing
system that is year 2000  compliant  and incur  installation  and other costs in
order to mitigate the Year 2000 Issue. The installation of a replacement  system
for  those  applications  that are  currently  not year  2000  compliant  is not
anticipated  to be material to the  Company's  financial  position or results of
operations in any given year.

The Company's  suppliers and customers are generally  much larger  organizations
than the Company with a greater  number of suppliers and customers of their own.
The Company believes that many of its suppliers and customers have not completed
their  own  systems  modification  to be year 2000  compliant.  The  failure  of
significant  suppliers or customers of the Company to become year 2000 compliant
could have material  adverse  consequences  to the Company.  Those  consequences
could include the inability to receive  product in a timely manner or lost sales
opportunities  either  of  which  could  result  in a  material  decline  in the
Company's  revenues and profits.  In addition,  there can be no guarantee that a
conversion by a third party's  system on which the Company's  systems rely would
be compatible with the Company's systems.

ITEM 2.  Properties.

The Company occupies  approximately 85,000 square feet of leased office space at
its headquarters in Burnaby, B.C., Canada for its testing, administration, sales
and marketing  and design and  engineering  operations.  This facility is leased
through April 2001. The Company has also leased  approximately 9,000 square feet
of office  space in  Beaverton,  Oregon  through to March 1999.  PMC also leases
offices  for its staff in  California,  Massachusetts,  North  Carolina,  Texas,
California, Ontario (Canada), Quebec (Canada), Barbados and England.

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. Submission of matters to a vote of Security Holders.

Not applicable.


<PAGE>


                                     PART II


ITEM 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters.

Stock  Price  Information.  The  Company's  Common  Stock  trades on the  Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol PMCS. The following  table sets forth,  for the
periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices for the Company's Common
Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market:

1996                                                      High         Low

First Quarter......................................      $24.75      $11.38
Second Quarter.....................................       20.88       11.00
Third Quarter......................................       13.75        8.38
Fourth Quarter.....................................       17.50       12.00


1997                                                      High         Low

First Quarter......................................      $18.13      $13.88
Second Quarter.....................................       26.38       13.88
Third Quarter......................................       35.13       24.50
Fourth Quarter.....................................       31.88       22.00


The  information  provided  above  is  based  on the  beginning  and end of each
calendar quarter.

As of February 17, 1998, there were  approximately  456 holders of record of the
Company's Common Stock.

The  Company  has never paid cash  dividends  on its Common  Stock.  The Company
currently  intends to retain earnings,  if any, for use in its business and does
not  anticipate  paying  any  cash  dividends  in the  foreseeable  future.  The
Company's current bank credit agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends.




<PAGE>

<TABLE>
ITEM 6.   Selected Financial Data.
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
(in thousands, except for per share data)
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year Ended December 31,(1) (2)
                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:                           1997 (3)         1996 (4)        1995 (5)        1994 (6)          1993 (7)

<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>
Net revenues                                         $   127,166      $   188,371     $   188,724      $   104,764      $    83,360
                                                      -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------      -----------
Gross profit                                              94,101           93,423          91,614           46,960           37,660
Research and development                                  22,880           29,350          23,428           15,702           15,439
In process research and development                            -            7,783               -           12,748                -
Marketing, general and administrative                     23,663           30,691          30,051           23,683           22,487
Purchase price adjustment - compensation                       -                -          10,624                -                -
Restructuring and other charges                           (1,383)          64,670               -           (1,559)          12,669
                                                      -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------      -----------
Income (loss) from operations                             48,941          (39,071)         27,511           (3,614)         (12,935)
                                                      ===========     ============    ============     ============      ===========
Income (loss) from continuing operations                  34,258          (48,150)         23,976           (7,916)         (12,983)
Loss from discontinued operations                              -                -         (22,497)            (666)               -
                                                      -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------      -----------
Net income (loss)                                     $   34,258      $   (48,150)    $     1,479      $    (8,582)      $  (12,983)
                                                      ===========     ============    ============     ============      ===========

Basic net income (loss) per share:  (8)
     from continuing operations                       $     1.10      $     (1.62)    $      0.89      $     (0.36)      $    (0.64)
     from discontinued operations                     $        -      $         -     $     (0.83)     $     (0.03)      $        -
                                                      -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------      -----------
     Net income (loss)                                $     1.10      $     (1.62)    $      0.06      $     (0.39)      $    (0.64)
                                                      ===========     ============    ============     ============      ===========

Diluted net income (loss) per share:  (8)
     from continuing operations                       $     1.05      $     (1.62)    $      0.84      $     (0.36)      $    (0.64)
     from discontinued operations                     $        -      $         -     $     (0.79)     $     (0.03)      $        -
                                                      -----------     ------------    ------------     ------------      -----------
     Net income (loss)                                $     1.05      $     (1.62)    $      0.05      $     (0.39)      $    (0.64)
                                                      ===========     ============    ============     ============      ===========

Shares used to calculate:
     Basic net income (loss) per share                    31,043           29,719          27,018           22,030           20,222
     Diluted net income (loss) per share                  32,642           29,719          28,620           22,030           20,222



                                                                               As of December 31,(1) (2)
                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                                       1997             1996            1995             1994             1993

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments     $   69,240      $    42,062     $    45,937      $    15,830      $    21,693
Working capital                                           58,595           20,438          32,741           23,813           14,803
Total assets                                             149,378          129,914         184,860           85,959           71,850
Long term debt (including current portion)                13,744           24,637          12,718            9,069           11,872
Shareholders' equity                                      90,565           48,444          81,000           34,865           40,153

<FN>


(1)  The  Company's  fiscal  year ends on the  Sunday  closest to  December  31.
     December 31 has been used as the fiscal year end for ease of  presentation.
     See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)  For 1995,  amounts  related to Prometheus  previously  reported  within net
     revenues were $19.0 million;  gross profit (loss) was ($0.1)  million;  and
     net profits were ($4.6) million.  For 1994, net revenues were $3.8 million;
     gross  profit  was  $0.3  million;  and net loss was  ($0.7)  million.  All
     previously  reported amounts have been included in "Loss from  discontinued
     operations".  Net revenues,  gross profit,  research and  development,  and
     marketing,  general  and  administrative  expenses  have been  restated  to
     exclude amounts  relating to Prometheus  Products,  Inc. Balance sheet data
     has been restated to exclude amounts relating to Prometheus.
(3)  Results for the year ended  December  31,  1997  include a recovery of $1.4
     million  from  the  reversal  of  the  excess  accrued  restructure  charge
     resulting from the conclusion of the restructuring.
(4)  Results for the year ended December 31, 1996 include a restructuring charge
     of $69.4 million related to Company's exit from the modem chipset  business
     and the associated  restructuring of its  non-networking  operations.  $4.7
     million of this charge was recorded in cost of sales as an inventory  write
     down, and $64.7 million was recorded as a  restructuring  cost in operating
     expenses. An in process research and development charge of $7.8 million was
     recorded in the third  quarter for the  acquisition  of ethernet  switching
     technology and other assets from Bipolar Integrated Technology.  Results of
     operations   include  costs  of  continuing  the  development  of  ethernet
     switching  products and related activities from the date of the acquisition
     on September 3, 1996.
(5)  Results  for the year  ended  December  31,  1995  include  the  loss  from
     discontinued  operations  related to  Prometheus  Products,  Inc.  of $22.5
     million,  purchase price  adjustment  relating to the  finalization  of the
     acquisition  of the Company's  Canadian  networking  product  operations of
     $10.6 million, and gain on sale of shares of SiTel Sierra B.V.
     of $6.7 million.
(6)  Results for the year ended  December 31, 1994 include the operations of the
     networking  business from the date of  acquisition,  September 2, 1994, and
     include in process research and development of $12.7 million, settlement of
     the class action  lawsuit of $2.4 million,  reversal of  restructuring  and
     other  charges of $1.6 million and a loss from  discontinued  operations of
     Prometheus of $0.7 million.
(7)  Results for the year ended  December  31, 1993  include  restructuring  and
     other charges of $15.6  million.  (8) Share and per share  information  has
     been adjusted for the 2 for 1 stock split effective October 5, 1995.

</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


Quarterly Comparisons

The following tables set forth consolidated statements of operations for each of
the  Company's  last eight  quarters and the  percentage  of the  Company's  net
revenues represented by each line item reflected in each consolidated  statement
of operations.  This quarterly information is unaudited and has been prepared on
the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements.  In management's
opinion, this quarterly information reflects all adjustments, consisting only of
normal  recurring  adjustments,   necessary  for  a  fair  presentation  of  the
information for the periods presented. The operating results for any quarter are
not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

<TABLE>
                           Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
                      (in thousands, except per share data)

<CAPTION>


                                                 Year Ended December 31, 1997 (1)             Year Ended December 31, 1996 (2)
                                            -----------------------------------------   -------------------------------------------
                                              Fourth     Third     Second     First       Fourth      Third     Second      First
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<S>                                          <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>
Net revenues                                 $ 31,713  $ 27,815   $ 34,064  $ 33,574     $ 36,227  $  34,726   $ 53,022   $ 64,396
                                            ---------- -------- ---------- ----------   ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit                                   24,170    21,757     24,451    23,723       21,679     13,790     27,665     30,289
Research and development                        6,395     5,136      5,309     6,040        5,979      7,080      7,885      8,406
In process research and development                 -         -          -         -            -      7,783          -          -
Marketing, general and administrative           5,013     5,735      6,614     6,301        5,778      7,406      8,842      8,665
Restructuring and other charges                (1,383)        -          -         -            -     64,670          -          -
                                            ---------- -------- ---------- ----------   ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from operations                  14,145    10,886     12,528    11,382        9,922    (73,149)    10,938     13,218
                                            ========== ======== ========== ==========   ========== ========== ========== ==========
Net income (loss)                            $  9,556   $ 7,291   $  8,931  $  8,480     $  9,120  $ (73,294)  $  7,198   $  8,826
                                            ========== ======== ========== ==========   ========== ========== ========== ==========

Basic net income (loss) per share            $   0.30   $  0.23   $   0.29  $   0.28     $   0.30  $   (2.46)  $   0.25   $   0.30
Common shares outstanding (3)                  31,334    31,146     30,918    30,774       30,509     29,782     29,355     29,231

Diluted net income (loss) per share          $   0.29   $  0.22   $   0.28  $   0.27     $   0.29  $   (2.46)  $   0.24   $   0.29
Common shares outstanding assuming dilution    33,111    33,188     32,374    31,895       31,655     29,782     30,578     30,790



                                As a Percentage of Net Revenues (Unaudited)

                                                  Year Ended December 31, 1997 (1)             Year Ended December 31, 1996 (2)
                                             ----------------------------------------    ------------------------------------------
                                              Fourth     Third     Second     First       Fourth      Third     Second      First

Net revenues                                   100%      100%       100%       100%        100%        100%       100%       100%
Gross profit                                    76%       78%        72%        71%         60%         40%        52%        47%
Research and development                        20%       18%        16%        18%         17%         20%        15%        13%
In process research and development               -         -          -          -           -         22%          -          -
Marketing, general and administrative           16%       21%        19%        19%         16%         21%        17%        14%
Restructuring and other charges                 (4%)        -          -          -           -        186%          -          -
Income (loss) from operations                   45%       39%        37%        34%         27%       (211%)       21%        21%

<FN>


(1)  Results for the year ended December 31, 1997 include a restructuring charge
     recovery  of  $1.4  million  from  the  reversal  of  the  excess   accrued
     restructure  charge from the conclusion of the  restructuring in the fourth
     quarter.
(2)  Results for the year ended December 31, 1996 include a restructuring charge
     of $69.4  million in the third quarter  related to the Company's  exit from
     the  modem  chipset  business  and  the  associated  restructuring  of  its
     non-networking operations. $4.7 million of this charge was recorded in cost
     of sales as an inventory  write down,  and $64.7  million was recorded as a
     restructuring  cost in  operating  expenses.  An in  process  research  and
     development  charge of $7.8 million was  recorded in the third  quarter for
     the acquisition of ethernet switching technology and other assets from Bit,
     Inc.  Results of operations  include costs of continuing the development of
     ethernet  switching  products and related  activities  from the date of the
     acquisition on September 3, 1996.
(3)  PMC-Sierra,  Ltd.  Special Shares are included in the  calculation of basic
     net income (loss) per share.

</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



ITEM 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations.

Description of  Forward-looking  Statements.  This portion of this Annual Report
contains  forward-looking   statements  relating  to  revenues,  gross  margins,
expenditures on research and development,  and sufficiency of capital resources.
Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements
for a number of reasons, including those described in "Risk Factors."

General. PMC designs,  develops,  markets and supports  high-performance silicon
solutions for advanced  communications  markets. The Company's products are used
in the broadband  communications  infrastructure and high bandwidth networks. In
the third quarter of 1996,  the Company  announced its decision to exit from the
personal  computer modem chipset  business,  to restructure  its  non-networking
operations and to focus on its networking semiconductor  businesses.  Consistent
with this strategy, the Company acquired, in the third quarter of 1996, ethernet
switching  assets,  intellectual  property and certain other assets from Bipolar
Integrated  Technology  ("Bit").  In the  fourth  quarter of 1995,  the  Company
discontinued operations of Prometheus Products Inc. ("Prometheus").

Results of Operations

Net Revenues ($000,000)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1997      Change         1996      Change       1995
                                       ----      ------         ----      ------       ----
<S>                                  <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   Networking products                $85.6        36%         $62.8       60%         $39.2
   User interface - other             $35.7       (46%)        $66.6      (28%)        $92.8
   User interface - modem              $5.9       (90%)        $59.0        4%         $56.7
                                 -----------               ----------               ---------
   Total net revenues                $127.2       (32%)       $188.4        -         $188.7
                                 ===========               ==========               =========

</TABLE>

Net revenues  declined 32% in 1997 as a result of the  Company's  third  quarter
1996  strategic  decision to exit the modem chipset  business,  restructure  its
other  non-networking  business  and to  focus on its  networking  semiconductor
business.

Networking  product  revenue  grew  36% in  1997  compared  to  1996  due to the
continued  strong  demand for the  broadband  networking  equipment in which the
Company's  products  are used.  Industry  analysts  expect  sales of  networking
equipment  to increase in the coming  year.  The  Company  expects  that if such
increase occurs, the Company's revenues from networking products will increase.

Revenue  from  products  classified  as User  Interface - other,  which  include
custom, graphic, and other semiconductors declined 46% in 1997 from 1996 levels.
The Company is supporting  these  products for its existing  customers,  but has
decided  not to do any  follow on  products  of this type.  Further  substantial
declines are expected in User Interface-other revenue in the coming year.

The disposal of the Company's  modem chipset  inventories and the exit from that
business was  completed  in 1997.  No future  revenues  are  expected  from that
business.

Net revenues in 1996 remained  approximately at the same level as 1995 revenues.
Substantial  growth in sales of  networking  products,  and a small  increase in
modem chipset  product  sales,  were offset by declines in other user  interface
products,  which were primarily due to lower sales of graphic chip products. The
small  increase in 1996 modem chipset  sales over 1995  resulted from  increased
unit sales of both V.34 and V.32 modem  products  in the first half of the year,
while in the second  half of the year the  Company  experienced  declining  unit
sales and substantially lower prices for modem products.


<PAGE>


Gross Profit ($000,000)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997       Change        1996        Change        1995
                                                    ----       ------        ----        ------        ----

<S>                                                <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
   Networking products                             $68.9         48%        $46.4          58%        $29.3
   Percentage of net networking revenues             80%                      74%                       75%

   User interface products                         $25.2        (46%)       $47.0         (25%)       $62.3
   Percentage of net user interface revenues         61%                      37%                       42%

Total gross profit                                 $94.1          1%        $93.4           2%        $91.6
   Percentage of net revenues                        74%                      50%                       49%

</TABLE>

Total gross profit increased from 1996 to 1997 as a result of increased sales of
higher gross margin networking  products  offsetting the decline in gross profit
due to lower  revenues from the  Company's  user  interface  products and due to
lower wafer costs in 1997 than in the prior year.

User  interface  gross  profit in 1996 was reduced by a $4.7  million  inventory
charge  related to the Company's  decision to exit the modem  chipset  business.
Gross  profits on user  interface  products in 1997,  which  includes  the gross
profits from modem  chipset  sales,  as well as the gross  profits on sales from
other  non-networking  products,  were higher than historical  levels due to the
sales  and cost of  sales of modem  chipset  inventories.  In  establishing  its
reserve for the write down of its modem  chipset  inventories,  the Company took
into  account  both the  costs of  completion  and  disposal  in  revaluing  the
inventory  to the lower of cost or  market.  The higher  amount of gross  profit
recognized  during  the  first  half of 1997 and  included  in the 1997  results
represents the amount  necessary to cover the relatively  higher period expenses
incurred  relating  to  the  disposal  effort.  There  was no  operating  profit
recognized from the sale of modem chipset products.

Total gross profit increased from 1995 to 1996 as a result of increased sales of
higher gross margin networking products as a percentage of total net revenues.

The Company expects that networking  gross profits as a percentage of networking
net  revenues  may  experience  a decline if  anticipated  decreases  in average
selling prices of existing  networking  products are not offset by  commensurate
reductions in  production  costs,  or by an offsetting  increase in gross profit
contribution from new higher gross margin networking products.

Other Costs and Expenses ($000,000)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997        Change       1996        Change       1995
                                                 ----        ------       ----        ------       ----

<S>                                              <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>
Research and development                         $22.9        (22%)       $29.4         26%        $23.4
Percentage of net revenues                         18%                      16%                      12%

In-process research & development                    -            -        $7.8           -           -
Percentage of net revenues                           -                       4%                       -

Marketing, general & administrative              $23.7        (23%)       $30.7          2%        $30.1
Percentage of net revenues                         19%                      16%                      16%

Purchase price adjustment-compensation               -           -            -           -        $10.6
Percentage of net revenues                           -                        -                       6%

Restructure costs                                $(1.4)          -        $64.7           -           -
Percentage of net revenues                         (1%)                     34%                       -

</TABLE>

Research and Development.  Research and development  expenses  decreased in 1997
primarily  due to the  discontinuance  of spending on user  interface  products,
partially offset by increased spending on networking  products.  As a percentage
of net revenues,  research and development  spending on the company's networking
products is higher in all periods than research and development  spending on the
Company's  user  interface  products.  The increase in research and  development
spending  in 1996  over  1995  was  primarily  due to  greater  spending  on the
development of networking products. The Company expects research and development
costs to  increase  in the future with all  spending  related to its  networking
products.
<PAGE>

In Process Research and Development. In process research and development charges
incurred in 1996 are a result of the  acquisition of the ethernet  switching and
other assets from Bit.

Marketing,  General, and Administrative.  Marketing,  general and administrative
expenses  declined  primarily  due to the  reduction in expenses  and  personnel
resulting  from the  third  quarter  1996  restructuring  of the  non-networking
operations. The increase in these expenses as a percentage of net sales reflects
increased  spending on networking  products and a decline in total net revenues.
Spending  on  marketing,  general  and  administrative  expenses  did not change
substantially  between  1995 and 1996 as  increases  related  to its  networking
products,  primarily related to increased  staffing,  were offset by declines in
these  expenses  and  the  headcount  of  user  interface   groups  due  to  the
restructuring.

Purchase  Price  Adjustment.  In completing  the  acquisition  of the networking
business  in the third  quarter of 1995,  the Company  recorded a $10.6  million
charge relating to the compensation  expense  associated with the purchase price
adjustment  shares  reserved for issuance to the  employee  shareholders  of the
acquired  business.  The  $9.1  million  balance  of the  acquisition  cost  was
allocated to goodwill. (See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

Restructure and Other Costs.  1996 restructure costs are part of a $69.4 million
charge recorded in connection with the Company's decision to exit from the modem
chipset  business  and  the  associated  restructuring  of the  Company's  other
non-networking  product  operations.  All material aspects of the  restructuring
were  completed by the end of 1997 when the Company  recorded a recovery of $1.4
million from the reversal of the excess accrued restructure charge. (See Note 11
to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Year 2000 Computer Systems Issues. The Company is aware of the issues associated
with the limitations of the programming code in many existing  computer systems,
whereby  the  computer  systems  may  not  properly   recognize  date  sensitive
information as the next millennium (year 2000)  approaches.  Systems that do not
properly  recognize such  information  could generate  erroneous data or cause a
system to fail. The Company uses  commercially  available  standard software for
its critical operating and financial  applications.  One vendor of software used
by the Company is still  modifying  its code to become year 2000  compliant  and
anticipates completion early in 1998. If the vendor does not successfully modify
its code the Company could be forced to purchase a competing system that is year
2000 compliant and incur  installation  and other costs.  The  installation of a
replacement  system  for those  applications  that are  currently  not year 2000
compliant is not anticipated to be material to the Company's  financial position
or results of operations in any given year.

The Company's  suppliers and customers are generally  much larger  organizations
than the Company with a greater  number of suppliers and customers of their own.
The Company believes that many of its suppliers and customers have not completed
their  own  systems  modification  to be year 2000  compliant.  The  failure  of
significant  suppliers or customers of the Company to become year 2000 compliant
could have material  adverse  consequences  to the Company.  Those  consequences
could include the inability to receive  product in a timely manner or lost sales
opportunities  either  of  which  could  result  in a  material  decline  in the
Company's revenues and profits.

Interest Income, Net ($000,000)

                                     1997     Change    1996     Change    1995
                                     ----     ------    ----     ------    ----

Interest income (expense), net       $1.0       54%     $0.7      37%      $0.5

Percentage of net revenues            0.8%               0.4%               0.3%


Interest Income,  net.  Interest income increased in 1997 and 1996 due to higher
cash balances available to invest and earn interest.  Interest expense increased
in 1997 and 1996 due principally to increased debt associated with capital lease
obligations.

Gain on sale of SiTel  Sierra.  During the fourth  quarter of 1995,  the Company
sold its interest in SiTel-Sierra,  B.V. to National  Semiconductor  Corporation
for $7.0 million in cash.  This  transaction  resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.7
million. The Company acquired its shares of SiTel-Sierra,  B.V., a joint venture
with TriTech  Microelectronics  Pte. Ltd. of Singapore,  in 1994 in exchange for
the  contribution  of a license to certain  technology  owned by the Company and
certain assets of Sierra Semiconductor B.V, the Company's subsidiary.
<PAGE>

Provision  for Income  Taxes.  The 1997  income  tax  provision  reflects  taxes
provided for the  Company's  foreign  operations  which are primarily in Canada.
U.S.  taxes for 1997 were  eliminated by tax losses  realized from the Company's
1996  restructuring.  The  1996  income  tax  rate  reflects  the  effect  of  a
nondeductible  $7.8 million  charge for the purchase of in-process  research and
development relating to the Bit acquisition and taxes on foreign operations. The
1996 U.S. tax provision was reduced by the  utilization of net operating  losses
and tax credit  carry  forwards.  The 1996 modem  chipset  business  restructure
charge  of  $69.4  million  did  not  result  in a tax  benefit  because  of the
uncertainty  of future  U.S.  income  as  required  by  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 109. The 1995 income tax provision reflects the effect
of a nondeductible $10.6 million charge for the purchase price adjustment of the
Company's Canadian networking business

Discontinued Operations.  During the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company and its
Board of  Directors  reached a decision to offer  Prometheus  for sale and, as a
result,   it  was  reported  as  a  discontinued   operation  in  the  Company's
consolidated  financial statements.  The Company recorded a $17.9 million charge
to  discontinued  operations  to write down the  assets  and  accrue  additional
liabilities including a provision for future losses from operations.  The effort
to sell Prometheus was not successful and the Company has subsequently completed
the closure of Prometheus.  Hardware and technical  support functions related to
product warranty support on the installed base of products  previously sold were
carried  out in 1996 and 1997  with  costs  recorded  against  the  discontinued
operations provision established in 1995.

Liquidity and Capital  Resources.  The Company's cash and cash  equivalents  and
short term investments  increased from $42.1 million at the end of 1996 to $69.2
million  at the end of 1997.  During  1997 the  Company's  operating  activities
provided  $39.0 million in cash which  included  $34.3 million in net income and
$9.2 million in  depreciation  and  amortization  as well as the working capital
impact of  completing  the  restructuring.  Investing  activities  included $8.2
million in purchases of new plant and  equipment  during 1997 and proceeds  from
the  disposal  of  assets,  most of which  were  related  to the  non-networking
business,  of $7.6 million.  The Company increased its short term investments by
$34.3  million  during the year.  The Company  used a net $14.4  million in cash
during 1997 to decrease its debt and capital  lease  obligations.  Proceeds from
the issuance of common stock,  principally  under the Company's stock option and
purchase plans, totaled $6.2 million.

As at December 31, 1997, the Company's  principal sources of liquidity  included
cash and cash  equivalents and short-term  investments of $69.2 million.  In the
fourth  quarter of 1996, as a result of the  restructure  charge,  the Company's
line of credit  agreement with a bank was  renegotiated  to allow the Company to
borrow up to $10 million under the line of credit,  provided that each borrowing
is fully secured by cash.  There were no amounts  outstanding  under the line of
credit at the end of either 1996 or 1997.  The Company  cannot  sell,  transfer,
assign,  mortgage,  pledge,  lease, grant a security interest or encumber any of
its assets  without the bank's prior  written  consent.  The  completion  of the
restructuring  in the fourth  quarter of 1997 has resulted in the Company  being
able to  negotiate  with a number of banks to obtain a new line of  credit.  The
Company  expects  that a less  restrictive  line  will be  available  in 1998 to
replace the current line of credit which expires March 31, 1998.

The Company has wafer supply  agreements  with two  independent  foundries  that
together supply substantially all of the Company's products and include deposits
made to  secure  access  to wafer  fabrication  capacity.  One of  those  supply
agreements  was  amended  in the  fourth  quarter  of 1996  while  the other was
rewritten  in the  fourth  quarter of 1996 and  amended in the third  quarter of
1997.  At December 31, 1997 and 1996,  the Company had $27.1 million in deposits
with those foundries and was in compliance with its foundry agreements. Although
there are no minimum unit volume  requirements,  the Company is obligated  under
one of the foundry agreements to purchase in future periods a minimum percentage
of its total annual  wafer  requirements,  provided  that the foundry is able to
continue  to  offer  competitive  technology,  pricing,  quality  and  delivery.
Non-compliance  with the terms of the agreements may be cause for termination of
the  agreement by either  party.  The Company  purchased  $13.2 million from its
foundry  suppliers  during 1997 compared to $46.1  million  under  agreements in
existence  in 1996.  Those  amounts may or may not be  indicative  of any future
period since wafers are sold based on current  market  pricing and the Company's
volume requirements change in relation to sales of its products.

In each year, the Company is able to receive a portion of the deposits  provided
to the foundries based on the annual  purchases from those foundries as compared
to the target levels in the  agreements.  Based on 1997 purchases the Company is
expected to receive a $4.0 million refund from one of the foundries in the first
quarter of 1998.  If the Company  does not  receive the balance of its  deposits
back during the course of the agreements,  then the deposits will be returned to
the Company at the termination of the agreements.

The Company  believes that existing  sources of liquidity and anticipated  funds
from operations will satisfy the Company's projected working capital and capital
expenditure  requirements  through  the end of  1998.  The  Company  expects  to
purchase or arrange capital leases for  approximately $21 million of new capital
expenditures during 1998. In 1997 actual capital expenditures and capital leases
totaled $12  million.  No  additional  deposits to secure  foundry  capacity are
expected in 1998.

The  Company's  future  capital   requirements  will  depend  on  many  factors,
including,  among others,  product  development,  deposits for additional  wafer
fabrication capacity, and acquisitions of complementary businesses,  products or
technologies.  To the extent that  existing  resources  and funds  generated  by
future earnings are insufficient to fund the Company's  operations,  the Company
may need to raise  additional  funds  through  public or private  debt or equity
financing.  If  additional  funds are  raised  through  the  issuance  of equity
securities, the percentage ownership of current stockholders will be reduced and
such equity  securities  may have rights,  preferences  or privileges  senior to
those of the holders of the Company's  Common  Stock.  No assurance can be given
that  additional  financing  will be available or that, if available,  it can be
obtained on terms  favorable  to the Company and its  stockholders.  If adequate
funds  are not  available,  the  Company  may be  required  to  delay,  limit or
eliminate  some or all of its  proposed  operations  which could have a material
adverse impact on the Company.


Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Disclosures under this item are not required for the current fiscal year.


ITEM 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The chart  entitled  "Quarterly  Data  (Unaudited)"  contained in Item 6 Part II
hereof is hereby  incorporated  by reference into this Item 8 of Part II of this
Form 10-K.

<PAGE>

                               PMC-Sierra, Inc.

                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


Consolidated Financial Statements Included in Item 8:
                                                                            Page

Report of Deloitte & Touche, Independent Auditors......................      --

Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors......................      --

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996..............      --

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three
    years in the period ended December 31, 1997........................      --

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for each of
    the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997..............      --

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three
    years in the period ended December 31, 1997........................      --

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................      --


Schedules  for each of the three  years in the period  ended
December 31, 1997 included in Item 14 (d):

II  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..................................      --

Schedules  not listed above have been  omitted  because they
are not applicable or are not required,  or the  information
required  to  be  set  forth  therein  is  included  in  the
financial statements or the notes thereto.




<PAGE>


                Report of Deloitte & Touche, Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of PMC-Sierra, Inc.


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of PMC-Sierra,  Inc.
as of December 31, 1997 and the related  consolidated  statements of operations,
shareholders'  equity  and cash  flows for the year then  ended.  Our audit also
included the financial  statement  schedule for the year ended December 31, 1997
listed in the index at Item 14(a). These consolidated  financial  statements and
schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our
audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides 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 the
Company as at December 31, 1997,  and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the year then ended, in conformity with generally accepted  accounting
principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole,  presents  fairly in all  material  respects  the  information  set forth
therein.


                                        /s/ Deloitte & Touche


DELOITTE & TOUCHE
Vancouver, British Columbia
January 22, 1998


<PAGE>


                Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of PMC-Sierra, Inc.
(formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of PMC-Sierra,  Inc.
(formerly  Sierra  Semiconductor  Corporation)  as of December  31, 1996 and the
related consolidated  statements of operations,  shareholders'  equity, and cash
flows for each of the two years in the  period  ended  December  31,  1996.  Our
audits also included the  financial  statement  schedule  listed in the index at
Item 14(a).  These financial  statements and schedule are the  responsibility of
the Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedule 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
PMC-Sierra,  Inc. (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation) as of December 31,
1996 and the consolidated  results of its operations and its cash flows for each
of the two years in the period  ended  December  31, 1996,  in  conformity  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  Also, in our opinion,  the related
financial statement schedule, 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


ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Jose, California
January 22, 1997


<PAGE>


<TABLE>

                                           PMC-Sierra, Inc.
                             (Formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                            (in thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   December 31,
                                                                          ---------------------------
                                                                              1997             1996
<S>                                                                       <C>              <C>
ASSETS:
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                              $    27,906      $   35,038
   Short-term investments                                                      41,334           7,024
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
       accounts of $1,070 and $842 in 1997 and 1996, respectively
       (including $469 and $3,662 due from related parties in 1997
       and 1996, respectively, see Note 9)                                     15,103          13,907
   Inventories                                                                  3,199           9,232
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                    1,958           3,104
   Short-term deposits for wafer fabrication capacity                           4,000               -
                                                                           -----------     -----------
       Total current assets                                                    93,500          68,305

Property and equipment, net                                                    19,699          16,678
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated
    amortization of $3,668 ($2,305 in 1996)                                     8,635          10,188
Investments and other assets                                                    4,424           7,623
Deposits for wafer fabrication capacity                                        23,120          27,120
                                                                           -----------     -----------
                                                                           $  149,378      $  129,914
                                                                           ===========     ===========


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                                        $    7,421      $    9,648
   Accrued liabilities                                                         13,751           9,546
   Accrued income taxes                                                         8,780           4,050
   Accrued restructure costs                                                        -          16,754
   Current portion of obligations under capital leases and long-term debt       4,652           6,269
   Net liabilities of discontinued operations                                     301           1,600
                                                                           -----------     -----------
       Total current liabilities                                               34,905          47,867


Deferred income taxes                                                           4,023           2,741
Noncurrent obligations under capital leases and long-term debt                  9,092          18,368
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)                                              -               -
Special shares convertible into PMC common stock
    1,618 shares in 1997 (1,937 shares in 1996)                                10,793          12,494

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 5,000 shares authorized,                      -               -
       none outstanding
   Common stock, par value $0.001; 50,000 shares authorized;                       30         135,320
       29,750 issued and outstanding in 1997 (28,647 in 1996)
   Additional paid in captial                                                 143,153               -
   Accumulated deficit                                                        (52,618)        (86,876)
                                                                           -----------     -----------
       Total shareholders' equity                                              90,565          48,444
                                                                           -----------     -----------
                                                                           $  149,378      $  129,914
                                                                           ===========     ===========


See notes to consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                                                     PMC-Sierra, Inc.
                                        (Formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                       (in thousands, except for per share amounts)
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Year Ended December 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1997              1996              1995
<S>                                                          <C>                 <C>               <C>
Net revenues (1)                                             $   127,166         $   188,371       $  188,724
Cost of revenues                                                  33,065              94,948           97,110
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
      Gross profit                                                94,101              93,423           91,614

Other costs and expenses:
      Research and development                                    22,880              29,350           23,428
      Marketing, general and administrative                       23,663              30,691           30,051
      In process research and development                              -               7,783                -
      Purchase price adjustment - compensation                         -                   -           10,624
      Restructure and other costs                                 (1,383)             64,670                -
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
Income (loss) from operations                                     48,941             (39,071)          27,511
Interest income, net                                               1,044                 679              497
Gain on sale of SiTel Sierra                                           -                   -            6,700
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes                   49,985             (38,392)          34,708

Provision for income taxes                                        15,727               9,758           10,732
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations                          34,258             (48,150)          23,976
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
Loss from discontinued operations                                      -                  -            (4,591)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations                            -                  -           (17,906)
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
Loss from discontinued operations                                      -                  -           (22,497)
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
Net income (loss)                                            $    34,258         $   (48,150)      $    1,479
                                                             ============        ============      ===========



Basic net income (loss) per share:
    from continuing operations                               $      1.10         $     (1.62)      $     0.89
    from discontinued operations                                       -                   -            (0.83)
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
    Net income (loss)                                        $      1.10         $     (1.62)      $     0.06
                                                             ============        ============      ===========

Diluted net income (loss) per share:
    from continuing operations                               $      1.05         $     (1.62)      $     0.84
    from discontinued operations                                       -                   -            (0.79)
                                                             ------------        ------------      -----------
    Net income (loss)                                        $      1.05         $     (1.62)      $     0.05
                                                             ============        ============      ===========

Shares used to calculate:
    Basic net income (loss) per share                             31,043              29,719           27,018
    Diluted net income (loss) per share                           32,642              29,719           28,620



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>



(1) Including $9,221, $25,520 and $46,074 from related parties in 1997, 1996 and
    1995 respectively.  See Note 9.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                                            PMC-Sierra, Inc.
                                               (Formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                                             Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
                                                             (in thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                       Convertible
                                     Preferred Stock          Common Stock      Additional               Shareholders'     Total
                                   --------------------  --------------------     Paid in   Accumulated     Notes      Shareholders'
                                   Shares       Amount    Shares       Amount     Capital     Deficit     Receivable      Equity
<S>                                   <C>     <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>       <C>            <C>           <C>
Balances at December 31, 1994          11     $    234    20,913   $   74,897    $      -  $  (40,204)    $    (62)     $  34,865

Conversion of convertible
  preferred stock into
  common shares                       (11)        (235)       25          235           -           -            -              -
Issuance of common shares
  under stock benefit plans             -            -       793        3,520           -           -            -          3,520
Accretion of redeemable
  convertible preferred stock           -            1         -            -           -          (1)           -              -
Sale of common shares, net
  of issuance costs of $1,484           -            -     1,150       19,216           -           -            -         19,216
Conversion of special shares
  into common shares                    -            -     3,722       19,906           -           -            -         19,906
Tax benefit of stock option
  transactions                          -            -         -        1,984           -           -            -          1,984
Payment of shareholders' notes
  receivable                            -            -         -            -           -           -           30             30
Net income                              -            -         -            -           -       1,479            -          1,479
                                 ---------  -----------  --------  -----------  ---------- -----------   -----------   -----------
Balances at December 31, 1995           -            -    26,603      119,758           -     (38,726)         (32)        81,000

Issuance of common shares
  under stock benefit plans             -            -       604        3,072           -           -            -          3,072
Issuance of common stock to
 capitalize PMC-Portland and
 acquire assets of Bit, Inc.           -            -        804        6,788           -           -            -          6,788
Adjustment to prior year common
  stock issuance costs                  -            -         -           38           -           -            -             38
Conversion of special shares
  into common shares                    -            -       636        3,036           -           -            -          3,036
Tax benefit of stock option
  transactions                          -            -         -        2,628           -           -            -          2,628
Payment of shareholders' notes
  receivable                            -            -         -            -           -           -           32             32
Net loss                                -            -         -            -           -     (48,150)           -        (48,150)
                                 ---------  -----------  --------  -----------  ---------- -----------   -----------   -----------
Balances at December 31, 1996           -            -    28,647      135,320           -     (86,876)           -         48,444

Conversion of special shares
  into common shares                    -            -       319        6,162           -           -            -          6,162
Issuance of common shares
  under stock benefit plans             -            -       784        1,701           -           -            -          1,701
Reclassification on
  reincorporation                       -            -         -     (143,153)    143,153           -            -              -
Net income                              -            -         -            -           -      34,258            -         34,258
                                 ---------  -----------  --------  -----------  ---------- -----------   -----------   -----------
Balances at December 31, 1997           -     $      -    29,750   $       30   $ 143,153  $  (52,618)   $       -     $   90,565
                                 =========  ===========  ========  ===========  ========== ===========   ===========   ===========



See notes to consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                                                       PMC-Sierra, Inc.
                                         (Formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                                            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                      Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
                                                        (in thousands)

<CAPTION>

                                                                                            Year Ended December 31,
                                                                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  1997               1996             1995

<S>                                                                          <C>                <C>                <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income (loss)                                                        $    34,258        $    (48,150)      $    1,479
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization                                               9,150              10,922            8,888
       Loss on disposal of equipment                                                 258                   -                -
       Acquisition of in process technology and development
         from purchase of net assets of Bit, Inc.                                      -               7,783                -
       Compensation expense from purchase price adjustment
         of PMC-Sierra Ltd. acquisition                                                -                   -           10,624
       Loss on discontinued operations of Prometheus Products, Inc.                    -                   -           17,906
       Loss (recovery) related to restructure reserve (Note 11):
         Accounts receivable                                                           -               5,047                -
         Inventory                                                                 1,371              23,000                -
         Prepaid expenses                                                              -               1,061                -
         Impairment of long-lived assets                                            (942)             16,425                -
         Impairment of goodwill of Holland operations                                  -               2,459                -
         Accruals for restructure related costs:
            Severance and related costs                                              376               6,985                -
            Purchase commitments and other accruals                               (2,340)              9,002                -
            Excess facilities costs                                                 (496)              3,411                -
            Costs for closure of European subsidiaries                               648               1,980                -
       Changes in assets and liabilities
         Accounts receivable                                                      (1,196)             20,023          (16,855)
         Inventories                                                               4,662             (17,389)          (3,772)
         Prepaid expenses and other                                                1,146                (711)         (11,390)
         Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                  8,380             (15,109)          17,801
         Accrued restructuring costs                                             (14,942)             (4,624)               -
         Net assets/liabilities associated with discontinued operations           (1,299)             (2,496)          (4,733)
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
            Net cash provided by operating activities                             39,034              19,619           19,948
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
    Proceeds from sales/maturities of short-term investments                      24,877              15,984            3,188
    Purchases of short-term investments                                          (59,187)            (19,004)          (3,984)
    Investments in other companies                                                (3,000)             (3,162)          (1,430)
    Decrease in investments and other                                                  -                   -              150
    Purchase of Bit, Inc. assets, net of cash acquired                                 -                  71                -
    Proceeds from sale of equipment and capacity assets                            7,631                   -                -
    Purchases of plant and equipment                                              (8,221)             (4,000)         (10,909)
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
            Net cash used in investing activities                                (37,900)            (10,111)         (12,985)
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from payments of notes receivable                                         -                  32               30
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                           -                 353            2,592
    Repayment of notes payable and long-term debt                                 (2,640)            (17,588)          (1,794)
    Proceeds from sale/leaseback of captial equipment                              1,107                   -                -
    Principal payments under capital lease obligations                           (12,895)             (2,310)          (1,217)
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                         6,162               3,110           22,737
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
            Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                   (8,266)            (16,403)          22,348
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                              (7,132)            (6,895)          29,311
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year                                  35,038             41,933           12,622
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year                                  $     27,906       $     35,038     $     41,933
                                                                           ===================================================


See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                                            PMC SIERRA, INC.
                                              (Formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                                                  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                                                             (in thousands)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                Year Ended December 31,
                                                                                 --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           1997             1996            1995

<S>                                                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
    Cash paid for interest                                                          $     1,954      $     1,278      $      926
    Cash paid for income taxes                                                            7,227           11,820           1,851
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities:
    Conversion of convertible preferred stock into common stock                               -                -             235
    Capital lease obligations incurred for purchase of property and equipment             3,536           16,145           4,069
    Issuance of PMC special shares to be exchanged for common shares                          -                -          18,935
    Conversion of PMC special shares into common stock                                    1,701            3,036          19,906
    Short-term debt obligations incurred for wafer fabrication capital deposits               -                -          30,240
    Cancellation of short-term debt obligations incurred for
      wafer fabrication capacity                                                              -          (15,120)              -



During the years ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995,  the Company  retired
    assets with an original cost of $11,091, $10,377, and $2,851,  respectively,
    and  related  accumulated  depreciation  of  $10,270,  $9,858,  and  $2,839,
    respectively.


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


</TABLE>



<PAGE>


                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995



NOTE 1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Name Change and  Delaware  Reincorporation.  The  Company  changed its name from
Sierra  Semiconductor  Corporation  to  PMC-Sierra,  Inc.  on June 13,  1997 and
reincorporated in Delaware on July 10, 1997.

Basis  of  presentation.  The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements
include  the  accounts  of  PMC-Sierra,   Inc.  (formerly  Sierra  Semiconductor
Corporation)  ("the  Company" or "PMC") and its wholly owned  subsidiaries.  All
significant  inter-company  accounts and transactions  have been eliminated from
the  consolidated  financial  statements.  The Company's fiscal year ends on the
Sunday  closest to December 31. For ease of  presentation,  December 31 has been
utilized as the fiscal year end for all  financial  statement  captions.  Fiscal
years 1997, 1996 and 1995 each consisted of 52 weeks.

Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect reported amounts of assets,  liabilities,  revenues and
expenses  as of the dates and for the  periods  presented.  Actual  results  may
differ from those estimates.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.  Cash equivalents are defined
as  highly  liquid  debt  instruments  with  original   maturities  at  date  of
acquisition  of 90 days or less  that have  insignificant  interest  rate  risk.
Short-term  investments  are defined as money market  instruments  with original
maturities  greater than 90 days, but less than one year. The Company  maintains
its cash,  cash  equivalents  and short-term  investments  in various  financial
instruments  with  various  banks  and  investment  banking  institutions.   The
diversification  of risk is  consistent  with  Company  policy to  preserve  the
principal and maintain liquidity.

Under Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities" (SFAS 115), management classifies  investments as
available-for-sale  or held-to-maturity at the time of purchase and re-evaluates
such  designation  as of each  balance  sheet date.  Investments  classified  as
held-to-maturity  securities  are stated at  amortized  cost with  corresponding
premiums or discounts  amortized  against  interest  income over the life of the
investment.

Marketable  equity and debt  securities not classified as  held-to-maturity  are
classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains or
losses on available-for-sale securities have not been included in equity as such
amounts   are   immaterial.   Realized   gains   and   losses   judged   to   be
other-than-temporary  on available-for-sale  securities are included in interest
income.  The cost of  securities  sold is based on the  specific  identification
method.


<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




Investments at December 31, 1997 mature through February 1998 and are classified
as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Gross Unrealized
                                              Amortized    -------------------------- Estimated
                                                Cost          Gains        Losses     Fair Value
<S>                                            <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
Held-to-maturity investments
   Daily demand investments                    $  22,501     $       -    $        -    $  22,501
   Commercial paper                               44,345            66             -       44,411
                                             ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------
Total Investments                              $  66,846     $      66    $        -    $  66,912
                                             ============  ============ ============= ============

Total included in cash and cash equivalents    $  25,512     $       2    $        -    $  25,514
Total included in short-term investments          41,334            64             -       41,398
                                             ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------
Total Investments                              $  66,846     $      66    $        -    $  66,912
                                             ============  ============ ============= ============

</TABLE>


Investments  at  December  31,  1996  matured  through  February  1997  and were
classified as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Gross Unrealized
                                               Amortized   --------------------------  Estimated
                                                 Cost         Gains         Losses     Fair Value
<S>                                            <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
Held-to-maturity investments
   Banker's acceptances                        $   1,711     $       -    $        -    $   1,711
   Commercial paper                               21,470             2             -       21,472
                                             ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------
Total Investments                              $  23,181     $       2    $        -    $  23,183
                                             ============  ============ ============= ============

Total included in cash and cash equivalents    $  16,157     $       1    $        -    $  16,158
Total included in short-term investments           7,024             1             -        7,025
                                             ------------  ------------ ------------- ------------
Total Investments                              $  23,181     $       2    $        -    $  23,183
                                             ============  ============ ============= ============

</TABLE>

Proceeds from sales and realized gains or losses on sales of  available-for-sale
securities for all years presented were immaterial.

Inventories.  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in,  first out)
or market (estimated net realizable value).

The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):

                                                      December 31,
                                            ------------------------------
                                                 1997             1996

Work-in-progress                              $     2,316      $    3,335
Finished goods                                        883           5,897
                                            --------------    ------------
                                              $     3,199      $    9,232
                                            ==============    ============

Property and  equipment,  net.  Depreciation  and  amortization  of property and
equipment are provided on the  straight-line  method over the  estimated  useful
lives of the assets,  ranging from two to five years,  or the  applicable  lease
term,  whichever  is shorter.  The carrying  value of property and  equipment is
reviewed periodically for any permanent impairment in value.
<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




The components of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):


                                                     December 31,
                                             ------------------------------
                                                   1997            1996

Machinery and equipment                        $    31,353     $    39,854
Leasehold improvements                               2,006           1,117
Furniture and fixtures                               1,666           1,890
                                             --------------  --------------
Total cost                                          35,025          42,861
Accumulated depreciation                           (15,326)        (26,183)
                                             --------------  --------------
                                               $    19,699     $    16,678
                                             ==============  ==============


Goodwill and other intangible assets.  Goodwill  associated with acquisitions is
being amortized on a straight-line  basis over ten years and is carried at a net
book value of $7.0  million  and $7.9  million at  December  31,  1997 and 1996,
respectively.  Purchased  technology is being amortized on a straight-line basis
over seven years. Among other considerations,  to assess impairment, the Company
periodically  estimates  undiscounted  future cash flows to determine  that they
exceed the unamortized balance of the related intangible asset.

Deposits for wafer fabrication capacity. The Company has wafer supply agreements
with two  independent  foundries that together supply  substantially  all of the
Company's  products  and  include  deposits  made  to  secure  access  to  wafer
fabrication  capacity.  One of those supply agreements was amended in the fourth
quarter of 1996 while the other was rewritten in the fourth  quarter of 1996 and
amended in the third  quarter of 1997.  At December  31,  1997,  the Company had
$27.1  million in deposits with those  foundries and was in compliance  with its
foundry agreements.  Although there are no minimum unit volume requirements, the
Company is obligated  under one of the foundry  agreements to purchase in future
periods a minimum  percentage of its total annual wafer  requirements,  provided
that the foundry is able to continue to offer competitive  technology,  pricing,
quality and delivery.  Non-compliance  with the terms of the  agreements  may be
cause for  termination of the agreement by either party.  The Company  purchased
$13.2 million from its foundry  suppliers  during 1997 compared to $46.1 million
under  agreements  in  existence  in  1996.  Those  amounts  may or  may  not be
indicative  of any future  period since wafers are sold based on current  market
pricing and the Company's volume requirements change in relation to sales of its
products.

In each year, the Company is able to receive a portion of the deposits  provided
to the foundries based on the annual  purchases from those foundries as compared
to the target levels in the  agreements.  Based on 1997  purchases,  the Company
expects to receive a $4.0 million  refund from one of the foundries in the first
quarter of 1998.  If the Company  does not  receive the balance of its  deposits
back during the course of the agreements,  then the deposits will be returned to
the Company at the termination of the agreements.


<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995



Accrued  liabilities.  The components of accrued  liabilities are as follows (in
thousands):

                                                        December 31,
                                               ------------------------------
                                                    1997            1996

Accrued compensation and benefits                $     4,590     $     3,846
Accrued royalties                                        521           1,628
Other accrued liabilities                              8,640           4,072
                                               --------------  --------------
                                                $     13,751    $      9,546
                                               ==============  ==============


Foreign currency translation. For all foreign operations, the U.S. dollar is the
functional  currency.  Assets and  liabilities  are  remeasured  at the year-end
exchange rates.  Statements of operations are remeasured at the average exchange
rates during the year. Gains and losses from foreign currency  remeasurement are
included in interest income and other, net.

The Company may enter into foreign currency forward exchange  contracts (forward
contracts) to reduce the impact of currency  fluctuations  on monetary asset and
liability positions of its foreign subsidiaries.  At December 31, 1997 and 1996,
the Company had no outstanding forward contracts.

Concentration  of credit risk. The Company  believes that the  concentration  of
credit  risk  in its  trade  receivables  with  respect  to the  high-technology
industry is substantially  mitigated by the Company's credit evaluation process,
large  number  of  customers,   relatively  short  collection   terms,  and  the
geographical  dispersion  of  sales.  The  Company  generally  does not  require
collateral.

Revenue  recognition.  Net revenues are stated net of discounts and  allowances.
Revenue is  recognized  at the time of shipment to the  customer.  In  addition,
reserves  are  provided  currently  for  estimated  product  returns  and  price
protection that may occur under Company programs. At December 31, 1997 and 1996,
this  reserve  was  approximately  $2  million.  In  conjunction  with  the 1996
restructure  reserve,  the Company accrued $5 million which included a provision
for price  protection  and product  returns.  Such reserves were not material at
December 31, 1995.

Interest income,  net. The components of interest income, net are as follows (in
thousands):


                                    Year Ended December 31,
                         -----------------------------------------------
                                 1997            1996            1995

Interest income            $      3,146    $      1,840    $      1,244
Interest expense                 (1,949)         (1,278)           (892)
Other                              (153)            117             145
                         ---------------  --------------  --------------
                           $      1,044    $        679    $        497
                         ===============  ==============  ==============


Net income (loss) per common share.  In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting
Standards  Board  issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.128,
"Earnings per Share" (SFAS 128),  which  established new standards for computing
and  presenting  earnings  per share  effective  for fiscal  years  ending after
December  15,  1997.  With SFAS 128,  primary  earnings per share is replaced by
basic  earnings  per share which is computed by  dividing  income  available  to
common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the
period. In addition,  SFAS 128 requires the presentation of diluted earnings per
share which  includes the  potential  dilution  that could occur if common stock
equivalents or other potentially dilutive securities were exercised or converted
into  common  stock.  Common  stock  equivalent  shares  are  excluded  from the
computation if their effect is anti-dilutive,  except pursuant to the Securities
and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins.  The PMC-Sierra Ltd. Special
Shares have been  included  in the  calculation  of basic net income  (loss) per
share.

<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995





Income  Taxes.  Taxes are  reported  under  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 109 and,  accordingly,  deferred income taxes are recognized using
the  liability  method,  whereby tax rates are applied to  cumulative  temporary
differences  based on when and how they are  expected  to affect the tax return.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for tax rate changes.

Stock  Compensation.   Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  123
"Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,"  (SFAS 123) permits,  but does not
require,  companies to recognize  compensation  expense for stock-based employee
compensation  plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account
for  stock-based  compensation  using the intrinsic  value method  prescribed in
Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock Issued to
Employees," and related interpretations.  Accordingly,  compensation expense for
stock  options  granted to employees  is measured as the excess,  if any, of the
quoted  market  price  of the  Company's  stock  at the  date  of the  grant  or
modification over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.

As  prescribed  by SFAS 123,  Note 7 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
contains a summary of the  proforma  effects to reported net income and earnings
per  share for  1997,  1996 and  1995,  had the  Company  elected  to  recognize
compensation expense based on the fair value of the options granted at the grant
date. The effects of applying SFAS 123 proforma disclosures may not be likely to
be representative of the effects on reported net income for future years.


NOTE 2. Acquisitions, Divestitures and Investments in Other Companies

Bipolar Integrated Technology, Inc.
During the third quarter of 1996,  the Company  acquired the ethernet  switching
assets,  intellectual  property,  and certain other assets of Bipolar Integrated
Technology,  Inc.  ("Bit") in exchange  for shares of PMC common stock and other
consideration.  The aggregate value of this transaction was  approximately  $8.1
million, which includes acquisition costs incurred by the Company. The assets of
Bit were  acquired in exchange  for  804,407  shares of PMC common  stock with a
value of  approximately  $6.8 million (based on the market value on the issuance
date  of  PMC  common  stock  issued  subject  to   restrictions  on  transfer),
approximately  $0.5  million  of  net  liabilities   assumed  by  the  Company's
subsidiary,  the value of  options  to  purchase  common  stock of the  Company,
forgiveness  of  principal  and interest on loans  provided by the Company,  and
cash.  The  acquisition  resulted in a $7.8  million  charge for the purchase of
in-process  research and  development.  The remaining $0.3 million of technology
assets have been  capitalized  as long term assets which will be amortized  over
seven  years.  Results  of  operations  include  the  costs  of  continuing  the
development  of products  and  related  activities  acquired  from Bit after the
closure  of the  acquisition  on  September  3,  1996.  The  proforma  effect of
combining the Bit transaction with the Company's operations in 1995 and prior to
the  acquisition  in 1996  are not  reported  separately  because  they  are not
considered to be material.

I.C. Works, Inc.
In order to secure additional access to wafer fabrication  capacity, in 1996 the
Company  acquired $3 million of preferred  stock of I.C. Works Inc.  ("ICW"),  a
foundry located in San Jose,  California.  Under the  arrangement  with ICW, the
Company also provided  semiconductor  manufacturing  equipment to ICW,  which it
financed  through capital leases.  In 1996, as a result of the  restructuring of
non-networking  operations,  the Company identified that it would not be able to
benefit from the arrangement with ICW and included a $6.9 million  provision for
impairment of these assets in the restructuring charge.

In 1997, the Company advanced an additional $3 million to ICW and  subsequently,
ICW sold  substantially all of its assets,  including the  manufacturing  assets
contributed  by the Company.  On  settlement  of its  arrangement  with ICW, the
Company received  proceeds of $4.8 million,  resulting in the requirement for an
additional  provision for impairment of $3.5 million.  This additional provision
was included in the overall  recovery  from  disposal of excess fixed assets and
assets  related to capacity  commitments  of $942,000  (see note 11) recorded on
completion of the restructuring.
<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




SiTel Sierra B.V.
During the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company sold its interest in SiTel-Sierra
B.V.  to  National  Semiconductor  Corporation.  Proceeds  from the sale of this
investment of $7 million in cash were received during the first quarter of 1996.
This transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.7 million.

Sierra Wireless, Inc.
On July 7, 1993, the Company and MPR Teltech Ltd.  ("MPR") of British  Columbia,
Canada  announced an  investment in a new company  called  Sierra  Wireless Inc.
(Sierra Wireless).  MPR contributed  technology  licenses in exchange for Sierra
Wireless's   non-voting   preferred   stock.  In  1993,  the  Company   invested
approximately  $2.5 million of cash in exchange for shares of Sierra  Wireless's
non-voting  preferred  stock.  This initial  investment  was expensed in 1993 as
Sierra Wireless was still in its development stage. In 1996, 1995, and 1994, the
Company  invested an  additional  approximately  $0.2,  $1.4,  and $2.5 million,
respectively,  in Sierra  Wireless.  These  investments were capitalized and are
being  accounted  for as an  investment  in equity  shares  recorded on the cost
basis,  since Sierra Wireless is now an operating  company.  Sierra Wireless has
developed and is marketing  portable computer modems and modem sub-systems built
to Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) performance specifications.

Prometheus Products, Inc.
Prometheus  Products,  Inc.  ("Prometheus") was acquired in 1994 in exchange for
the  elimination  of accounts  receivable  owed by Prometheus to the Company,  a
guaranteed  cash  payment to the  shareholders  of  Prometheus  and future  cash
payments  contingent upon future sales and profits for Prometheus.  In 1995, the
Company  decided  to  dispose  of  Prometheus  and  in  1997,  the  Company  has
substantially completed the wind-up (See Note 3).

PMC-Sierra
On September 2, 1994, the Company  acquired  voting control of PMC-Sierra,  Ltd.
(formerly PMC-Sierra,  Inc.) ("LTD") of Burnaby,  British Columbia,  Canada. LTD
supplies  broadband  transmission  and  networking  chip set  products  for ATM,
SONET/SDH  and  T1/E1  applications.  LTD was  established  in July  1992 by the
Company, which invested approximately $4.9 million of cash in exchange for LTD's
non-voting preferred stock representing approximately 61% of LTD's securities on
a  fully  diluted  basis;  MPR  Teltech  Ltd.,  a  Canadian   corporation  which
contributed assets and technology licenses in exchange for non-voting  preferred
stock; a venture capital investor,  which purchased  non-voting  preferred stock
for cash; and LTD's employees, who purchased voting common stock.

The Company acquired voting control of LTD through a recapitalization of LTD. In
the  recapitalization,  the Company exchanged its LTD non-voting preferred stock
for LTD's voting Ordinary A Shares and LTD's other shareholders  exchanged their
preferred  stock and common stock for LTD A Special  Shares.  Each LTD A Special
Share is  currently  convertible  at the  holder's  option for two shares of the
Company's  Common Stock.  The Company  reserved  5,000,000  shares of its Common
Stock for issuance in connection with requests to redeem LTD Special Shares then
outstanding or issuable upon exercise. The acquisition of voting control through
LTD's  recapitalization  was accounted for as a purchase of the interests of the
other shareholders in LTD.

Under the terms of the recapitalization  agreement, in the third quarter of 1995
the Company adjusted the 1994 purchase price paid to the other LTD shareholders.
Accordingly, the minority shareholders received additional consideration through
the right to acquire an additional  1,294,722 shares of Common Stock in exchange
for LTD B Special  Shares.  The  issuance of these  shares is  reflected  in the
Company's  accompanying  financial  statements as a special  charge to income of
$10.6  million  relating  to  compensation  expense in 1995 and an  increase  in
goodwill of $9.1 million.


<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995



The Special  Shares of LTD will be classified  outside of  shareholders'  equity
until such shares are exchanged for PMC Common Stock.

Before the recapitalization, the Company held only non-voting preferred stock in
LTD, and accordingly  LTD's assets,  liabilities and operating  results were not
consolidated with those of the Company.  From the date of the  recapitalization,
LTD's  balance  sheet  and  operating  results  have  been  consolidated  in the
Company's financial statements.


NOTE 3. Discontinued Operations

On December 28, 1995, the Company's  Board of Directors  approved a plan to sell
or discontinue the operations of Prometheus. The Company purchased Prometheus in
the third  quarter of 1994,  and has  operated it as a separate  business  unit.
Accordingly,  Prometheus  has been treated as a  discontinued  operation and the
Company's  results of continuing  operations  have been  reclassified  to remove
Prometheus' previously reported results. Revenues of Prometheus were $19,018,000
in 1995. The loss from  discontinued  operations for the year ended December 31,
1995 is net of an income tax benefit of $742,000.  The components of net current
liabilities (in 000's) of discontinued  operations at December 31, 1997 and 1996
are detailed in the table below.

                                                               December 31,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                            1997         1996

Accrued liabilities                                     $     (301)  $    (753)
Guaranteed royalties                                             -        (847)
                                                        ----------- -----------
Net current liabilities of discontinued operations      $     (301)  $  (1,600)
                                                        =========== ===========

The Company  contracted with an investment  banking firm in the first quarter of
1996 to engage in efforts to sell Prometheus.  The effort to sell Prometheus did
not result in a sale and the Company  ceased most of its operations in 1996. All
costs and operating  results of Prometheus  for 1997 and 1996 have been recorded
against the  provision for  discontinued  operations  established  in the fourth
quarter of 1995.


NOTE 4.  Line of Credit

At December 31, 1997,  the Company had available a revolving line of credit with
a bank under which the Company may borrow up to $10 million with interest at the
bank's  certificate of deposit rate plus 3% (annual rate of 8.0% at December 31,
1997). Drawings on the line require a 100% pledge of certificates of deposit. At
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, there were no amounts outstanding under
the line of credit. The revolving line of credit expires on March 31, 1998.


NOTE 5. Obligations Under Capital Leases and Long Term Debt

The Company leases furniture and equipment under long-term capital leases, which
have been accounted for as installment purchases. Accordingly, capitalized costs
of approximately $19,965,000 and $22,737,000, respectively, at December 31, 1997
and  1996  and  accumulated   amortization  of  approximately   $10,774,000  and
$4,710,000, respectively, are included in property and equipment.


<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995



Future  minimum lease  payments at December 31, 1997 under capital leases are as
follows (in thousands):


Year ended December 31 :
   1998                                                      $      5,484
   1999                                                             4,194
   2000                                                             3,378
   2001                                                             1,163
   2002                                                                 -
                                                            --------------
Total minimum lease payments                                       14,219
Less amount representing interest                                  (1,281)
                                                            --------------
Present value of future net minimum lease payments           $     12,938
                                                            ==============

Long-term  debt  and  obligations  under  capital  leases  are  as  follows  (in
thousands):


                                                               December 31,
                                                          ----------------------
                                                            1997         1996

Obligations under capital leases with interest ranging
from 7.71% to 21.48%                                       $ 12,938    $ 19,347

Secured equipment loans, payable in 48 monthly
installments with interest ranging from 7.71% to 9.23%            -       3,567

Various unsecured notes, payable in various
installments with interest rates ranging from 0% to 9%          806       1,004

Bank term debt, payable in 37 monthly installments
commencing on December 1, 1994, interest rate at prime
+ 1.75% (10% per annum at December 31, 1996)                      -         719
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                             13,744      24,637
Less current portion                                         (4,652)     (6,269)
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                           $  9,092    $ 18,368
                                                          ==========  ==========




<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




Maturities  of  unsecured  notes  at  December  31,  1997  are  as  follows  (in
thousands):


Year ended December 31:
     1998                                           $       101
     1999                                                   101
     2000                                                   101
     2001                                                   101
     2002                                                   101
     Thereafter                                             301
                                                  --------------
                                                    $       806
                                                  ==============


Fair value of financial instruments.  The estimated fair value amounts have been
determined by the Company using  available  market  information  and appropriate
valuation   methodologies.   However,   considerable  judgment  is  required  in
interpreting  market data to develop the  estimates of fair value.  Accordingly,
the estimates  presented  herein are not  necessarily  indicative of the amounts
that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.

The aggregate fair value of the Company's  long-term debt and obligations  under
capital leases at December 31, 1997 and 1996 approximates their carrying value.


NOTE 6. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating  leases.  The Company  leases its  facilities  under  operating  lease
agreements, which expire at various dates through April 2006. Total rent expense
for the years ended  December 31, 1997,  1996,  and 1995 was $1.3 million,  $2.1
million, and $2.3 million, respectively.

Minimum rental commitments under these leases are as follows:

Year ended December 31:
    1998                                          $     1,365
    1999                                                1,328
    2000                                                1,129
    2001                                                1,125
    2002                                                1,080
    Thereafter                                          3,350
                                                --------------
                                                  $     9,377
                                                ==============

Supply agreements.  The Company's supply agreement with Chartered  Semiconductor
("Chartered")  expires on November 17, 1999,  but certain  provisions  have been
superceded by a wafer capacity  agreement which expires in December 2000 whereby
Chartered  is obligated  to supply the Company  with a  predetermined  number of
wafers per quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor  Manufacturing  Corporation ("TSMC") is
obligated to provide  certain  quantities  of wafers per year under an agreement
which  terminates on December 31, 2000.  Neither of the agreements  have minimum
unit  volume  requirements  but  the  Company  is  obligated  under  one  of the
agreements  to  purchase  in future  periods a minimum  percentage  of its total
annual  wafer  requirements,  provided  that the  foundry is able to continue to
offer competitive technology, pricing, quality and delivery.

Contingencies.  In the normal course of business, the Company receives and makes
inquiries with regard to possible patent  infringement.  Where deemed advisable,
the Company may seek or extend  licenses or negotiate  settlements.  Outcomes of
such  negotiations  may not be  determinable  at any  point  in  time;  however,
management does not believe that such licenses or settlements will, individually
or in the aggregate,  have a material adverse effect on the Company's  financial
position, results of operations or liquidity.


<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995



Risks and  Uncertainties.  Technological  change - the markets for the Company's
products are characterized by evolving industry  standards,  rapid technological
change and product obsolescence. The carrying value of the Company's products in
inventory  may be  materially  impaired in the future should these changes occur
more  quickly  than the Company  anticipated.  Wafer  capacity  agreements  - as
discussed  above,  the Company has entered  into  various  agreements  to secure
future wafer  capacity.  Should the Company need more  capacity or if there is a
decline in demand for the Company's  products thereby reducing the need for this
contracted  capacity,  estimates related to the carrying value of deposits could
materially change.


NOTE 7.  Shareholders' Equity

Authorized.  On July 10, 1997, the Company was reincorporated  into the State of
Delaware from the State of California. Prior to the reincorporation, the Company
had authorized capital of 55,405,916 shares, 50,000,000 of which were designated
"Common  Stock",  5,000,000  of which were  designated  "Preferred  Stock",  and
405,916 of which were  designated  "Series D Preferred  Stock".  All  authorized
shares  had  no  par  value.  After  the  reincorporation,  the  Company  had an
authorized  capital of 55,000,000  shares,  50,000,000 of which were  designated
"Common  Stock",  $0.001  par  value,  and  5,000,000  of which  are  designated
"Preferred  Stock",  $0.001 par value.  The  excess of the  amount  recorded  as
capital  stock over the par value of capital stock on  reincorporation  has been
recorded as  additional  paid in capital at December  31,  1997.  The issued and
outstanding shares immediately before and after the reincorporation remained the
same. The reincorporation  included no other significant changes with respect to
shares outstanding,  reserved shares and various applicable options,  rights and
warrants.

Common Stock. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company maintained a reserve of
1,618,000 and 1,937,000  shares,  respectively,  of common stock to be issued to
holders of LTD Special  Shares and options to purchase LTD Special  Shares.  The
holders of the Special Shares have the right to exchange one A Special Share for
two shares of the Company's  common  stock,  and one B Special Share for 0.54612
share of the Company's common stock. Upon exchange,  amounts will be transferred
from  the LTD  Special  Shares  account  to the  Company's  common  stock on the
consolidated balance sheet.

During 1996,  the Company  issued a warrant to purchase  25,000 shares of common
stock at $9.25  per  share  to an  investment  banking  firm in  settlement  for
services previously expensed. The warrant expires in August 2000.

The Company has adopted a 1987 Incentive Stock Plan, a 1994 Incentive Stock Plan
and its wholly owned subsidiary,  PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Portland) has adopted a 1996
Stock Option Plan covering  grants of options to purchase the  Company's  Common
Stock (the "Plans").  Under the Plans, Incentive Stock Options may be granted to
employees and Non Statutory  Options may be granted to employees,  directors and
consultants,  to purchase shares of the Company's  Common Stock at not less than
100% and 85%, respectively,  of the fair value of the stock on the date granted.
The options generally expire within five to ten years and vest over four years.



<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995





Option activity under the option plans was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Weighted Average
                                                Options Available         Number of       Exercise Price
                                                   For Issuance             Shares           Per Share

<S>                                                   <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1994                      1,250,852            2,514,304           $4.41
    Authorized                                        1,600,000                    -               -
    Granted  (weighted  average fair value of
       $5.99 per share)                              (1,094,800)           1,094,800          $14.16
    Exercised                                                 -             (588,742)          $4.56
    Expired                                            (809,038)                   -               -
    Canceled                                            305,211             (305,211)          $6.21
                                                     -----------          -----------

Outstanding  at December 31, 1995
    (1,037,181 options exercisable at a
    weighted average price of $5.43).                 1,252,225            2,715,151           $8.13
    Authorized                                        1,250,000                    -               -
    Granted  (weighted  average fair value of
       $6.79 per share)                              (1,403,574)           1,403,574          $14.11
    Exercised                                                 -             (503,825)          $4.74
    Expired                                             (85,980)                   -               -
    Canceled                                            515,878             (515,878)         $12.73
                                                     -----------          -----------

Outstanding  at December 31, 1996
    (1,252,874 options exercisable at a
    weighted average price of $7.44)                  1,528,549            3,099,022          $10.63
    Authorized                                          500,000                    -               -
    Granted  (weighted  average fair value of
       $7.97 per share)                              (1,426,450)           1,426,450          $17.48
    Exercised                                                 -             (693,450)          $7.22
    Expired                                             (36,112)                   -               -
    Canceled                                            484,216             (484,216)         $14.96
                                                     -----------          -----------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997                      1,050,203            3,347,806          $13.62
                                                     ===========          ===========

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995



The following table summarizes  information  concerning options  outstanding for
the combined option plans at December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                       Options Outstanding                       Options Exercisable
                       -----------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
                                          Weighted
                                           Average         Weighted                         Weighted
                                          Remaining        Average                          Average
 Range of Exercise         Number        Contractual       Exercise           Number        Exercise
       Prices            Outstanding        Life            Price          Exercisable       Price
       ------            -----------     -----------      ---------        -----------      --------
<C>      <C>                <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>
$ 0.89 - $ 5.88             618,808          5.92           $ 4.30           596,952         $ 4.33
$ 8.63 - $12.00             629,775          8.25           $10.16           389,076         $ 9.94
$12.13 - $14.25             520,813          9.05           $14.08             6,611         $12.78
$14.38 - $21.25           1,283,264          8.62           $16.22           312,902         $16.92
$22.25 - $32.75             295,146          9.41           $28.36            18,632         $24.55
                        ------------                                      -----------
$ 0.89 - $32.75           3,347,806          8.19           $13.62         1,324,173         $ 9.28
                        ============                                      ===========

</TABLE>

Employee  Stock  Purchase Plan In 1991,  the Company  adopted an Employee  Stock
Purchase Plan (ESPP) under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and reserved
1,060,000  shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan.  Under this Plan,
qualified  employees  may  authorize  payroll  deductions  of up to 10% of their
compensation  (as defined) to purchase  common stock at 85% of the lower of fair
market value at the beginning or end of the related subscription period.  During
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, there were 105,149, 79,863 and 164,126 shares
issued under the Plan at weighted-average  prices of $10.40, $8.38 and $3.99 per
share.  The  weighted-average  fair value of the 1997,  1996 and 1995 awards was
$6.96, $3.78 and $1.47 per share,  respectively.  As of December 31, 1997, there
were 145,054  shares of common stock  available for issuance  under the purchase
plan.

Stock-based  compensation  In  accordance  with the  provisions of SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), the Company applies APB
Opinion 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based awards.
Accordingly,  the Company does not generally recognize  compensation expense for
employee stock arrangements, which are granted with exercise prices equal to the
fair market value at the date of grant.

Proforma information regarding net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share
is required by SFAS 123 for awards  granted or modified  after December 31, 1994
as if the Company had accounted for its  stock-based  awards to employees  under
the fair value method of SFAS 123. The fair value of the  Company's  stock-based
awards to employees was estimated  using a  Black-Scholes  option pricing model.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions  and are fully
transferable.  In addition, the Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly
subjective  assumptions  including the expected stock price volatility.  Because
the Company's stock-based awards to employees have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded  options,  and because  changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion,  the  existing  models do not  necessarily  provide a  reliable  single
measure of the fair value of its stock-based awards to employees. The fair value
of the  Company's  stock-based  awards  to  employees  was  estimated  using the
multiple option  approach,  recognizing  forfeitures as they occur,  assuming no
expected dividends and using the following weighted average assumptions:



<PAGE>

                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995





                                     Options                      ESPP
                           --------------------------  -------------------------
                            1997     1996     1995       1997     1996    1995
                            ----     ----     ----       ----     ----    ----
Expected life (years)        2.6      2.2      2.5        1.4     0.5     0.5
Expected volatility          0.7      0.8      0.6        0.8     0.8     0.6
Risk-free interest rate      6.0%     5.7%     6.5%       5.9%    5.3%    5.9%

If the computed fair values of 1997,  1996 and 1995 awards had been amortized to
expense  over the vesting  period of the awards as  prescribed  by SFAS 123, net
income (loss) and net income (loss) per share would have been:

(in thousands except per share amounts):
                                             1997           1996         1995
                                             ----           ----         ----
Net income (loss)                        $  29,639     $  (54,006)     $    89
Basic net income (loss) per share        $    0.95     $    (1.82)     $     -
Diluted net income (loss) per share      $    0.92     $    (1.82)     $     -

The proforma  disclosures  above  include the effect of SFAS 128 relating to the
calculation of earnings per share and Technical  Bulletin 97-1,  which clarified
the application of SFAS 123 to the estimation of fair value of awards under ESPP
plans with a multiple year look-back feature.

Because SFAS 123 is applicable only to awards granted or modified  subsequent to
December 31, 1994,  the pro forma effect is not  indicative  of future  proforma
adjustments, when the calculation will apply to all applicable stock options.


NOTE 8.  Income Taxes

The income tax provisions,  calculated  under Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standard No. 109 ("SFAS 109") consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
                                                                   --------------------------------------------
                                                                          1997           1996           1995

<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>            <C>
Current:
  Federal                                                           $    (1,289)    $     2,109    $     3,167
  State                                                                       -              42            315
  Foreign                                                                13,934           8,844          5,621
                                                                   --------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                         12,645          10,995          9,103
Deferred:
  Federal                                                                 1,671         (1,799)             -
  Foreign                                                                 1,411            562            887
                                                                   --------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                          3,082         (1,237)           887

Provision for income taxes                                               15,727          9,758          9,990
Benefit allocated to loss from discontinued operations                        -              -            742
                                                                   --------------  -------------  -------------
Provision attributable to continuing operations                     $    15,727     $    9,758    $    10,732
                                                                   ==============  =============  =============

</TABLE>

1997 deferred tax assets include a tax benefit of $2,097,000 related to employee
stock option benefits which, when benefited, will reduce current tax liabilities
and be credited to common stock.  Actual 1996 current tax liabilities  have been
decreased by $2,628,000 due to employee stock option related tax benefits, which
were credited to common stock.

A reconciliation between the Company's effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory
rate (35% in 1997, 1996 and 1995) is as follows (in thousands):
<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                       -----------------------------------------------
                                                               1997           1996            1995

<S>                                                      <C>               <C>            <C>
Tax at U.S. Federal statutory rate                       $    17,495       $  (14,522)    $    12,148
Net operating losses (utilized) not utilized                  (4,508)          11,257          (7,079)
In-process research and development costs
  relating to Bit acquisition                                      -            2,724               -
Non-deductible charges arising from acquisition
  of PMC-Sierra, Ltd.                                              -                -           3,710
Incremental taxes on foreign earnings                          2,258            9,406           1,988
Other                                                            482              893             (35)
                                                       --------------  --------------- ---------------
Provision for income taxes                               $    15,727      $     9,758     $    10,732
                                                       ==============  =============== ===============

</TABLE>

Pretax  income  (loss)  from  foreign   operations  was   $37,391,000  in  1997,
$23,044,000 in 1996 and $14,298,000 in 1995.

At December 31, 1997, the Company has federal  foreign tax credits of $1,002,000
that expire in 1999 and 2000,  if not  utilized.  The  Company  has  $57,478,000
(including  $6,409,000  from Bit) of federal net  operating  losses  which  will
expire by the year 2012.  Utilization of the Bit net operating losses is subject
to substantial  limitation due to ownership change  limitations  provided by the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986.  The Company has state  research and  investment
credit carryforwards of $1,881,000 that expire beginning in 2002.

Significant  components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are
as follows (in thousands):

                                                       December 31,
                                              ------------------------------
                                                    1997            1996
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards              $    21,206     $     2,416
  Credit carryforwards                                2,436           2,436
  Inventory valuation                                   229           4,638
  Restructuring and other charges                     5,984          27,662
  Employee stock option benefits                      2,097               -
                                              --------------  --------------
  Total deferred tax assets                          31,952          37,152
  Valuation allowance                               (31,952)        (35,353)
                                              --------------  --------------
 Total net deferred tax assets                            -           1,799
                                              --------------  --------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Depreciation                                       (3,554)         (2,143)
  Capitalized technology                               (469)           (598)
                                              --------------  --------------
  Total deferred tax liabilities                     (4,023)         (2,741)
                                              --------------  --------------
Total net deferred taxes                        $    (4,023)    $      (942)
                                              ==============  ==============


During 1997, the valuation allowance decreased by approximately  $3,401,000 as a
result of  utilization  of net  operating  losses.  During 1996,  the  valuation
allowance increased by approximately $26,424,000.

<PAGE>


NOTE 9.  Related Parties

The Company sold $4,730,000,  $18,936,000,  and $46,074,000 of products in 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively, to Apple Computer ("Apple"), a company who's former
officer is a director of the Company.  Outstanding amounts receivable from Apple
were $425,000 and $1,733,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




The Company also sold $2,555,000 and $6,584,000 of products in 1997 and 1996, to
Cisco Systems,  Inc. ("Cisco"),  a company who's former officer is a director of
the  Company.  Outstanding  accounts  receivable  from  Cisco were  $14,185  and
$1,929,000 as at December 31, 1997 and 1996 respectively.

During 1997, a former officer of Northern Telecom Limited ("Nortel") joined as a
director of the Company.  The Company sold  $1,936,000  of products to Nortel in
1997 and outstanding accounts receivable from Nortel were $30,300 as at December
31, 1997.


NOTE 10.  Segment Information

The  Company  operates  in one  industry  segment,  which  is  the  development,
production and sale of high performance semiconductor solutions for the advanced
communications markets.

The Company  markets  products  internationally.  The following table presents a
summary of sales by geographical region.


                                        Year ended December 31,
                             ----------------------------------------------
                                  1997           1996            1995

North America                  $    101,744    $   105,310     $   126,314
Europe and Middle East               11,430         23,684          23,877
Asia                                 13,693         59,377          38,533
Other                                   299              -               -
                             --------------- --------------  --------------
                               $    127,166    $   188,371     $   188,724
                             =============== ==============  ==============

SCI Systems,  Inc. an electronic  manufacturing service provider for a number of
user interface and networking end customers,  accounted for 18% of the Company's
1997 sales and less than 10% for 1996 and 1995. In 1997, 1996 and 1995, sales of
user  interface  products  to  Apple  Computer  accounted  for 4%,  10% and 24%,
respectively, of the Company's net revenues.


<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995





The  Company  conducts  operations  in  the  United  States,  Canada  and  other
geographical  segments.   Net  revenues,   income  (loss)  from  operations  and
identifiable  assets  applicable to  operations  by geographic  segments were as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Year ended December 31,
                                              ----------------------------------------------
                                                   1997           1996            1995

<S>                                             <C>             <C>             <C>
Net revenues:
    United States                               $     41,654    $   125,493     $   149,326
    Canada                                            85,512         62,878          39,398
                                              --------------- --------------  --------------
    Total net revenues                          $    127,166    $   188,371     $   188,724
                                              =============== ==============  ==============

Income (loss) from operations:
    United States                               $      8,388    $   (63,976)    $    10,382
    Canada                                            40,553         24,905          17,129
                                              --------------- --------------  --------------
    Total income (loss) from operations         $     48,941    $   (39,071)    $    27,511
                                              =============== ==============  ==============

Identifiable assets:
    United States                               $     41,962    $    53,989
    Canada                                            93,904         57,510
    Other                                             13,512         18,415
                                              --------------- --------------
    Total assets                                $    149,378    $   129,914
                                              =============== ==============



</TABLE>


NOTE 11. Restructuring

On September 29, 1996, the Company recorded charges of $69,370,000 in connection
with the  Company's  decision to exit from the modem  chipset  business  and the
associated restructuring of the Company's non-networking product operations. The
charges were recorded in cost of sales as an inventory  write down  ($4,700,000)
and as  restructure  costs in operating  expenses  ($64,670,000).  In 1997,  the
company  recorded a  recovery  of  $1,383,000  from the  reversal  of the excess
accrued restructuring charge related to the completion of the restructuring.



<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995





The elements of the restructuring charge are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Shortfall
                                                                    Accrued        Recovery                    (excess)
                       Restructuring                             restructuring    (Additional                 in accrued
                        charge Sept.   Write-down      Actual    reserve Dec.31   write down)     Actual     restructuring
                         29, 1996      of assets    expenditures     1996          of assets   expenditures     reserve
                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>
Write down of
  inventories to net
  realizable value       $ 23,000      $(23,000)      $    -        $    -        $(1,371)    $      -       $    1,371
Employee termination
  benefits                  6,985            -         (2,411)        4,574            -         (4,950)            376
Loss on supplier
  commitments and write
  off of prepaid            9,908          (905)         (409)        8,594            -         (6,254)         (2,340)
Write down of excess
  fixed assets and
  assets related to
  capacity commitments     16,580       (16,580)           -             -            942            -             (942)
Provision for price
  protection and
  product returns           5,047        (5,047)           -             -             -             -               -
Excess facility costs       3,411            -           (408)        3,003            -         (2,507)           (496)
Write down of
goodwill related to
  Company's B.V.
  subsidiary in Holland     2,459        (2,459)           -             -             -             -               -
Severance and closure
  costs related to
  Europe                    1,980            -         (1,397)          583            -         (1,231)            648
                       ------------   -----------   ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------   -------------
                         $ 69,370      $(47,991)      $(4,625)      $16,754       $  (429)    $ (14,942)     $   (1,383)
                       ============   ===========   ============  ============  ===========  ============   =============

</TABLE>



As part of this  restructuring,  the  Company  ceased  manufacturing  its  modem
chipset   products  in  September   1996  and  completed  the  shutdown  of  the
non-networking  operations in San Jose by the middle of 1997. As a result of its
decision to exit the modem chipset business,  the Company identified incremental
impairments in the carrying value of its non-networking inventory resulting in a
$23,000,000  write down of  inventories  to net  realizable  value.  In 1997, an
additional  write down of  $1,371,000  was required on disposal of the remaining
inventory.  The write down has been included in the excess  accrued  restructure
reserve recorded in 1997.

Termination  benefits  for  approximately  245  employees  associated  with  the
Company's non-networking operations were paid to employees as they reached their
termination dates, between November 1996 and July 1997. As of December 31, 1996,
118 had reached their termination  dates and had left the Company.  In 1996, the
Company charged  $6,985,000 in costs relating to employee  termination  benefits
and  incurred  expenditures  of  $2,411,000.   In  1997,  the  Company  incurred
expenditures  of  $4,950,000  completing  the  payment of  employee  termination
benefits and the  shortfall in the accrual of $376,000 is included in the excess
accrued restructure reserve recorded in 1997.

In 1996, the Company  recorded  charges of $9,908,000  including a write down of
$905,000  and   expenditures  of  $409,000   arising  from  losses  on  supplier
commitments and write off of prepaid expenses.  In 1997, the Company settled the
remaining  supplier  commitments and other charges related to the  restructuring
through  expenditures  of $6,254,000  and an excess  accrual of  $2,340,000  was
included in the recovery recorded in 1997.

In  connection   with  its  decision  in  1996  to  discontinue   non-networking
operations,  the Company  evaluated  the ongoing  value of the fixed  assets and
assets related to capacity commitments  associated with these operations.  Based
on this  evaluation,  the  Company  identified  approximately  $2.1  million  of
non-networking  property and equipment  that will continue to be utilized in the
Company's  networking  operations.  The remaining  non-networking  assets with a
carrying  amount of  approximately  $11.6 million were determined to be impaired
and were written down by  approximately  $9.7  million to their  estimated  fair
market  value.  In  addition,  the Company  recorded an  impairment  in value of
approximately  $6.9 million in certain leased assets related to IC Works Inc. In
1997,  on disposal of these assets,  the Company  realized  overall  proceeds of
$942,000 in excess of the written  down  value.  The excess was  included in the
recovery recorded in the current year.
<PAGE>
                                PMC-Sierra , Inc.
                   (formerly Sierra Semiconductor Corporation)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995




In 1996,  the  Company  charged  $3,411,000  relating to excess  facility  costs
primarily consisting of amounts to be incurred by the Company under a seven year
non-cancelable  operating lease expiring in 2003. In 1996, the Company  incurred
expenditures  of  $408,000   related  to  the  charge.   In  1997,  the  Company
successfully  cancelled the lease resulting in expenditures of $2,507,000 and an
adjustment of $496,000 to the excess accrued restructure reserve recovery in the
current year.

The Company's  operations in Europe were closed as a result of the 1996 decision
to exit the modem chipset  business.  The charges related to the shutdown of the
European subsidiaries, including severance payments and excess facilities costs,
totalled   $1,980,000,   with   expenditures   in  1996  totalling   $1,397,000.
Additionally,  the  restructuring  charge included a write down of the remaining
goodwill of $2,459,000 for the Company's Holland operation. In 1997, the Company
competed it's closure of the European  operations and incurred  expenditures  of
$1,231,000  resulting in an under accrual of $648,000  which was included in the
recovery recorded in the current year.

In conjunction with the decision to exit the modem chipset business, the Company
is  subject to  incremental  pricing  pressure  and  potential  returns of modem
chipset  products.  In 1996 a non cash charge of  $5,047,000  was  recorded as a
write  down of  related  assets to  provide  for the  potential  impact of price
protection and product returns.

In  1997,   expenditures   associated   with  the   restructuring   charge  were
approximately  $14.9 million  which were funded by the Company's  cash flow from
operations. (1996 - $4.6 million).


NOTE 12.  Earnings (loss) per share.

The following  table sets forth the  computation of basic and diluted net income
(loss) per share:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                December 31,
                                                               ---------------------------------------------
                                                                      1997           1996           1995

<S>                                                              <C>             <C>             <C>
Numerator:
  Net Income (loss)                                              $     34,258    $    (48,150)   $    1,479
                                                               ---------------  --------------  ------------

Denominator:
  Basic weighted average common shares outstanding                     31,043          29,719        27,018
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options                                                       1,585               -         1,602
    Stock warrants                                                         14               -             -
                                                               ---------------  --------------  ------------
  Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding                   32,642          29,719        28,620
                                                               ===============  ==============  ============

                                                               ---------------  --------------  ------------
Basic net income (loss) per share                                $       1.10    $      (1.62)   $     0.06
                                                               ===============  ==============  ============

                                                               ---------------  --------------  ------------
Diluted net income (loss) per share                              $       1.05    $      (1.62)   $     0.05
                                                               ===============  ==============  ============

<FN>

(1)  PMC-Sierra,  Ltd.  Special Shares are included in the  calculation of basic
     net income per share.

Share  information has been adjusted for a 2 to 1 stock split effective  October
5, 1995.

</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


NOTE 13.  Recent Pronouncements.

In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130), which is required to be adopted for
fiscal years  beginning on or after  December  15,  1997.  SFAS 130  establishes
standards  for  the  reporting  and  display  of  comprehensive  income  and its
components   in  a  full   set  of   general   purpose   financial   statements.
Reclassification  of  financial  statements  for earlier  periods  presented  is
required.  The impact of SFAS 130 on the Company's  financial  statements is not
expected to be material and will be adopted in 1998.

In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 131,
"Disclosures  About  Segments of an Enterprise  and Related  Information"  (SFAS
131),  which is required to be adopted for fiscal  years  beginning  on or after
December 15, 1997.  SFAS 131  establishes  new  standards  for the  reporting of
segmented  information in annual financial statements and requires the reporting
of certain  selected  segmented  information on interim reports to shareholders.
The impact of SFAS 131 on the Company's financial  statements is not expected to
be material and will be adopted in 1998.


<PAGE>

                                    PART III

ITEM  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
          Financial Disclosure.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The  information  concerning  the Company's  directors  required by this Item is
incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual
Meeting  of  Shareholders   ("Proxy   Statement").   The  following  sets  forth
information regarding executive officers of the Company as of February 28, 1998.

       Name            Age                  Position
       ----            ---                  --------

Robert L. Bailey       40    President and Chief Executive Officer
Greg Aasen             42    Chief Operating Officer
John W. Sullivan       51    Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  There are no family
relationships between any of the directors or officers of the Company.

Mr. Bailey has served as President,  Chief Executive Officer and Director of the
Company  since July,  1997.  In prior years,  Mr.  Bailey acted as President and
Chief  Executive  Officer of  PMC-Sierra,  Ltd. Mr.  Bailey was also employed by
AT&T-Microelectronics  from August 1989 to November 1993 where he served as Vice
President of Integrated  Microperipheral  Products. Mr. Bailey became a director
of the Company in October 1996.

Mr. Aasen has served as Chief  Operating  Officer of the Company since  February
1997.  Mr.  Aasen is a  founder  of  PMC-Sierra,  Ltd.  and  served as its Chief
Operating  Officer and Secretary since its formation in June 1992. He has served
as a director of PMC-Sierra, Ltd. since August 1994. Prior to joining PMC-Sierra
Ltd., Mr. Aasen was a General Manager of PMC, a division of MPR Teltech, Ltd.

Mr.  Sullivan  joined the Company in April 1997 as Vice  President,  Finance and
Chief  Financial  Officer.  Prior to joining  the  Company,  he was  employed by
Semitool Inc., a semiconductor equipment  manufacturer,  as VP Finance from 1993
to 1997.  Prior to his employment  with Semitool Inc., Mr. Sullivan was employed
by United Dominion Industries and Arthur Young & Company.


ITEM 11.  Executive Compensation.

The  information  required  by this Item is  incorporated  by  reference  to the
Company's Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

The  information  required  by this Item is  incorporated  by  reference  to the
Company's Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

The  information  required  by this Item is  incorporated  by  reference  to the
Company's Proxy Statement.





<PAGE>


                                     PART IV


ITEM 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)      1.  Consolidated Financial Statements
             ---------------------------------
             The financial  statements  (including the notes thereto)  listed in
             the  accompanying  index  to  financial  statements  and  financial
             statement  schedules  are filed  within this Annual  Report on Form
             10-K.

         2.  Financial Statement Schedules
             -----------------------------
             The  financial   statement  schedule  listed  on  page  22  in  the
             accompanying index to financial  statements and financial statement
             schedule is filed within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

         3.  Exhibits
             --------
             The exhibits listed under Item 14(c) are filed as part of this Form
             10-K Annual Report.

(b)          Reports on Form 8-K
             No  reports on Form 8-K were  filed by the  Company in the  quarter
             ended December 31, 1997.

(c)      Exhibits pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Exhibit                                   Description                                     Page
               Number                                                                                   Number

<S>              <C>      <C>                                                                            <C>
                 2.1      Exchange Agreement dated September 2, 1994 between the Company and Ltd.        (C)
                 2.2      Amended and Restated Shareholders' Agreement dated September 2, 1994           (C)
                          among the Shareholders of PMC-Sierra, Inc.
                 2.3      Amendment to Exchange Agreement effective August 9, 1995                       (F)
                 2.4      Agreement and Plan of Merger between Delaware PMC Sierra, Inc., a              (I)
                          Delaware Corporation and PMC-Sierra, Inc., a California Corporation
                 3.1      Certificate of Incorporation                                                   (M)
                3.1A      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation                    --
                          filed June 13, 1997
                3.1B      Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation                    --
                          filed July 11, 1997
                 3.2      Bylaws, as amended                                                              --
                 4.1      Specimen of Common Stock Certificate                                           (L)
                 4.3      Terms of PMC-Sierra, Inc. Special Shares                                       (D)
                 4.4      Silicon Valley Bank Business Loan Agreement and Promissory Note, each          (G)
                          dated  November  29, 1990 and  Security  Agreement
                          dated February 22, 1990
                4.4B      Amendment dated December 29, 1996 to the Silicon Valley Bank Business          (K)
                          Loan Agreement and Promissory Note, dated November 29, 1990 and
                          Security Agreement dated February 22, 1990.
               10.1B      1987 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended                                          (B)
                10.2      1991 Employee Stock Purchase plan, as amended                                  (A)
                10.4      Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors        (I)
                          and officers
<PAGE>
               Exhibit                                   Description                                     Page
               Number                                                                                   Number

                10.8      Warrants to Purchase Common Stock                                              (A)
               10.8B      Warrant Purchase Agreement and Warrants to Purchase Shares of Common           (K)
                          Stock dated August 28, 1996
               10.9D      Technology License Agreement dated November 18, 1987, as amended               (A)
                          July 17, 1990
               10.17      PMC-Sierra, Inc. 1994 Incentive Stock Plan                                     (E)
               10.18      Deposit Agreement with Chartered Semiconductor Pte. Ltd.*                      (H)
              10.18B      Amendment Agreement (No. 1) to Deposit Agreement with Chartered                (K)
                          Semiconductor Pte. Ltd.*
               10.19      Option Agreement among Sierra Semiconductor Corporation, PMC-Sierra,           (K)
                          Inc., and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation*
               10.21      PMC-Sierra Inc. (Portland) 1996 Stock Option Plan                               --
               10.22      Net Building Lease (PMC-Sierra, Ltd.), dated May 15, 1996                      (K)
                11.1      Calculation of earnings per share                                              (O)
                16.1      Letter regarding change in certifying accountant                               (N)
                21.1      Subsidiaries                                                                    --
                23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors                              --
                23.2      Consent of Deloitte & Touche, Independent Auditors                              --
                24.1      Power of Attorney                                                               --


<FN>

                   *     Confidential treatment has been granted as to a portion of this exhibit.

                 (A)     Incorporated by reference from the same-numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-39406).

                 (B)     Incorporated by reference from the same-numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended
                         January 3, 1993.

                 (C)     Incorporated by reference from the same-numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 16,
                         1994, as amended.

                 (D)     Incorporated by reference from exhibit 4 of the Schedule 13-D filed on
                         November 2, 1994 by GTE Corporation.

                 (E)     Incorporated by reference from the same numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ended
                         January 2, 1994.

                 (F)     Incorporated by reference from exhibit 2.1 filed with Registrant's
                         Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 6, 1995, as amended on
                         October 6, 1995.

                 (G)     Incorporated by reference from the same numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-39406).

                 (H)     Incorporated by reference from the same numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended
                         December 31, 1995.

                 (I)     Incorporated by reference from the same numbered exhibit filed with
                         Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.

                 (J)     Incorporated by reference from exhibit 3.1 filed with Registrant's
                         Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997.
<PAGE>

                 (K)     Incorporated by reference from the same numbered exhibit filed with
                         the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended
                         December 31, 1996.

                 (L)     Incorporated by reference from exhibit 4.4 filed with Registrant's
                         Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 29, 1997.

                 (M)     Incorporated by reference from exhibit 3.1(1) filed with Registrant's
                         Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 29, 1997.

                 (N)     Incorporated by reference from exhibit 16.1 filed with Registrant's
                         Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 18, 1997.

                 (O)     Refer to Note 12 of the financial statements included in Item 8 of
                         Part II of this report.

</FN>
</TABLE>

(d)      Financial  Statement Schedules required by this item are listed on page
22 in the accompanying index to the financial statements.




<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                       PMC-SIERRA, INC.
                                       (Registrant)

Date:  March 20, 1998                  /s/ Robert L. Bailey
                                       --------------------------
                                       Robert L. Bailey, Chief Executive Officer

                                                    POWER OF ATTORNEY
       KNOW ALL  PERSONS BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that each person  whose  signature
appears below  constitutes  and appoints  Robert L. Bailey and John W. Sullivan,
jointly  and  severally,   his   attorneys-in-fact,   each  with  the  power  of
substitution,  for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Report on Form  10-K,  and to file the same,  with  exhibits  thereto  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact,  or his
substitute or substitutes, may or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Annual  Report has been signed below by the  following  persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        Name                                    Title                                     Date


<S>                         <C>                                                      <C>
/s/ James V. Diller         Chairman of the Board and Director                       March 20, 1998
- -------------------                                                                  --------------
James V. Diller

/s/ Robert L. Bailey        Director and Chief Executive Officer                     March 20, 1998
- --------------------                                                                 --------------
Robert L. Bailey


/s/ John W. Sullivan        Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer          March 20, 1998
- --------------------        (and Principal Accounting Officer)                       --------------
John W. Sullivan


/s/ Michael L. Dionne       Director                                                 March 20, 1998
- ---------------------                                                                --------------
Michael L. Dionne

/s/ Colin Beaumont          Director                                                 March 20, 1998
- ------------------                                                                   --------------
Colin Beaumont

/s/ Frank Marshall          Director                                                 March 20, 1998
- ------------------                                                                   --------------
Frank Marshall

/s/ Alexandre Balkanski     Director                                                 March 20, 1998
- -----------------------                                                              --------------
Alexandre Balkanski

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

                  Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
                                  Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
<CAPTION>

                              Additions
             Balance at      charged to        Additions
            beginning of      costs and       charged to                    Balance at
Year            year          expenses       other accounts    Write-offs   end of year

<C>         <C>                     <C>              <C>            <C>     <C>
1997        $       842             500              -              272     $     1,070
1996        $     1,081             666              -              905     $       842
1995        $     1,648              49              -              616     $     1,081

</TABLE>

<TABLE>

                                   1993 Accrued Restructure Costs
<CAPTION>

                               Additions
             Balance at       charged to       Additions
            beginning of       costs and      charged to                    Balance at
Year            year           expenses      other accounts     Payments    end of year

<C>         <C>                    <C>               <C>            <C>     <C>
1997        $       373            (373)             -                -     $         -
1996        $       373               -              -                -     $       373
1995        $     1,150               -              -              777     $       373

</TABLE>

<TABLE>

                                   1996 Accrued Restructure Costs
<CAPTION>

                                                                Accruals
                               Additions                      reclassed from
             Balance at       (recovery)       Additions       (to) other
            beginning of      charged to      charged to       restructure                   Balance at
Year            year           expenses      other accounts      accounts      Payments      end of year

<C>         <C>                  <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>         <C>
1997        $    16,754          (1,383)          (429)               -         14,942      $         -
1996        $         -          28,154              -           (6,775)         4,625      $    16,754
1995        $         -               -              -                -             -       $         -


</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit                            Description                            Page
Number                                                                   Number

 3.1A    Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation      --
         filed June 13, 1997
 3.1B    Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation      --
         filed July 11, 1997
  3.2    Bylaws, as amended                                                --
10.21    PMC-Sierra Inc., (Portland) 1996 Stock Option Plan                --
 21.1    Subsidiaries                                                      --
 23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors                --
 23.2    Consent of Deloitte & Touche, Independent Auditors                --
 24.1    Power of Attorney                                                 --








                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                                PMC-SIERRA, INC.



     PMC-Sierra,  Inc., a corporation  organized and existing  under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies that:


     1. The name of the  Corporation is  PMC-Sierra,  Inc. The  Corporation  was
originally  incorporated  under  the same  name,  and  original  Certificate  of
Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
May 2, 1997.

     2. Article I of the Certificate of Incorporation  of the Corporation  shall
be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     "The  name  of  this   corporation  is  Delaware   PMC-Sierra,   Inc.  (the
"Corporation")."

     3. This Amendment of the  Corporation's  Certificate of  Incorporation  has
been duly adopted by the  Corporation's  board of directors in  accordance  with
Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,  and by the
holders of each class of  outstanding  stock entitled to vote thereon by written
consent given in accordance  with Section 228 of the General  Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.

     IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Corporation  has  caused  this  Certificate  of
Amendment to Certificate of  Incorporation  to be signed by Glenn C. Jones,  its
Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial  Officer,  on this 12th day
of June, 1997.



           PMC-SIERRA, INC.


           By:/s/ Glenn C. Jones
              ------------------------------------------------------------
              Glenn C. Jones,
              Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Executive Officer







                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

                            DELAWARE PMC-SIERRA, INC.



     A Delaware corporation,  Delaware PMC-Sierra, Inc., a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware (the  "Corporation"),  hereby  certifies
that:

1.   The name of  the  Corporation is Delaware PMC-Sierra,  Inc. The Corporation
was originally incorporated under the name of PMC-Sierra, Inc., and the original
Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware
on May 2, 1997.

2.   Article I of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation  shall
be amended to read as follows:

     "The name of this corporation is PMC-Sierra, Inc. (the "Corporation")."

3.   Article IX of the Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation  shall
be amended to read as follows:

     "Holders  of stock of any  class or  series  of this  Corporation  shall be
     entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors  pursuant to
     Section 214 of the Delaware General Corporation Law."

4.   Article XII of the Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation  shall
be amended to read as follows:

     "No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation except
     at  an  annual  or  special  meeting  of  the  stockholders  called  in
     accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation or by written consent."

5.   This Amendment of the  Corporation's  Amended  Certificate of Incorporation
has been duly adopted by the Corporation's board of directors in accordance with
Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,  and by the
holders of each class of  outstanding  stock entitled to vote thereon by written
consent given in accordance  with Section 228 of the General  Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to
Certificate  of  Incorporation  to be signed by Glenn C. Jones,  its Senior Vice
President  of Finance  and Chief  Financial  Officer,  on this 10th day of July,
1997.

                    PMC-SIERRA, INC.


                    By:/s/ Glenn C. Jones
                       --------------------------------------------------
                       Glenn C. Jones
                       Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                                PMC-SIERRA, INC.

                            (a Delaware Corporation)




<PAGE>



                                    BYLAWS OF

                                PMC-SIERRA, INC.
                            (a Delaware Corporation)

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page

 ARTICLE I

          CORPORATE OFFICES.................................................-1-
          1.1       REGISTERED OFFICE.......................................-1-
          1.2       OTHER OFFICES...........................................-1-

 ARTICLE II

          MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS..........................................-1-
          2.1       PLACE OF MEETINGS.......................................-1-
          2.2       ANNUAL MEETING..........................................-1-
          2.3       SPECIAL MEETING.........................................-2-
          2.4       NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS........................-2-
          2.5       NOTIFICATIONS OF NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSED BUSINESS......-2-
          2.6       MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE............-3-
          2.7       QUORUM..................................................-3-
          2.8       ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE...............................-4-
          2.9       VOTING..................................................-4-
          2.10      WAIVER OF NOTICE........................................-4-
          2.11      RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING..............-5-
          2.12      PROXIES.................................................-5-
          2.13      ORGANIZATION............................................-5-
          2.14      LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE...................-6-

 ARTICLE III

          DIRECTORS.........................................................-6-
          3.1       POWERS..................................................-6-
          3.2       NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.....................................-6-
          3.3       ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS................-6-
          3.4       RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES...............................-6-
          3.5       PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE................-7-
          3.6       REGULAR MEETINGS........................................-8-
          3.7       SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE................................-8-
          3.8       QUORUM..................................................-8-
          3.9       WAIVER OF NOTICE........................................-9-
          3.10      ADJOURNMENT.............................................-9-
          3.11      NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT...................................-9-
          3.12      BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.......-9-
          3.13      FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS......................-9-
          3.14      APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS...........................-9-
<PAGE>

 ARTICLE IV

          COMMITTEES........................................................-10-
          4.1       COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS.................................-10-
          4.2       MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES.......................-11-
          4.3       COMMITTEE MINUTES.......................................-11-

 ARTICLE V

          OFFICERS..........................................................-11-
          5.1       OFFICERS................................................-11-
          5.2       ELECTION OF OFFICERS....................................-11-
          5.3       SUBORDINATE OFFICERS....................................-11-
          5.4       REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS.....................-13-
          5.5       VACANCIES IN OFFICES....................................-13-
          5.6       CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD...................................-13-
          5.7       PRESIDENT...............................................-13-
          5.8       VICE PRESIDENTS.........................................-13-
          5.9       SECRETARY...............................................-14-
          5.10  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.....................................-14-

 ARTICLE VI

          INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,
          AND OTHER AGENTS..................................................-15-
          6.1       INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...............-15-
          6.2       INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS...............................-16-
          6.3       INSURANCE...............................................-16-

 ARTICLE VII

          RECORDS AND REPORTS...............................................-16-
          7.1       MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS...................-16-
          7.2       INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS.................................-17-
          7.3       ANNUAL STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS........................-17-
          7.4       REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS..........-17-
          7.5       CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS..................-17-

 ARTICLE VIII

          GENERAL MATTERS...................................................-17-
          8.1       RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING...-17-
          8.2       CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS...............-18-
          8.3       CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS:  HOW EXECUTED......-18-
          8.4       STOCK CERTIFICATES; TRANSFER; PARTLY PAID SHARES........-18-
          8.5       SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES.....................-19-
          8.6       LOST CERTIFICATES.......................................-19-
          8.7       TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS..........................-20-
          8.8       CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS...............................-20-

 ARTICLE IX

          AMENDMENTS........................................................-20-

<PAGE>



                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                                PMC-SIERRA, INC.

                            (a Delaware Corporation)


                                    ARTICLE I

                                CORPORATE OFFICES


          1.1       REGISTERED OFFICE

          The  registered  office  of the  Corporation  shall  be  fixed  in the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

          1.2       OTHER OFFICES

          The Board of Directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate
offices  at any  place or  places  where  the  Corporation  is  qualified  to do
business.


                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

          2.1       PLACE OF MEETINGS

          Meetings of stockholders  shall be held at any place within or outside
the State of Delaware  designated by the Board of  Directors.  In the absence of
any such  designation,  stockholders'  meetings  shall be held at the  principal
executive office of the Corporation.

          2.2       ANNUAL MEETING

          The annual meeting of  stockholders  shall be held each year on a date
and at a time  designated  by the Board of  Directors.  In the  absence  of such
designation,  the  annual  meeting  of  stockholders  shall be held on the third
Tuesday of May in each year at 10:00 a.m. However,  if such day falls on a legal
holiday,  then the meeting  shall be held at the same time and place on the next
succeeding full business day. At the meeting,  directors  shall be elected,  and
any other proper business may be transacted.



<PAGE>



          2.3       SPECIAL MEETING

          A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the
Board of Directors, or by the Chairman of the Board, or by the President.

          2.4       NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS

          All  notices of meetings of  stockholders  shall be sent or  otherwise
given in accordance  with Section 2.6 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor
more than  sixty  (60) days  before the date of the  meeting.  The notice  shall
specify  the  place,  date,  and  hour of the  meeting  and (i) in the case of a
special  meeting,  the  general  nature of the  business  to be  transacted  (no
business  other than that  specified in the notice may be transacted) or (ii) in
the case of the annual meeting,  those matters which the Board of Directors,  at
the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the stockholders
(but any proper  matter may be  presented at the meeting for such  action).  The
notice of any meeting at which  directors  are to be elected  shall  include the
name of any  nominee  or  nominees  who,  at the time of the  notice,  the Board
intends to present for election.

          2.5       NOTIFICATIONS OF NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSED BUSINESS.

          Subject  to the  rights  of  holders  of any  class or series of stock
having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation,

                    (a)   nominations for the election of directors, and

                    (b)   business proposed to be brought before any stockholder
meeting

may be made by the Board of Directors or proxy committee  appointed by the Board
of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors
generally if such nomination or business  proposed is otherwise  proper business
before such  meeting.  However,  any such  stockholder  may nominate one or more
persons for election as directors at a meeting or propose business to be brought
before a meeting,  or both, only if such  stockholder has given timely notice in
proper  written form of his intent to make such  nomination or nominations or to
propose such business. To be timely, such stockholder's notice must be delivered
to or mailed and  received by the  Secretary  of the  Corporation  not less than
thirty-five  (35)  days nor more than  sixty  (60)  days  prior to the  meeting;
provided,  however, that in the event that less than forty-five (45) days notice
or  prior  public  disclosure  of the  date of the  meeting  is given or made to
stockholders,  notice by the  stockholder  to be timely must be so received  not
later than the close of  business  on the tenth day  following  the day on which
such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public  disclosure was
made. To be in proper form, a  stockholder's  notice to the Secretary  shall set
forth:

                           (i)      the name and address of the stockholder who
                    intends to make the nominations or propose the business and,
                    as the case may be, of the person or persons to be nominated
                    or of the business to be proposed;


<PAGE>



                           (ii)  a  representation  that  the  stockholder  is a
                    holder  of record of stock of the  Corporation  entitled  to
                    vote at such meeting and, if  applicable,  intends to appear
                    in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate  the person
                    or persons specified in the notice;

                           (iii)   if   applicable,   a   description   of   all
                    arrangements or  understandings  between the stockholder and
                    each  nominee and any other  person or persons  (naming such
                    person  or  persons)  pursuant  to which the  nomination  or
                    nominations are to be made by the stockholder;

                           (iv) such other information regarding each nominee or
                    each matter of  business to be proposed by such  stockholder
                    as would be required  to be  included  in a proxy  statement
                    filed  pursuant  to the proxy  rules of the  Securities  and
                    Exchange  Commission  had the  nominee  been  nominated,  or
                    intended to be nominated,  or the matter been  proposed,  or
                    intended to be proposed by the Board of Directors; and

                           (v)     if applicable, the consent of each nominee to
                    serve as director of the Corporation if so elected.

          The Chairman of the meeting shall refuse to acknowledge the nomination
of any person or the proposal of any business  not made in  compliance  with the
foregoing procedure.

          2.6       MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE

          Written  notice of any meeting of  stockholders  shall be given either
personally  or  by   first-class   mail  or  by  telegraphic  or  other  written
communication.  Notices not personally  delivered  shall be sent charges prepaid
and shall be addressed  to the  stockholder  at the address of that  stockholder
appearing on the books of the  Corporation  or given by the  stockholder  to the
Corporation for the purpose of notice. Notice shall be deemed to have been given
at the  time  when  delivered  personally  or  deposited  in the mail or sent by
telegram or other means of written communication.

          An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
stockholders'  meeting,  executed by the Secretary,  assistant  secretary or any
transfer  agent of the  Corporation  giving  the  notice,  shall be prima  facie
evidence of the giving of such notice.

          2.7       QUORUM

          The  holders of a  majority  in voting  power of the stock  issued and
outstanding  and entitled to vote thereat,  present in person or  represented by
proxy,  shall  constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stock  holders for the
transaction  of  business  except as  otherwise  provided  by  statute or by the
Certificate  of  Incorporation.  If,  however,  such  quorum is not  present  or
represented at any meeting of the stockholders,  then either (i) the chairman of
the meeting or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in


<PAGE>



person or  represented  by proxy,  shall have power to  adjourn  the  meeting in
accordance with Section 2.8 of these bylaws.

          When a quorum is present at any meeting,  the vote of the holders of a
majority of the stock having  voting power present in person or  represented  by
proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question
is one upon which, by express  provision of the laws of the State of Delaware or
of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or these  bylaws,  a  different  vote is
required,  in which case such  express  provision  shall  govern and control the
decision of the question.

          If a quorum be initially  present,  the  stockholders  may continue to
transact business until  adjournment,  notwithstanding  the withdrawal of enough
stockholders  to leave less than a quorum,  if any action taken is approved by a
majority of the stockholders initially constituting the quorum.

          2.8       ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

          When a meeting is adjourned  to another  time and place,  unless these
bylaws otherwise  require,  notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if
the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment
is taken.  At the adjourned  meeting the  Corporation  may transact any business
that might have been transacted at the original  meeting.  If the adjournment is
for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is
fixed for the  adjourned  meeting,  a notice of the  adjourned  meeting shall be
given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

          2.9       VOTING

          The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall
be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws,
subject to the provisions of Sections 217 and 218 of the General Corporation Law
of  Delaware  (relating  to voting  rights of  fiduciaries,  pledgors  and joint
owners, and to voting trusts and other voting agreements).

          Except  as  may  be   otherwise   provided  in  the   Certificate   of
incorporation,  each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of
capital stock held by such stockholder.

          2.10      WAIVER OF NOTICE

          Whenever  notice is required to be given  under any  provision  of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware or the Certificate of Incorporation or these
bylaws,  a written  waiver  thereof,  signed by the person  entitled  to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein,  shall be deemed  equivalent to
notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice
of such  meeting,  except  when the  person  attends a meeting  for the  express
purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any
business  because the meeting is not lawfully  called or  convened.  Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting
of the stockholders  need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so
required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.


<PAGE>



          2.11      RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING

          For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of any
meeting or to vote thereat, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record
date,  which  shall not precede  the date upon which the  resolution  fixing the
record  date is adopted by the Board of  Directors  and which  shall not be more
than  sixty  (60) days nor less than ten (10) days  before  the date of any such
meeting,  and in such event only stockholders of record on the date so fixed are
entitled to notice and to vote,  notwithstanding  any  transfer of any shares on
the books of the Corporation after the record date.

          If the Board of Directors  does not so fix a record  date,  the record
date for determining  stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of  stockholders  shall be at the close of  business  on the  business  day next
preceding  the day on which  notice is given,  or, if notice is  waived,  at the
close of  business  on the  business  day next  preceding  the day on which  the
meeting is held.

          A determination  of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders  shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting
unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting,
but the  Board of  Directors  shall  fix a new  record  date if the  meeting  is
adjourned  for more than  thirty  (30)  days from the date set for the  original
meeting.

          The record date for any other  purpose shall be as provided in Section
8.1 of these bylaws.

          2.12      PROXIES

          Every person  entitled to vote for directors,  or on any other matter,
shall  have  the  right  to do so  either  in  person  or by one or more  agents
authorized  by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the Secretary
of the  Corporation,  but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three
(3) years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer  period.  A proxy
shall be deemed signed if the stockholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether
by manual signature,  typewriting,  telegraphic  transmission,  telefacsimile or
otherwise)  by  the  stockholder  or  the  stockholder's  attorney-in-fact.  The
revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable  shall be
governed by the provisions of Section 212(e) of the General  Corporation  Law of
Delaware.

          2.13      ORGANIZATION

          The President, or in the absence of the President, the Chairman of the
Board, or, in the absence of the President and the Chairman of the Board, one of
the Corporation's vice presidents, shall call the meeting of the stockholders to
order,  and  shall  act as  chairman  of the  meeting.  In  the  absence  of the
President,  the  Chairman  of the  Board,  and all of the vice  presidents,  the
stockholders  shall  appoint a chairman  for such  meeting.  The chairman of any
meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedures
at the meeting, including such matters as the regulation of the manner of voting
and the conduct of  business.  The  Secretary  of the  Corporation  shall act as
secretary  of all  meetings  of the  stockholders,  but  in the  absence  of the
Secretary  at any meeting of the  stockholders,  the chairman of the meeting may
appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.


<PAGE>



          2.14      LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

          The  officer  who has  charge of the stock  ledger of the  Corporation
shall  prepare  and  make,  at least  ten (10)  days  before  every  meeting  of
stockholders,  a  complete  list  of the  stockholders  entitled  to vote at the
meeting,  arranged  in  alphabetical  order,  and  showing  the  address of each
stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.
Such list shall be open to the examination of any  stockholder,  for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least
ten (10) days prior to the meeting,  either at a place within the city where the
meeting  is to be held,  which  place  shall be  specified  in the notice of the
meeting, or, if not so specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The list shall also be  produced  and kept at the time and place of the  meeting
during the whole time thereof,  and may be inspected by any  stockholder  who is
present.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS

          3.1       POWERS

          Subject to the provisions of the General  Corporation  Law of Delaware
and any  limitations  in the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and  these  bylaws
relating  to  action  required  to be  approved  by the  stockholders  or by the
outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed
and all  corporate  powers shall be  exercised by or under the  direction of the
Board of directors.

          3.2       NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

          The Board of Directors  shall be six until  changed by an amendment to
this bylaw, duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, or by
a duly adopted amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.

          No reduction  of the  authorized  number of  directors  shall have the
effect of removing any director before that director's term of office expires.

          3.3       ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

          Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws,  directors shall be
elected at each annual  meeting of  stockholders  to hold office  until the next
annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected or appointed to fill
a vacancy,  shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected
and until a successor has been elected and qualified.

          3.4       RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

          Any director  may resign  effective  on giving  written  notice to the
Chairman of the Board,  the President,  the Secretary or the Board of Directors,
unless the notice specifies a later time for that

<PAGE>



resignation to become  effective.  If the resignation of a director is effective
at a future time,  the Board of  Directors  may elect a successor to take office
when the resignation becomes effective.

          Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the
remaining  directors,  even  if  less  than a  quorum,  or by a  sole  remaining
director; however, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote of
the stockholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the shares  represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which
a quorum is  present  (which  shares  voting  affirmatively  also  constitute  a
majority of the required  quorum).  Each  director so elected  shall hold office
until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until a successor has been
elected and qualified.

          Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these
bylaws:

                    (i) Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from
any  increase  in the  authorized  number  of  directors  elected  by all of the
stockholders  having  the  right to vote as a single  class  may be  filled by a
majority of the directors then in office,  although less than a quorum,  or by a
sole remaining director.

                   (ii) Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or
series  thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of
the Certificate of Incorporation,  vacancies and newly created  directorships of
such class or classes  or series  may be filled by a majority  of the  directors
elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office,  or by a sole
remaining director so elected.

         If at any time, by reason of death or resignation  or other cause,  the
Corporation  should  have no  directors  in  office,  then  any  officer  or any
stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder,
or other fiduciary  entrusted with like  responsibility for the person or estate
of a stockholder,  may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with
the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply
to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided
in Section 211 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

         If,  at  the  time  of  filling  any  vacancy  or  any  newly   created
directorship,  the directors then in office  constitute  less than a majority of
the whole board (as constituted  immediately  prior to any such increase),  then
the Court of Chancery may, upon  application of any  stockholder or stockholders
holding at least ten (10)  percent of the total number of the shares at the time
outstanding  having  the right to vote for such  directors,  summarily  order an
election to be held to fill any such  vacancies or newly created  directorships,
or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid,
which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware as far as applicable.

         3.5      PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

         Regular  meetings  of the Board of  Directors  may be held at any place
within or outside the State of Delaware  that has been  designated  from time to
time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of


<PAGE>



such a designation,  regular  meetings shall be held at the principal  executive
office  of the  Corporation.  Special  meetings  of the Board may be held at any
place within or outside the State of Delaware  that has been  designated  in the
notice of the  meeting or, if not stated in the notice or if there is no notice,
at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

         Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or
similar communication  equipment,  so long as all directors participating in the
meeting  can hear one  another;  and all such  directors  shall be  deemed to be
present in person at the meeting.

         3.6      REGULAR MEETINGS

         Regular  meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without  notice
if the  times of such  meetings  are  fixed by the  Board of  Directors.  If any
regular  meeting day shall fall on a legal  holiday,  then the meeting  shall be
held next succeeding full business day.

         3.7      SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

         Special  meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes
may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President,  any vice
president, the Secretary or any two directors.

         Notice of the time and place of  special  meetings  shall be  delivered
personally  or by  telephone  to each  director or sent by  first-class  mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director's address
as it is shown on the records of the  Corporation.  If the notice is mailed,  it
shall be deposited  in the United  States mail at least four (4) days before the
time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered  personally or by
telephone or telegram,  it shall be delivered  personally  or by telephone or to
the  telegraph  company at least  forty-eight  (48) hours before the time of the
holding of the meeting.  Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director
who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate
it to the director.  The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the
meeting,  if the meeting is to be held at the principal  executive office of the
Corporation.

         3.8      QUORUM

         A majority of the  authorized  number of directors  shall  constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section
3.10 of these  bylaws.  Every act or decision  done or made by a majority of the
directors  present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present  shall be
regarded as the act of the Board of Directors,  subject to the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation and other applicable law.

         A meeting  at which a quorum  is  initially  present  may  continue  to
transact  business  notwithstanding  the withdrawal of directors,  if any action
taken is  approved  by at  least a  majority  of the  required  quorum  for that
meeting.



<PAGE>



         3.9      WAIVER OF NOTICE

         Notice of a meeting  need not be given to any  director (i) who signs a
waiver of notice or a consent  to holding  the  meeting  or an  approval  of the
minutes  thereof,  whether before or after the meet ing, or (ii) who attends the
meeting without  protesting,  prior thereto or at its commencement,  the lack of
notice to such  directors.  All such waivers,  consents,  and approvals shall be
filed with the corporate  records or made part of the minutes of the meeting.  A
waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special  meeting
of the Board of Directors.

         3.10     ADJOURNMENT

         A majority of the  directors  present,  whether or not  constituting  a
quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.

         3.11     NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT

         Notice of the time and place of holding an  adjourned  meeting need not
be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more than  twenty-four  (24) hours.
If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, then notice of
the time and place of the adjourned  meeting shall be given before the adjourned
meeting takes place, in the manner specified in Section 3.7 of these bylaws,  to
the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.

         3.12     BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

         Any action  required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors
may be  taken  without  a  meeting,  provided  that  all  members  of the  Board
individually or collectively  consent in writing to that action.  Such action by
written  consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the
Board of Directors.  Such written consent and any counterparts  thereof shall be
filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.

         3.13     FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

         Directors and members of committees may receive such  compensation,  if
any, for their  services and such  reimbursement  of expenses as may be fixed or
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.  This Section 3.13 shall not
be construed to preclude any director from serving the  Corporation in any other
capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensa tion
for those services.

         3.14     APPROVAL OF LOANS TO OFFICERS

         The  Corporation  may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or
otherwise  assist any officer or other employee of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries,  including  any  officer  or  employee  who is a  director  of the
Corporation  or any of  its  subsidiaries,  whenever,  in  the  judgment  of the
directors,


<PAGE>



such loan,  guaranty or  assistance  may  reasonably  be expected to benefit the
Corporation.  The loan,  guaranty  or other  assistance  may be with or  without
interest  and may be  unsecured,  or  secured  in such  manner  as the  Board of
Directors shall approve,  including,  without limitation,  a pledge of shares of
stock of the Corporation.  Nothing  contained in this section shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the Corporation at
common law or under any statute.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   COMMITTEES

         4.1      COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

         The Board of Directors may, by resolution  adopted by a majority of the
authorized  number of  directors,  designate  one (1) or more  committees,  each
consisting of two or more directors,  to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The
Board may  designate  one (1) or more  directors  as  alternate  members  of any
committee,  who may replace any absent  member at any meeting of the  committee.
The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote
of a majority of the  authorized  number of  directors.  Any  committee,  to the
extent provided in the resolution of the Board,  shall have and may exercise all
the powers and  authority  of the Board,  but no such  committee  shall have the
power of authority to:

                  (a) amend the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  (except  that a
committee  may,  to the  extent  authorized  in the  resolution  or  resolutions
providing  for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by the Board of Directors
as provided in Section 151(a) of the General  Corporation  Law of Delaware,  fix
the designations and any of the preferences or rights of such shares relating to
dividends,   redemption,   dissolution,   any  distribution  of  assets  of  the
Corporation or the conversion  into, or the exchange of such shares for,  shares
of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class
or classes of stock of the Corporation);

                  (b)      adopt an  agreement of  merger or consolidation under
Sections 251 or 252 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware;

                  (c)      recommend  to  the  stockholders  the  sale, lease or
exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets;

                  (d)      recommend  to  the  stockholders a dissolution of the
Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution; or

                  (e) amend the bylaws of the Corporation; and, unless the Board
resolution  estab  lishing  the  committee,  the  bylaws or the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  expressly so provide,  no such committee  shall have the power or
authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock, or to adopt
a  certificate  of ownership  and merger  pursuant to Section 253 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.


<PAGE>




         4.2      MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

         Meetings and actions of  committees  shall be governed by, and held and
taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Section
3.5 (place of meetings),  Section 3.6 (regular  meetings),  Section 3.7 (special
meetings  and  notice),  Section 3.8  (quorum),  Section 3.9 (waiver of notice),
Section 3.10  (adjournment),  Section 3.11 (notice of adjournment),  and Section
3.12 (action without meeting),  with such changes in the context of those bylaws
as are  necessary to  substitute  the committee and its members for the Board of
Directors and its members; provided,  however, that the time of regular meetings
of committees  may be determined  either by resolution of the Board of Directors
or by resolution of the committee,  that special meetings of committees may also
be called by resolution  of the Board of  Directors,  and that notice of special
meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate  members,  who shall
have the right to attend all meetings of the  committee.  The Board of Directors
may adopt rules for the  government of any committee not  inconsistent  with the
provisions of these bylaws.

         4.3      COMMITTEE MINUTES.

         Each  committee  shall keep regular  minutes of its meetings and report
the same to the Board of Directors when required.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                    OFFICERS

         5.1      OFFICERS

         The officers of the Corporation shall be a president, a secretary,  and
a chief financial  officer.  The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of
the Board of Directors,  a chairman of the Board,  one or more vice  presidents,
one or more assistant  secretaries,  one or more assistant treasurers,  and such
other officers as may be appointed in accordance  with the provisions of Section
5.3 of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

         5.2      ELECTION OF OFFICERS

         The  officers  of  the  Corporation,  except  such  officers  as may be
appointed in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of
these bylaws, shall be chosen by the Board, subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment.

         5.3      SUBORDINATE OFFICERS


<PAGE>



         The Board of  Directors  may appoint,  or may empower the  President to
appoint,  such other  officers as the business of the  Corporation  may require,
each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform
such duties as are  provided in these  bylaws or as the Board of  Directors  may
from time to time determine.



<PAGE>



         5.4      REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

         Subject to the  rights,  if any,  of an officer  under any  contract of
employment,  any officer may be removed,  either with or without  cause,  by the
Board of Directors at any regular or special  meeting of the Board or, except in
case of an officer  chosen by the Board of  Directors,  by any officer upon whom
such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

         Any  officer  may  resign at any time by giving  written  notice to the
Corporation.  Any  resignation  shall take  effect at the date of the receipt of
that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise
specified  in that  notice,  the  acceptance  of the  resignation  shall  not be
necessary to make it  effective.  Any  resignation  is without  prejudice to the
rights,  if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a
party.

         5.5      VACANCIES IN OFFICES

         A  vacancy  in any  office  because  of  death,  resignation,  removal,
disqualification  or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in
these bylaws for regular appointments to that office.

         5.6      CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

         The  Chairman of the Board,  if such an officer be elected,  shall,  if
present,  preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform
such other  powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the
Board of  Directors  or as may be  prescribed  by these  bylaws.  If there is no
President,  then the  Chairman  of the Board  shall also be the chief  executive
officer of the  Corporation  and shall have the powers and duties  prescribed in
Section 5.7 of these bylaws.

         5.7      PRESIDENT

         Subject  to such  supervisory  powers,  if any,  as may be given by the
Board of Directors  to the  Chairman of the Board,  if there be such an officer,
the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall,
subject to the  control of the Board of  Directors,  have  general  supervision,
direction, and control of the business and the officers of the Corporation.  The
President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders  and, in the absence
or  nonexistence  of a chairman  of the Board,  at all  meetings of the Board of
Directors. The President shall have the general powers and duties of manage ment
usually vested in the office of president of a corporation,  and shall have such
other powers and duties as may be  prescribed by the Board of Directors or these
bylaws.

         5.8      VICE PRESIDENTS

         In the absence or disability of the President, the vice presidents,  if
any,  in order of their  rank as fixed  by the  Board of  Directors  or,  if not
ranked, a vice president designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all
the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and
be subject to all the  restrictions  upon,  the President.  The vice  presidents
shall have such other powers and


<PAGE>



perform  such  other  duties  as from  time to time may be  prescribed  for them
respectively  by the Board of  Directors,  these  bylaws,  the  President or the
Chairman of the Board.

         5.9      SECRETARY

         The  Secretary  shall  keep  or  cause  to be  kept,  at the  principal
executive  office  of the  Corporation  or such  other  place  as the  Board  of
Directors  may  direct,  a book  of  minutes  of all  meetings  and  actions  of
directors,  committees of directors and stockholders. The minutes shall show the
time and place of each meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how
authorized  and the notice  given),  the names of those  present  at  directors'
meetings or committee  meetings,  the number of shares present or represented at
stockholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.

         The  Secretary  shall  keep,  or  cause to be  kept,  at the  principal
executive  office  of the  Corporation  or at the  office  of the  Corporation's
transfer  agent or  registrar,  as  determined  by  resolution  of the  Board of
Directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of
all stockholders  and their addresses,  the number and classes of shares held by
each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number
and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

         The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given,  notice of all meetings
of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors required to be given by law or
by these bylaws. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the Corporation, if one be
adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these bylaws.

         5.10  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

         The Chief  Financial  Officer shall keep and  maintain,  or cause to be
kept and  maintained,  adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the
properties and business  transactions of the Corporation,  including accounts of
its  assets,  liabilities,  receipts,  disbursements,  gains,  losses,  capital,
retained  earnings,  and shares.  The books of account  shall at all  reasonable
times be open to inspection by any director.

         The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all money and other valuables
in the name and to the credit of the Corporation  with such  depositaries as may
be designated by the Board of Directors.  Chief Financial Officer shall disburse
the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors,  shall
render to the President and  directors,  whenever they request it, an account of
all of his or her  transactions as Chief Financial  Officer and of the financial
condition of the Corporation,  and shall have such other powers and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws.



<PAGE>




                                   ARTICLE VI

               INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES,
                                AND OTHER AGENTS

         6.1      INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         The  Corporation  shall,  to the  maximum  extent  and  in  the  manner
permitted by the General  Corporation  Law of Delaware as the same now exists or
may  hereafter be amended,  indemnify  any person  against  expenses  (including
attorneys' fees), judgments,  fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably  incurred in  connection  with any  threatened,  pending or completed
action,  suit,  or  proceeding  in  which  such  person  was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the  Corporation.  For  purposes of this  Section  6.1, a
"director" or "officer" of the  Corporation  shall mean any person (i) who is or
was a director or officer of the Corporation,  (ii) who is or was serving at the
request  of the  Corporation  as a director  or officer of another  corporation,
partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or  other  enterprise,  or (iii)  who was a
director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor  corporation of the
Corporation  or of  another  enterprise  at  the  request  of  such  predecessor
corporation.

         The Corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or officer in
connection  with an action,  suit, or proceeding (or part thereof)  initiated by
such  director  or officer  only if the  initiation  of such  action,  suit,  or
proceeding  (or part  thereof) by the director or officer was  authorized by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation.

         The  Corporation  shall pay the expenses  (including  attorney's  fees)
incurred by a director or officer of the Corporation entitled to indemnification
hereunder  in  defending  any  action,  suit or  proceeding  referred to in this
Section 6.1 in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that payment
of expenses  incurred by a director or officer of the  Corporation in advance of
the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding shall be made only upon
receipt of an  undertaking  by the  director  or  officer  to repay all  amounts
advanced if it should  ultimately be determined  that the director of officer is
not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6.1 or otherwise.

         The  rights  conferred  on any  person  by this  Article  shall  not be
exclusive of any other  rights  which such person may have or hereafter  acquire
under any statute,  provision of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation,
these bylaws,  agreement, vote of the stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.

         Any repeal or modification of the foregoing  provisions of this Article
shall not adversely  affect any right or  protection  hereunder of any person in
respect of any act or  omission  occurring  prior to the time of such  repeal or
modification.


<PAGE>



         6.2      INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

         The Corporation  shall have the power, to the maximum extent and in the
manner  permitted  by the  General  Corporation  Law of Delaware as the same now
exists or may  hereafter  be  amended,  to  indemnify  any  person  (other  than
directors and officers) against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines,  and amounts  paid in  settlement  actually  and  reasonably  incurred in
connection  with  any  threatened,   pending  or  completed  action,   suit,  or
proceeding, in which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party by reason of the fact that such  person is or was an  employee or agent of
the  Corporation.  For purposes of this Section 6.2, an "employee" or "agent" of
the Corporation (other than a director or officer) shall mean any person (i) who
is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at
the request of the  Corporation as an employee or agent of another  corporation,
partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  or (iii)  who was an
employee or agent of a corporation  which was a predecessor  corporation  of the
Corporation  or of  another  enterprise  at  the  request  of  such  predecessor
corporation.

         6.3      INSURANCE

         The  Corporation  may purchase and maintain  insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director,  officer, employee or agent of the Corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the  Corporation as a director,  officer,
employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture, trust or
other enterprise  against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred
by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such,
whether  or not the  Corporation  would have the power to  indemnify  him or her
against such liability  under the provisions of the General  Corporation  Law of
Delaware.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                               RECORDS AND REPORTS

         7.1      MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF RECORDS

         The Corporation shall,  either at its principal  executive office or at
such place or places as designated  by the Board of Directors,  keep a record of
its  stockholders  listing their names and addresses and the number and class of
shares  held by each  stockholder,  a copy of these  bylaws as  amended to date,
accounting books and other records of its business and properties.

         Any  stockholder  of record,  in person or by attorney or other  agent,
shall,  upon written  demand under oath  stating the purpose  thereof,  have the
right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper  purpose the
Corporation's stock ledger, a list of its stockholders,  and its other books and
records and to make copies or extracts therefrom.  A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder.  In every
instance  where an  attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to
inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power


<PAGE>



of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to
so act on behalf of the stockholder.  The demand under oath shall be directed to
the  Corporation at its registered  office in Delaware or at its principal place
of business.

         7.2      INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS

         Any  director  shall have the right to examine  (and to make copies of)
the  Corporation's  stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books
and  records  for a  purpose  reasonably  related  to his or her  position  as a
director.

         7.3      ANNUAL STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS

         The Board of Directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any
special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders,
a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the Corporation.

         7.4      REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS

         The Chairman of the Board,  if any, the President,  any vice president,
the Chief Financial  Officer,  the Secretary or any assistant  secretary of this
Corporation,  or any other  person  authorized  by the Board of Directors or the
President or a vice president,  is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on
behalf of this  Corporation  all  rights  incident  to any and all shares of the
stock of any other  corporation  or  corporations  standing  in the name of this
Corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person
directly  or by any  other  person  authorized  to do so by  proxy  or  power of
attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

         7.5      CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS

         The original or a copy of these bylaws, as amended or otherwise altered
to  date,  certified  by the  Secretary,  shall  be  kept  at the  Corporation's
principal  executive  office and shall be open to inspection by the stockholders
of the Corporation, at all reasonable times during office hours.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                 GENERAL MATTERS

         8.1      RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING

         For  purposes  of  determining  the  stockholders  entitled  to receive
payment of any dividend or other  distribution or allotment of any rights or the
stockholders  entitled  to  exercise  any rights in respect of any other  lawful
action,  the Board of Directors may fix, in advance,  a record date, which shall
not be more than sixty  (60) days  before any such  action.  In that case,  only
stockholders of record at the close


<PAGE>



of  business  on the  date so  fixed  are  entitled  to  receive  the  dividend,
distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may
be,  notwithstanding  any transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation
after the record  date so fixed,  except as  otherwise  provided  in the General
Corporation Law of Delaware.

         If the  Board of  Directors  does not so fix a  record  date,  then the
record date for  determining  stockholders  for any such purpose shall be at the
close  of  business  on  the  day on  which  the  Board  adopts  the  applicable
resolution.

         8.2      CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS

         From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine by resolution
which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for
payment of money,  notes or other evidences of  indebtedness  that are issued in
the name of or payable to the  Corporation,  and only the persons so  authorized
shall sign or endorse those instruments.

         8.3      CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS:  HOW EXECUTED

         The Board of Directors,  except as otherwise  provided in these bylaws,
may  authorize  any officer or officers,  or agent or agents,  to enter into any
contract  or  execute  any  instrument  in the  name  of and  on  behalf  of the
Corporation;  such  authority may be general or confined to specific  instances.
Unless so  authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency
power of an  officer,  no  officer,  agent or  employee  shall have any power or
authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

         8.4      STOCK CERTIFICATES; TRANSFER; PARTLY PAID SHARES

         The shares of the  Corporation  shall be represented  by  certificates,
provided  that  the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Corporation  may  provide  by
resolution  or  resolutions  that some or all of any or all classes or series of
its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to
shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the
Corporation.  Notwithstanding  the adoption of such a resolution by the Board of
Directors,  every holder of stock represented by certificates and, upon request,
every holder of uncertificated  shares,  shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed by, or in the name of the Corporation  by, the Chairman or  vice-chairman
of the  Board of  Directors,  or the  President  or  vice-president,  and by the
treasurer or an assistant treasurer,  or the Secretary or an assistant secretary
of such corporation  representing the number of shares registered in certificate
form. Any or all of the  signatures on the  certificate  may be a facsimile.  In
case any officer,  transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature  has been placed  upon a  certificate  has ceased to be such  officer,
transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued,  it may be issued
by the  Corporation  with the same  effect  as if he or she were  such  officer,
transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

         Certificates  for shares  shall be of such form and device as the Board
of Directors  may designate and shall state the name of the record holder of the
shares represented thereby; its number; date of


<PAGE>



issuance;  the number of shares for which it is issued;  a summary  statement or
reference to the powers,  designations,  preferences  or other special rights of
such  stock  and  the  qualifications,   limitations  or  restrictions  of  such
preferences  and/or rights,  if any; a statement or summary of liens,  if any; a
conspicuous notice of restrictions upon transfer or registration of transfer, if
any; a statement as to any applicable  voting trust agreement;  if the shares be
assessable,  or, if  assessments  are  collectible by personal  action,  a plain
statement of such facts.

         Upon surrender to the Secretary or transfer agent of the Corporation of
a certificate  for shares duly  endorsed or  accompanied  by proper  evidence of
succession,  assignment  or authority  to transfer,  it shall be the duty of the
Corporation to issue a new  certificate to the person entitled  thereto,  cancel
the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

         The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly
paid and  subject  to call for the  remainder  of the  consideration  to be paid
therefor.  Upon the face or back of each stock  certificate  issued to represent
any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Corporation in
the  case  of  uncertificated  partly  paid  shares,  the  total  amount  of the
consideration  to be paid  therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated.
Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Corporation shall
declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class,  but only upon the
basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

         8.5      SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

         If the  Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock
or more than one series of any class,  then the powers,  the  designations,  the
preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of
each class of stock or series  thereof and the  qualifications,  limitations  or
restrictions  of such  preferences  and/or  rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the  certificate  that the  Corporation  shall
issue to  represent  such  class or series of stock;  provided,  however,  that,
except as otherwise  provided in Section 202 of the General  Corporation  Law of
Delaware,  in lieu of the foregoing  requirements  there may be set forth on the
face or back of the certificate  that the  Corporation  shall issue to represent
such class or series of stock a  statement  that the  Corporation  will  furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations,
the  preferences  and the  relative,  participating,  optional or other  special
rights  of each  class  of  stock  or  series  thereof  and the  qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

         8.6      LOST CERTIFICATES

         Except as provided in this Section 8.6, no new  certificates for shares
shall be issued to replace a previously issued  certificate unless the latter is
surrendered  to the  Corporation  and  canceled  at the same time.  The Board of
Directors  may,  in case any  share  certificate  or  certificate  for any other
security is lost,  stolen or destroyed,  authorize  the issuance of  replacement
certificates  on such terms and  conditions as the Board may require;  the Board
may  require  indemnification  of the  Corporation  secured  by a bond or  other
adequate security  sufficient to protect the Corporation  against any claim that
may be made

<PAGE>


against it, including any expense or liability,  on account of the alleged loss,
theft or  destruction  of the  certificate  or the  issuance of the  replacement
certificate.

         8.7      TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS

         The Board of  Directors  may  appoint  one or more  transfer  agents or
transfer  clerks,  and  one or  more  registrars,  each  of  which  shall  be an
incorporated  bank or trust company -- either domestic or foreign,  who shall be
appointed at such times and places as the  requirements  of the  Corporation may
necessitate and the Board of Directors may designate.

         8.8      CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

         Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of
construction,  and definitions in the General  Corporation Law of Delaware shall
govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this
provision,  the singular number includes the plural,  the plural number includes
the singular,  and the term "person"  includes both a corporation  and a natural
person.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   AMENDMENTS

         The original or other bylaws of the Corporation may be adopted, amended
or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote or by the Board of Directors of
the  Corporation.  The fact  that  such  power  has been so  conferred  upon the
directors shall not divest the  stockholders of the power, nor limit their power
to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

         Whenever an  amendment  or new bylaw is adopted,  it shall be copied in
the book of bylaws with the original  bylaws,  in the appropriate  place. If any
bylaw is repealed,  the fact of repeal with the date of the meeting at which the
repeal was enacted or the filing of the operative  written  consent(s)  shall be
stated in said book.



                           PMC-SIERRA, INC. (PORTLAND)
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


         1.       Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of  this Stock Option Plan
                  are:

         -        to  attract  and  retain  the  best  available  personnel  for
                  positions of substantial responsibility,

         -        to provide additional  incentive to Employees and Consultants,
                  and

         -        to promote the success of the Company's business.

Options  granted under the Plan may be Incentive  Stock Options or  Nonstatutory
Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.

         2.       Definitions.  As used herein, the following  definitions shall
                  apply:

                  (a)      "Administrator"   means  the  Board  or  any  of  its
Committees as shall be  administering  the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of
the Plan.

                  (b)      "Applicable   Laws"  means  the  legal   requirements
relating to the  administration  of stock option plans under state corporate and
securities laws and the Code.

                  (c)      "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  (d)      "Code"  means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended.

                  (e)      "Committee" means a Committee  appointed by the Board
in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

                  (f)      "Common  Stock" means the Common Stock of PMC-Sierra,
Inc.

                  (g)      "Company"  means  PMC-Sierra,   Inc.  (Portland),   a
Delaware corporation.

                  (h)      "PMC" means PMC-Sierra, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                  (i)      "Consultant" means any person,  including an advisor,
Sales  Representative  or  Distributor  engaged  by the  Company  or a Parent or
Subsidiary to render services and who is compensated for such services, provided
that the term  "Consultant"  shall  not  include  Directors  who are paid only a
director's  fee by the  Company or who are not  compensated  by the  Company for
their services as Directors.



<PAGE>
                  (j)      "Continuous  Status  as an  Employee,  Consultant  or
Outside Director" means that the employment, consulting or director relationship
with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary is not  interrupted  or terminated.
Continuous  Status as an Employee,  Consultant or Outside  Director shall not be
considered  interrupted in the case of: (i) any leave of absence approved by the
Company,  including sick leave,  military  leave,  or any other personal  leave;
provided,  however,  that for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave
may exceed ninety (90) days,  unless  reemployment  upon the  expiration of such
leave is guaranteed by contract (including certain Company policies) or statute;
provided,  further, that on the ninety-first (91st) day of any such leave (where
reemployment is not guaranteed by contract or statute) the Optionee's  Incentive
Stock Option shall cease to be treated as an Incentive  Stock Option and will be
treated for tax  purposes as a  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option;  or (ii)  transfers
between  locations  of the  Company or between  the  Company,  its  Parent,  its
Subsidiaries or its successor.

                  (k)      "Director" means a member of the Board or a member of
the board of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary of Company.

                  (l)      "Disability" means total and permanent  disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

                  (m)      "Employee" means any person,  including  Officers and
Directors,  employed by the Company or any Parent or  Subsidiary of the Company.
Neither  service as a Director  nor payment of a  director's  fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

                  (n)      "Exchange Act" means the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  (o)      "Fair Market Value" means,  as of any date, the value
of Common Stock determined as follows:

                           (i)      If  the  Common   Stock  is  listed  on  any
established  stock  exchange  or a national  market  system,  including  without
limitation the National Market System of the National  Association of Securities
Dealers,  Inc. Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, the Fair Market Value of a
Share of Common  Stock shall be the  closing  sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or
the exchange with the greatest  volume of trading in Common Stock) on the day of
determination,  as reported in The Wall Street  Journal or such other  source as
the Administrator deems reliable;

                           (ii)     If the Common  Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ
System (but not on the National Market System thereof) or is regularly quoted by
a recognized  securities  dealer but selling  prices are not reported,  the Fair
Market  Value of a Share of Common  Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low  asked  prices  for the  Common  Stock on the day of  determination,  as
reported in The Wall Street  Journal or such other  source as the  Administrator
deems reliable; or


<PAGE>
                           (iii)    In the absence of an established  market for
the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

                  (p)      "Incentive  Stock Option" means an Option intended to
qualify as an incentive  stock  option  within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (q)      "Nonstatutory  Stock  Option"  means  an  Option  not
intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

                  (r)      "Notice of Grant" means a written  notice  evidencing
certain terms and conditions of an individual  Option grant. The Notice of Grant
is part of the Option Agreement.

                  (s)      "Officer"  means a person  who is an  officer  of the
Company  within the meaning of Section 16 of the  Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (t)      "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the
Plan.

                  (u)      "Option  Agreement" means a written agreement between
the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.

                  (v)      "Option  Exchange  Program"  means a program  whereby
outstanding  options  are  surrendered  in  exchange  for  options  with a lower
exercise price.

                  (w)      "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option.

                  (x)      "Optionee"  means an Employee,  Consultant or Outside
Director who holds an outstanding Option.

                  (y)      "Outside  Director"  shall mean a Director who is not
an Employee of the Company.

                  (z)      "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                  (aa)     "Plan" means this 1996 Stock Option Plan.

                  (bb)     "Rule  16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or
any successor to Rule 16b-3,  as in effect when  discretion  is being  exercised
with respect to the Plan.

                  (cc)     "Share"  means  a  share  of  the  Common  Stock,  as
adjusted in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.


<PAGE>




                  (dd)     "Subsidiary"   means  a   "subsidiary   corporation",
whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

         3.       Stock  Subject  to the  Plan.  Subject  to the  provisions  of
Section 12 of the Plan,  the  maximum  aggregate  number of Shares  which may be
optioned  and  sold  under  the  Plan  is  450,000  Shares.  The  Shares  may be
authorized,  but unissued,  or  reacquired  Common  Stock.  However,  should the
Company  reacquire  Shares  which were  issued  pursuant  to the  exercise of an
Option, such Shares shall not become available for future grant under the Plan.

                  If an Option expires or becomes  unexercisable  without having
been  exercised  in full,  or is  surrendered  pursuant  to an  Option  Exchange
Program,  the  unpurchased  Shares  which  were  subject  thereto  shall  become
available  for  future  grant  or sale  under  the  Plan  (unless  the  Plan has
terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under
the Plan,  upon  exercise  of an Option,  shall not be  returned to the Plan and
shall not become available for future  distribution under the Plan. For purposes
of the  preceding  sentence,  voting rights shall not be considered a benefit of
Share ownership.

         4.       Administration of the Plan.

                  (a)      Procedure.

                           (i)      Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted
by Rule 16b-3,  the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to
Directors,  Officers  who are  not  Directors,  and  Employees  who are  neither
Directors nor Officers.

                           (ii)     Administration With Respect to Directors and
Officers  Subject to  Section  16(b).  With  respect  to Option  grants  made to
Employees  who are also  Officers or Directors  subject to Section  16(b) of the
Exchange Act, the Plan shall be  administered by (A) the Board, if the Board may
administer  the Plan in compliance  with the rules  governing a plan intended to
qualify as a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3, or (B) a committee  designated
by the Board to administer  the Plan,  which  committee  shall be constituted to
comply with the rules  governing a plan  intended to qualify as a  discretionary
plan under Rule 16b-3. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in
its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time
the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members,
remove  members  (with or  without  cause)  and  substitute  new  members,  fill
vacancies  (however  caused),  and  remove  all  members  of the  Committee  and
thereafter  directly  administer  the Plan,  all to the extent  permitted by the
rules  governing a plan intended to qualify as a  discretionary  plan under Rule
16b-3.

                           (iii)    Administration   With   Respect   to   Other
Persons.  With respect to Option grants made to Employees or Consultants who are
neither Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by
(A) the Board or (B) a committee  designated by the Board, which committee shall
be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such



<PAGE>



Committee shall serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board.  The Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint  additional
members, remove members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill
vacancies  (however  caused),  and  remove  all  members  of the  Committee  and
thereafter  directly  administer  the  Plan,  all to  the  extent  permitted  by
Applicable Laws.

                  (b)      Powers   of  the   Administrator.   Subject   to  the
provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee,  subject to the specific
duties delegated by the Board to such Committee,  the  Administrator  shall have
the authority, in its discretion:

                           (i)      to  determine  the Fair Market  Value of the
Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(n) of the Plan;

                           (ii)     to select the  Consultants  and Employees to
whom Options may be granted hereunder;

                           (iii)    to  determine  whether  and to  what  extent
Options are granted hereunder;

                           (iv)     to determine  the number of shares of Common
Stock to be covered by each Option granted hereunder;

                           (v)      to approve  forms of agreement for use under
the Plan;

                           (vi)     to determine the terms and  conditions,  not
inconsistent  with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted  hereunder.  Such
terms and conditions  include,  but are not limited to, the exercise price,  the
time or times when Options may be exercised  (which may be based on  performance
criteria),  any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture  restrictions,  and
any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto,  based in each case on such factors as the  Administrator,  in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

                           (vii)    to reduce the  exercise  price of any Option
to the then  current  Fair Market  Value if the Fair Market  Value of the Common
Stock covered by such Option shall have  declined  since the date the Option was
granted;

                           (viii)   to construe and  interpret  the terms of the
Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                           (ix)     to  prescribe,  amend and rescind  rules and
regulations  relating to the Plan,  including rules and regulations  relating to
sub-plans  established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;

                           (x)      to modify or amend each  Option  (subject to
Section 14(c) of the Plan);



<PAGE>



                           (xi)     to authorize any person to execute on behalf
of the  Company  any  instrument  required  to  effect  the  grant of an  Option
previously granted by the Administrator;

                           (xii)    to institute an Option Exchange Program;

                           (xiii)   to  determine  the  terms  and  restrictions
applicable to Options; and

                           (xiv)    to  make  all  other  determinations  deemed
necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

                  (c)      Effect    of    Administrator's     Decision.     The
Administrator's decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and
binding on all Optionees and any other holders of Options.

         5.       Eligibility.

                  (a)      Nonstatutory   Stock   Options   may  be  granted  to
Employees  and  Consultants.  Incentive  Stock  Options  may be granted  only to
Employees.  Options  may  also be  granted  to  Outside  Directors  but  only in
accordance  with the provisions of Section 5(b) hereof.  Subject to Section 5(b)
with respect to Outside Directors,  if otherwise  eligible,  an Optionee who has
been granted an Option may be granted additional Options.


                  (b)      The  provisions  set forth in this Section 5(b) shall
not be amended  more than once  every six  months,  other  than to comport  with
changes in the Code,  the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as
amended, or the rules thereunder.

         6.       Limitations.

                  (a)      Each  Option  shall be  designated  in the  Notice of
Grant as either  an  Incentive  Stock  Option or a  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option.
However,  notwithstanding  such  designations,  to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value of Shares  subject to an  Optionee's  incentive  stock options
granted by the Company,  any Parent or Subsidiary,  which become exercisable for
the first time during any  calendar  year (under all plans of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000,  such excess Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options.  For purposes of this Section 6(a),  Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant.

                  (b)      Neither the Plan nor any Option  shall confer upon an
Optionee any right with  respect to  continuing  the  Optionee's  employment  or
consulting  relationship  with the Company,  nor shall they interfere in any way
with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.




<PAGE>
                  (c)      The  following  limitations  shall apply to grants of
Options to Employees:

                           (i)      No Employee shall be granted,  in any fiscal
year of the Company, Options to purchase more than 450,000 Shares.

                           (ii)     The foregoing  limitation  shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as
described in Section 12(a).

                           (iii)    If an  Option  is  canceled  (other  than in
connection with a transaction described in Section 12), the canceled Option will
be counted against the limit set forth in Section 6(c)(i).  For this purpose, if
the exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

         7.       Term of Plan.  Subject  to  Section  18 of the Plan,  the Plan
shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board or
its  approval by the  stockholders  of the Company as described in Section 18 of
the Plan.  It shall  continue  in  effect  for a term of ten (10)  years  unless
terminated earlier under Section 14 of the Plan.

         8.       Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Notice of  Grant;  provided,  however,  that in the case of an  Incentive  Stock
Option,  the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter
term as may be  provided  in the  Notice of Grant.  Moreover,  in the case of an
Incentive  Stock Option  granted to an Optionee  who, at the time the  Incentive
Stock Option is granted,  owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the  voting  power of all  classes  of stock of the  Company  or any  Parent  or
Subsidiary,  the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from
the date of grant or such  shorter  term as may be  provided  in the  Notice  of
Grant.

         9.       Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

                  (a)      Exercise Price.  The per share exercise price for the
Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:

                           (i)      In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                                    (A)     granted to an  Employee  who, at the
time the Incentive Stock Option is granted,  owns stock  representing  more than
ten percent  (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
any Parent or  Subsidiary,  the per Share  exercise  price shall be no less than
110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                                    (B)     granted to any  Employee  other than
an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market  Value per Share on the date
of grant.



<PAGE>
                           (ii)        the case of a Nonstatutory  Stock Option,
the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.

                  (b)      Waiting  Period and  Exercise  Dates.  At the time an
Option is  granted,  the  Administrator  shall fix the period  within  which the
Option  may be  exercised  and shall  determine  any  conditions  which  must be
satisfied before the Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may
specify that an Option may not be exercised  until the  completion  of a service
period.

                  (c)      Form  of  Consideration.   The  Administrator   shall
determine  the  acceptable  form of  consideration  for  exercising  an  Option,
including the method of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option,  the
Administrator  shall determine the acceptable form of  consideration at the time
of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

                           (i)      cash;

                           (ii)     check;

                           (iii)    promissory note;

                           (iv)     other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares
acquired  upon  exercise of an option,  have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of  surrender,  and (B) have a Fair Market  Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate  exercise price of the Shares as to
which said Option shall be exercised;

                           (v)      delivery  of a  properly  executed  exercise
notice  together  with such other  documentation  as the  Administrator  and the
broker,  if  applicable,  shall  require to effect an exercise of the Option and
delivery  to the  Company  of the  sale or  loan  proceeds  required  to pay the
exercise price;

                           (vi)     a  reduction  in the  amount of any  Company
liability  to  the  Optionee,   including  any  liability  attributable  to  the
Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored  deferred compensation program
or arrangement;

                           (vii)    any combination of the foregoing  methods of
payment; or

                           (viii)   such  other   consideration  and  method  of
payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

         10.      Exercise of Option.


<PAGE>
                  (a)      Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a stockholder.  Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan
and at such times and under such  conditions as determined by the  Administrator
and set forth in the Option Agreement.

                           An Option may not be  exercised  for a fraction  of a
Share.

                           An Option shall be deemed  exercised when the Company
receives:  (i)  written  notice  of  exercise  (in  accordance  with the  Option
Agreement)  from the person  entitled  to  exercise  the  Option,  and (ii) full
payment  for the Shares  with  respect to which the  Option is  exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator  and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon  exercise of an Option  shall be issued in the name of the  Optionee or, if
requested  by the  Optionee,  in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the stock  certificate  evidencing  such Shares is issued (as evidenced by
the  appropriate  entry on the  books  of the  Company  or of a duly  authorized
transfer  agent of the  Company),  no right to vote or receive  dividends or any
other rights as a  stockholder  shall exist with respect to the Optioned  Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock  certificate  promptly  after the Option is exercised.  No
adjustment  will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock  certificate  is issued,  except as  provided  in
Section 12 of the Plan.

                           Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares  thereafter  available,  both for  purposes of the Plan and for
sale  under the  Option,  by the  number  of  Shares  as to which the  Option is
exercised.

                  (b)      Termination  of  Employment,  Consulting  or  Outside
Director Relationship. Upon termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee,  Consultant  or Outside  Director (but not in the event of a change of
status  from  Employee  to  Consultant  or  Outside  Director  (in which case an
Employee's Incentive Stock Option shall automatically  convert to a Nonstatutory
Stock Option on the ninety-first  (91st) day following such change of status) or
from Consultant or Outside Director to Employee), other than upon the Optionee's
death or  Disability,  the Optionee  may  exercise  his or her Option,  but only
within such period of time as is specified  in the Notice of Grant,  and only to
the  extent  that  the  Optionee  was  entitled  to  exercise  it at the date of
termination  (but in no  event  later  than the  expiration  of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant).  In the absence of a specified time
in the  Notice  of  Grant,  the  Option  shall  remain  exercisable  for 90 days
following the  Optionee's  termination  of  Continuous  Status as an Employee or
Consultant.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such period of time shall
not exceed  ninety  (90) days from the date of  termination.  If, at the date of
termination,  the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option,
the Shares  covered by the  unexercisable  portion of the Option shall revert to
the Plan.  If,  after  termination,  the  Optionee  does not exercise his or her
Option  within  the  time  specified  by the  Administrator,  the  Option  shall
terminate,  and the Shares  covered  by such  Option  shall  revert to the Plan.
Notwithstanding   the  foregoing,   Options   granted  in  connection  with  the
acquisition of assets of Bipolar Integrated  Technology,  Inc. shall be governed
by the provisions concerning events upon termination of Employment stated in the
option agreements evidencing such Options.



<PAGE>
                  (c)      Disability   of  Optionee.   In  the  event  that  an
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result
of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option at any
time within  twelve (12) months from the date of such  termination,  but only to
the extent  that the  Optionee  was  entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination  (but in no  event  later  than the  expiration  of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). If, at the date of termination, the
Optionee  is not  entitled  to  exercise  his or her entire  Option,  the Shares
covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If,
after  termination,  the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the
time specified  herein,  the Option shall  terminate,  and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.

                  (d)      Death of  Optionee.  In the  event of the death of an
Optionee,  the Option may be  exercised  at any time  within  twelve (12) months
following  the date of death (but in no event later than the  expiration  of the
term of such  Option as set forth in the  Notice of  Grant),  by the  Optionee's
estate or by a person who  acquired  the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or  inheritance,  but only to the  extent  that the  Optionee  was  entitled  to
exercise the Option at the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee
was not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unexercisable  portion of the Option shall  immediately  revert to the Plan. If,
after  death,  the  Optionee's  estate  or a person  who  acquired  the right to
exercise  the Option by  bequest or  inheritance  does not  exercise  the Option
within the time specified  herein,  the Option shall  terminate,  and the Shares
covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

                  (e)      Rule 16b-3. Options granted to individuals subject to
Section 16 of the  Exchange  Act  ("Insiders")  must comply with the  applicable
provisions  of Rule  16b-3 and  shall  contain  such  additional  conditions  or
restrictions as may be required  thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption
from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan transactions.

         11.      Non-Transferability  of  Options.  An Option  may not be sold,
pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other
than by will or by the laws of descent  or  distribution  and may be  exercised,
during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

         12.      Adjustments  Upon  Changes  in  Capitalization,   Dissolution,
Merger, Asset Sale or Change of Control.

                  (a)      Changes in  Capitalization.  Subject to any  required
action by the stockholders of the Company,  the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each  outstanding  Option,  and the number of shares of Common  Stock
which  have  been  authorized  for  issuance  under  the Plan but as to which no
Options  have yet been  granted  or which  have been  returned  to the Plan upon
cancellation  or  expiration  of an  Option,  as well as the  price per share of
Common Stock covered by each such outstanding  Option,  shall be proportionately
adjusted for any  increase or decrease in the number of issued  shares of Common
Stock  resulting  from a stock  split,  reverse  stock  split,  stock  dividend,
combination or  reclassification  of the Common Stock,  or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of  consideration  by the Company;  provided,  however,  that  conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not



<PAGE>
be  deemed  to have been  "effected  without  receipt  of  consideration."  Such
adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall
be final,  binding and  conclusive.  Except as  expressly  provided  herein,  no
issuance  by the  Company  of  shares  of  stock  of any  class,  or  securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class,  shall affect,  and no adjustment
by reason  thereof  shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares
of Common Stock subject to an Option.

                  (b)      Dissolution  or  Liquidation.  In  the  event  of the
proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option
has not been previously  exercised,  it will terminate  immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action. The Board may, in the exercise of its sole
discretion in such  instances,  declare that any Option shall  terminate as of a
date fixed by the Board and give each  Optionee the right to exercise his or her
Option as to all or any part of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which
the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.

                  (c)      Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another  corporation,  or the sale of substantially  all of
the  assets  of the  Company,  each  outstanding  Option  that  was  granted  as
substitution  of  non-qualified  options  to  purchase  common  stock of Bipolar
Integrated  Technology,  Inc.  shall  become  exercisable  immediately  upon the
closing  of such  transaction  as to all or a  portion  of the  Optioned  Stock,
including  Shares as to which it would not otherwise be  exercisable.  Any other
outstanding  Option  and  each  Stock  Purchase  Right  shall be  assumed  or an
equivalent option or right shall be substituted by the successor  corporation or
a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor  corporation.  The Administrator may, in
lieu of such  assumption or  substitution,  provide for the Optionee to have the
right to exercise the Option or Stock  Purchase  Right as to all or a portion of
the  Optioned  Stock,  including  Shares as to which it would not  otherwise  be
exercisable.  If the  Administrator  makes an  Option  or Stock  Purchase  Right
exercisable  in lieu of assumption or  substitution  in the event of a merger or
sale of assets,  the Administrator  shall notify the Optionee that the Option or
Stock  Purchase  Right shall be fully  exercisable  for a period of fifteen (15)
days from the date of such notice,  and the Option or Stock  Purchase Right will
terminate  upon  the  expiration  of  such  period.  For  the  purposes  of this
paragraph,  the Option or Stock Purchase  Right shall be considered  assumed if,
following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to
purchase,  for each  Share of  Optioned  Stock  subject  to the  Option or Stock
Purchase  Right  immediately  prior  to  the  merger  or  sale  of  assets,  the
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in
the merger or sale of assets by  holders of Common  Stock for each Share held on
the effective date of the  transaction  (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration,  the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Shares); provided,  however, that if such consideration received
in the  merger or sale of assets was not solely  common  stock of the  successor
corporation  or its  Parent,  the  Administrator  may,  with the  consent of the
successor  corporation,  provide for the  consideration  to be received upon the
exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option or Stock Purchase  Right, to be solely common stock of the
successor  corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share
consideration  received  by  holders  of Common  Stock in the  merger or sale of
assets.


<PAGE>
         13.      Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option  shall be,  for
all  purposes,  the date on which  the  Administrator  makes  the  determination
granting  such  Option,  or  such  other  later  date  as is  determined  by the
Administrator.  Notice of the  determination  shall be provided to each Optionee
within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

         14.      Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

                  (a)      Amendment and Termination.  The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

                  (b)      Stockholder   Approval.   The  Company  shall  obtain
stockholder  approval of any Plan  amendment  to the extent  necessary to comply
with  Section  422 of the  Code  (or any  successor  rule or  statute  or  other
applicable law, rule or regulation,  including the  requirements of any exchange
or  quotation  system on which the  Common  Stock is  listed  or  quoted).  Such
stockholder  approval,  if  required,  shall be obtained in such a manner and to
such a degree as is required by the applicable law, rule or regulation.

                  (c)      Effect of Amendment  or  Termination.  No  amendment,
alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any
Optionee,  unless  mutually  agreed  otherwise  between  the  Optionee  and  the
Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and
the Company.

         15.      Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

                  (a)      Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant
to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance
and delivery of such Shares shall  comply with all relevant  provisions  of law,
including,  without  limitation,  the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, Applicable Laws,
and the  requirements  of any stock exchange or quotation  system upon which the
Shares  may then be  listed  or  quoted,  and shall be  further  subject  to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

                  (b)      Investment  Representations.  As a  condition  to the
exercise of an Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option
to represent  and warrant at the time of any such  exercise  that the Shares are
being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute  such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel  for the  Company,  such a
representation is required.


<PAGE>
         16.      Liability of Company.

                  (a)      Inability to Obtain  Authority.  The inability of the
Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction,  which
authority  is deemed by the  Company's  counsel  to be  necessary  to the lawful
issuance  and sale of any Shares  hereunder,  shall  relieve  the Company of any
liability  in  respect of the  failure to issue or sell such  Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

                  (b)      Grants  Exceeding  Allotted  Shares.  If the Optioned
Stock  covered  by an Option  exceeds,  as of the date of grant,  the  number of
Shares  which  may be  issued  under  the Plan  without  additional  stockholder
approval,  such Option shall be void with respect to such excess Optioned Stock,
unless stockholder approval of an amendment  sufficiently  increasing the number
of Shares  subject to the Plan is timely  obtained in  accordance  with  Section
14(b) of the Plan.

         17.      Reservation  of Shares.  The Company,  during the term of this
Plan,  will at all times  reserve  and keep  available  such number of Shares as
shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.





                                PMC-SIERRA, INC.
                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES


1.    PMC-Sierra Ltd., organized  under the laws of Canada,  doing business only
      under its official name.

2.    PMC-Sierra,  Inc. (Portland), organized under the laws of Delaware,  doing
      business only under its official name.

3.    PMC-Sierra,  Inc.  (U.S.),  organized under the laws of Washington,  doing
      business only under its official name.

4.    Sierra  Semiconductor  B.V.,  organized under the laws of The Netherlands,
      doing business only under its official name.




               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  Registration  Statements
(Form S-3 Nos. 33-86930, 33-90392, 33-96620, 33-97490 and 333-15519), and in the
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 33-41027, 33-80988, 333-13387,  33-80992,
33-94790,  333-13359,  333-34671 and 333-13357)  pertaining to the 1991 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, the 1994  Incentive  Stock Plan, and the  PMC-Sierra,  Inc.
(Portland)  1996  Stock  Option  Plan  of  PMC-Sierra,   Inc.  (formerly  Sierra
Semiconductor Corporation) and in the related Prospectuses,  of our report dated
January 22, 1997,  with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and
schedule  of  PMC-Sierra,   Inc.  (formerly  Sierra  Semiconductor  Corporation)
included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997.


                                             /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Jose, California
March 19, 1998




               CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  Registration  Statements
(Form S-3 Nos. 33-86930, 33-90392, 33-96620, 33-97490 and 333-15519), and in the
Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 33-41027, 33-80988, 333-13387,  33-80992,
33-94790, 333-13359, 333-34671, 333-13357) pertaining to the 1991 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, the 1994 Incentive Stock Plan and the PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Portland)
1996 Stock Option Plan of PMC-Sierra,  Inc. and in the related Prospectuses,  of
our report dated January 22, 1998,  with respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements and schedule of PMC-Sierra, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche

Vancouver, B.C.
March 16, 1998






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