VariCore IP is a complete front-to-back-end embedded ``soft hardware'' reprogrammable core family that adds tremendous flexibility and reduced design risk to ASIC and ASSP SoC designs. Chartered, one of the world's top three silicon foundries, provides optimized silicon manufacturing solutions that address the converging applications of communications, computing and consumer electronics. VariCore EPGA cores will be available for license directly to Chartered customers from Actel.

``ASIC and ASSP developers continue to demand reliable IP solutions that help them bring their chips to market faster,'' said Michael Buehler-Garcia, vice president of worldwide EDA and marketing at Chartered. ``As Actel's trusted foundry partner, Chartered is very excited to be working with Actel to provide our mutual customers with a flexible path to silicon.''

``Actel is pleased to add the VariCore product family to its long-standing relationship with Chartered,'' stated Dr. Yankin Tanurhan, director of embedded FPGA at Actel. ``Having Actel's 0.18-micron cores manufactured and verified in Chartered's proven process provides the SoC design community with an efficient and reliable path from IP selection through productization.''

A VariCore Developer's Kit containing an emulation board with the Chartered version of the 0.18-micron VariCore EPGA development chip for licensee circuit evaluation, debug and test is also available from Actel. The Developer's Kit, which is licensed and supported by Actel, includes a test chip, printed circuit board (PCB), liquid crystal display (LCD), interface hardware, test design and documentation. The VariCore Developer's Kit interfaces directly with the VariCore Compiler EPGA place and route design and SoC interface tool.

Architected specifically for ASIC and ASSP SoC applications, Actel's VariCore EPGA logic offers the smallest on-chip reprogrammable SoC die area, a better performance/die area than standard field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and a better performance/power ratio than standard software IP alternatives. A highly flexible and efficient embedded FPGA core architecture, Actel's VariCore also provides increased product longevity and decreased time to market, thereby helping ASIC and ASSP providers gain or retain their competitive advantage.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for VariCore EPGA cores will vary and follow a sliding scale model of license plus royalties. To contact Actel's VariCore group for more information, visit its web site at http://varicore.actel.com or send an email to varicore@actel.com.

About Actel

Actel Corporation is a supplier of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies and embedded-programmable gate arrays (EPGAs) based on SRAM technology, as well as high-performance intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design services. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Actel employs approximately 500 people worldwide. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACTL and is located at 955 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, California, 94086-4533. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Actel Internet: http://www.actel.com .

Additional information about VariCore is available on Actel's VariCore web site: http://varicore.actel.com .

NOTE: VariCore and EPGA are trademarks of Actel Corporation. The Actel name and logo are registered trademarks of Actel Corporation. All other trademarks and servicemarks are the property of their respective owners.

     Don Davis (reader contact)
     Actel Corporation
     408-522-4798
     don.davis@actel.com