EX-4.3 4 ex4_3.txt TELCOM SEMICONDUCTOR 1996 EMP. STCK. PURCH. PLAN Exhibit 4.3 TELCOM SEMICONDUCTOR, INC. 1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN (as amended on April 22, 1999) 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 of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's business. Options granted under this Plan may be incentive stock options (as defined under Section 422 of the Code) or nonstatutory stock options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an option and subject to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. 2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply: (a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan. (b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. (c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (d) "COMMITTEE" means the Committee appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with paragraph (a) of Section 4 of the Plan. (e) "COMPANY" means TelCom Semiconductor, Inc., a Delaware corporation (formerly named TelCom Universal, Inc.). (f) "CONSULTANT" means any person who is engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, and any member of the Board of Directors of the Company whether compensated for such services or not. (g) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE" means the absence of any interruption or termination of the employment relationship by the Company or any Subsidiary. Continuous Status as an Employee shall not be considered interrupted in the case of: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board, including sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave; provided, however, that for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, such leave is for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless provided otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from time to time; or (ii) in the case of transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Subsidiaries or its successor. (h) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including officers and directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment of a director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company. (i) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (j) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the Stock determined as follows: (i) If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system including, without limitation, the National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value 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 Stock for the last market trading day prior to the time of determination) as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) If the Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not on the National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high and low asked prices for the Stock or; (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator. (k) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. (l) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. (m) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan. (n) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Stock subject to an Option. (o) "OPTIONEE" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an Option. (p) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code. (q) "PLAN" means this 1994 Stock Option Plan. (r) "SHARE" means a share of the Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan. (s) "STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company; 2 (t) "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 number of shares of Stock which may be optioned and sold under the Plan is 5,300,000 shares. The shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Stock. If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for future grant under the Plan. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. (a) PROCEDURE. (i) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. With respect to grants of Options to Employees who are also officers or directors of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board if the Board may administer the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor thereto ("Rule 16b-3") with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan, or (B) a Committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to permit the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3 with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan. 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 thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3 with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan. (ii) MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. If permitted by Rule 16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to directors, nondirector officers and Employees who are neither directors nor officers. (iii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO CONSULTANTS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES. With respect to grants of Options 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 in such a manner as to satisfy the legal requirements relating to the administration of incentive stock option plans, if any, of the corporate and securities laws of California and of the Code (the "Applicable Laws"). 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 thereof, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws. 3 (b) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and in the case of a Committee, 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 Stock, in accordance with Section 2(j) of the Plan; (ii) to select the officers, Consultants and Employees to whom Options may from time to time be granted hereunder; (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are granted hereunder; (iv) to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by each such award 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 (including, but not limited to, the share price and any restriction or limitation, or waiver of forfeiture restrictions regarding any Option or other award and/or the shares of Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion); (vii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be bought-out for cash under subsection 9(f); (viii) to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the participant (including providing for and determining the amount, if any, of any deemed earnings on any deferred amount during any deferral period); and (ix) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Stock covered by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was granted. (c) EFFECT OF COMMITTEE'S DECISION. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all Optionees and any other holders of any Options. 5. ELIGIBILITY. (a) Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option may, if he is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options. 4 (b) Each Option shall be designated in the written option agreement 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 the Shares with respect to which Options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee 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. (c) For purposes of Section 5(b), 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 the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. (d) The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his right or the Company's right to terminate his employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause. (e) 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 250,000 Shares. (ii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in Section 12 hereof. (iii) If an Option is canceled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 12 hereof, the canceled Option will be counted against the limit set forth in Section 5(e) hereof. 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. 6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the stockholders of the Company as described in Section 18 of the Plan. It shall continue in effect until February 9, 2004, unless sooner terminated under Section 14 of the Plan. 7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that such term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement. However, in the case of an Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the 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 Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement. 5 8. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION. (a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Board, but shall be subject to the following: (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, 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, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option (A) granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of such Option, 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 the grant. (B) granted to any person, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other shares of the Company's capital stock which (x) in the case of shares of the Company's capital stock acquired upon exercise of an Option either have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company, and (y) 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, (5) authorization from the Company to retain from the total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised, (6) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price, (7) by delivering an irrevocable subscription agreement for the Shares which irrevocably obligates the option holder to take and pay for the Shares not more than twelve months after the date of delivery of the subscription agreement, (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment, (9) or such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws. 6 9. EXERCISE OF OPTION. (a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Board, including performance criteria with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms of the Plan. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option shall be deemed to be exercised, and the Optionee deemed to be a shareholder of the shares being purchased upon exercise, when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the Plan. Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be 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. In the event of termination of an Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee with the Company (as the case may be), such Optionee may, within thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time as is determined by the Board, with such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of grant of the Option and not exceeding ninety (90) days) after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise his Option to the extent that Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. (c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(b) above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of his disability, Optionee may, but only within six (6) months from the date of such termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if such disability is not a "disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option shall automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three months and one day following such termination. To the extent that Optionee is not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled 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 date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), 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 the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to 7 exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. (e) RULE 16b-3. Options granted to persons subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act must comply with 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. (f) BUYOUT PROVISIONS. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made. 10. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. The 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. 11. STOCK WITHHOLDING TO SATISFY WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS. At the discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in connection with an Option, which tax liability is subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable tax laws, the Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date"). All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions: (a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date; (b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular Shares of the Option as to which the election is made; (c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the Administrator; (d) if the Optionee is subject to Rule 16b-3, the election must comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall be subject to 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. In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an Optionee and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised but such 8 Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date. 12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION OR MERGER. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option, and the number of Shares 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 Stock covered by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not 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 Stock subject to an Option. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation. In the event that such successor corporation does not agree to assume the Option or to substitute an equivalent option, the Option shall terminate. 13. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS. The date of grant of an Option shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option, or such other date as is determined by the Board. Notice of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an Option is so granted 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 discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation, including the requirements of the NASD or an established stock exchange), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required. 9 (b) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. Any such amendment or termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company. 15. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES. 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 pursuant thereto 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, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. 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 by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law. 16. 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. 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. 17. AGREEMENTS. Options shall be evidenced by written agreements in such form as the Board shall approve from time to time. 18. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law. 19. INFORMATION TO OPTIONEES. The Company shall provide to each Optionee, not less frequently than annually, copies of annual financial statements. The Company shall also provide such statements to each individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan while such individual owns such Shares. The Company shall not be required to provide such statements to key employees whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent information. 10 TELCOM SEMICONDUCTOR, INC. 1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT 1. GRANT OF OPTION. Telcom Semiconductor, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the "Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase a total number of shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option. If designated an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code. 2. EXERCISE OF OPTION. This Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Exercise Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows: (i) RIGHT TO EXERCISE. (a) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share. (b) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other termination of employment, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections 5, 6 and 7 below, subject to the limitation contained in subsection 2(i)(c). (c) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant. (ii) METHOD OF EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable by written notice (in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A) which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price. No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares. 3. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by cash, check or delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price. 4. RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. This Option may not be exercised (i) until such time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or (ii) if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G") as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation. 5. TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP. In the event of termination of Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Optionee may, to the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. 6. DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the event of termination of Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of disability, Optionee may, but only within six (6) months from the date of such termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if such disability is not a "disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option shall automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three months and one day following such termination. To the extent that Optionee is not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan. 7. DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of 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 date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 9 below), by Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at the date of death. 8. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee. 9. TERM OF OPTION. This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to this Option. 2 10. TAXATION UPON EXERCISE OF OPTION. Optionee understands that, upon exercising a nonstatutory Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then fair market value of the Shares over the exercise price. However, the timing of this income recognition may be deferred for up to six months if Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). If the Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation, or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income. Additionally, the Optionee may at some point be required to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to the disqualifying disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. The Optionee shall satisfy his or her tax withholding obligation arising upon the exercise of this Option by one or some combination of the following methods: (i) by cash payment, or (ii) out of Optionee's current compensation, or (iii) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, by surrendering to the Company, Shares which (a) in the case of Shares previously acquired from the Company, 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 or less than Optionee's marginal tax rate times the ordinary income recognized, (iv) by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option that number of Shares having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld. For this purpose, the fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date"). If the Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act (an "Insider"), any surrender of previously owned Shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3") and shall be subject to 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. All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions: (a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date; (b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular Shares of the Option as to which the election is made; (c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the Administrator; (d) if the Optionee is an Insider, the election must comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall be subject to 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. 3 11. TAX CONSEQUENCES. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date of this Option of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES. (i) EXERCISE OF ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will be no regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise. (ii) EXERCISE OF NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION. If this Option does not qualify as an ISO, there may be a regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise. (iii) DISPOSITION OF SHARES. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within such one-year period or within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. (iv) NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION OF ISO SHARES. If the Option granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by the Optionee from the early disposition by payment in cash or out of the current earnings paid to the Optionee. 4 Telcom Semiconductor, Inc. a Delaware Corporation By: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: ----------------------------------------------------------------- OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH HIS OR HER RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE. Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and certain information related thereto and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan. Dated: -------------------------------------- Optionee: ----------------------------------- 5 EXHIBIT A 1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN EXERCISE NOTICE Telcom Semiconductor, Inc. 1300 Terra Bella Avenue Mountain View, CA 94036-7267 Attention: 1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Effective as of today, ___________, 19__, the undersigned ("OPTIONEE") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to purchase _________ shares of the Common Stock (the "SHARES") of Telcom Semiconductor, Inc. (the "COMPANY") under and pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "PLAN") and the [ ] Incentive [ ] Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated ________ (the "OPTION AGREEMENT"). 2. REPRESENTATIONS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions. Optionee represents that Optionee is purchasing the Shares for Optionee's own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, a distribution of any of such Shares. 3. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Optionee understands and acknowledges that notwithstanding any other provision of the Option Agreement to the contrary, the exercise of any rights to purchase any Shares is expressly conditioned upon compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), all applicable state securities laws and all applicable requirements of any stock exchange or over the counter market on which the Company's Common Stock may be listed or traded at the time of exercise and transfer. Optionee agrees to cooperate with the Company to ensure compliance with such laws. 4. RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Optionee shall have all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Shares from and after the date that Optionee delivers full payment of the Exercise Price until such time as Optionee disposes of the Shares. 5. TAX CONSULTATION. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice. 6. RESTRICTIVE LEGEND AND STOP-TRANSFER ORDERS. (a) LEGEND. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legend set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by state or federal securities laws: THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A MARKET STANDOFF PROVISION AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH MARKET STANDOFF PROVISION IS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES. (b) STOP-TRANSFER NOTICES. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records. (c) REFUSAL TO TRANSFER. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred. 7. MARKET STANDOFF AGREEMENT. Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the 1933 Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company during the period of time (not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act that is agreed to by the Company and such representatives of the underwriters as the lock-up period for the public offering effected pursuant to such registration statement; provided, however, that such restriction shall only apply to the first two registration statements of the Company to become effective under the 1933 Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period of time. 8. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. 9. INTERPRETATION. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Company's Board of Directors or the committee thereof that administers the Plan, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Board or committee shall be final and binding on the Company and on Optionee. 10. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable. 7 11. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party. 12. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. 13. DELIVERY OF PAYMENT. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares. 14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Plan, Option Agreement and Notice of Stock Option Grant are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Notice of Grant/Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and is governed by California law except for that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws. Submitted by: Accepted by: OPTIONEE: TELCOM SEMICONDUCTOR, INC. By: ----------------------------------- Title: ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- (Signature) ADDRESS: ADDRESS: ------- ------- 1300 Terra Bella Avenue ---------------------------------- Mountain View, CA 94036-7267 ----------------------------------