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MIPS Technologies MIPS32 4Km Core Selected As Standard By THALES Communications For Low-Power, High-Performance Security Access Devices
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2001--
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:MIPS; Nasdaq:MIPSB - ), a leading
provider of industry standard processor architectures and cores for
digital consumer and network applications, today announced that THALES
Communications (formerly Thomson-CSF Communications) has taken a
license for the 32-bit MIPS32(TM) 4Km(TM) processor core for
low-power, high-performance security access devices. THALES
Communications, one of the world's leading suppliers of electronics
for defense and professional applications in information and
communications systems, will be using the core in ASICs (application
specific integrated circuits) for security applications.
``We benchmarked cores from most of the leading suppliers of
embedded processor cores,'' said Bernard Candaele, ASIC & EDA
department manager at THALES Communications. ``The 4Km core evaluation
results fulfilled our needs for a high-performance core to run the
security algorithms. Normally, a coprocessor core would be required as
well as a core to process the intensive calculations that the
algorithms require, but this 32-bit core is powerful enough on its
own. No coprocessor means that the ASIC is smaller, less expensive to
make and runs on less power. Low power consumption is a clear
advantage of the MIPS core.
``The other critical factor was that the MIPS architecture is
configurable. We can select our own parameters to enhance the
performance for this security application, while still being compliant
with the MIPS architecture specifications. Because of the security
aspects of the application, we can keep these enhancements totally
in-house without affecting our ability to use the vast wealth of third
party tools that are available for working with the MIPS architecture
such as compilers and debuggers.''
The SoC (System on Chip) Excellence Centre of THALES
Communications intends to standardize on the MIPS architecture and use
it for other applications such as wireless, networking and security.
John Hall, Vice President of MIPS Technologies' European
Operations, commented, ``This is a significant win for MIPS
Technologies and the French team, as it is the second license deal to
be signed with a French company; the first being Gemplus, which was
for a high-performance, low-power smartcard application. THALES
Communications is highly respected in France and for it to choose MIPS
Technologies as a standard will open the door for other French
companies to follow suit. We recently opened our French offices so
that we can provide the local sales and support that are so important
for companies when they commit to an embedded processor architecture.''
About THALES Communications
THALES Communications is a subsidiary of THALES, a group ranking
among the top European companies and the world leader in professional
electronics on three business segments: Defense, Aeronautics,
Information Technology and Services.
As a designer, prime contractor, integrator and value-added
service provider, THALES Communications is the architect of the
defense communications and information systems needed by customers to
meet all the operational needs of their land, air and naval forces.
This comprehensive approach is the key to effective tri-service
integration and allied interoperability in the field.
Since the acquisition of the British company Racal Electronics,
THALES Communications has become the world leader in defense
communications, a market that is growing after the civil
communications market, with a few years delay.
Present in 14 countries, THALES Communications achieves a turnover
around 1.5 billion euros and employs 9,000 persons over the world.
www.thales-communications.com
About MIPS Technologies
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard
processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and network
applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance
that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company
licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC
developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer
the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom,
semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is based in
Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at 650/567-5000 or
www.mips.com.
Note to Editors: MIPS® is a registered trademark in the United
States and one or more other countries, and MIPS32(TM) and 4Km(TM) are
trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks referred to
herein are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
MIPS Technologies, Inc.
Gerry Ziegler, 650/567-5059
zig@mips.com
or
The Hoffman Agency (for U.S. press)
Gustavo Santoyo, 408/286-2611
gsantoyo@hoffman.com
or
Vortex Public Relations (for European press)
Nigel Robson, +44 1481 233080
nigel@vortexpr.com
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