VCX TradeFloor tools link the engineering, procurement and legal functions of buyers and sellers with a common toolset and language via the Internet. Using industry standards, alignment of data evaluation, access and contracting protocols between buyers and sellers dramatically accelerates the speed of semiconductor IP (SIP) transactions, helping to deliver more products to market in less time.

VariCore EPGAs are SRAM-based IP cores used in application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and application specific standard product (ASSP) system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices to help speed these products to market and increase the life of those products once in the market. VariCore is a complete front-to-back-end embedded ``soft hardware'' reprogrammable core family available on SRAM-based 0.18-micron CMOS technology that adds tremendous flexibility and reduced design risk to ASIC and ASSP SoC designs.

``VCX's made-to-order member list of IP buyers and its special expertise in global marketing, distribution and contractual management for the semiconductor industry fit closely with Actel's needs,'' stated Dr. Yankin Tanurhan, senior director of Actel's embedded FPGA effort. ``We are happy to partner with VCX to make VariCore more accessible to leading electronics companies around the world.''

``The VCX TradeFloor Listing is expanding every day and is delivering real benefits to the industry,'' said Andy Travers, CEO of the Virtual Component Exchange. ``Actel will add its name to an impressive list of members, IP vendors and integrators. At a time when the industry is facing severe challenges, the VCX solution is helping companies to continue to develop new products, while saving time and money in the process.''

About VCX

The Virtual Component Exchange is a unique Business-to-Business (B2B) software and E-commerce organization focused on producing Internet tools for trading Intellectual Property. It has already delivered the first regulated exchange for trading Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP): the VCX TradeFloor.

Powered by VCX TransactionWare(TM), the TradeFloor tools link the Engineering, Procurement and Legal functions of both Buyers and Sellers with a common toolset and language. Alignment of data evaluation, access and contracting protocols between Buyers and Sellers, using industry standards, dramatically accelerates the speed of SIP transactions, fulfilling the common business imperative of getting more products to market in shorter time cycles. Distributed Internet access to the VCX TradeFloor is provided through the VCX Gateway -- distributing VC data and transaction agents to the web-based market, extending the reach and value for Buyers and Sellers alike. To find out more about the VCX TradeFloor, accessing the VCX market channel, or simply to browse the VCX Public Listing, visit the web site at http://www.thevcx.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.