ARC's Scalable Processor Technology Chosen by Sun Microsystems
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2001--ARC International
plc (LSE:ARK), trading through its subsidiaries as ARC Cores, has
announced that Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW - news) will be using
ARC's processor technology in high-performance integrated circuits
that will be incorporated into a new range of high-end servers, as
part of a corporate licensing agreement signed in Q3 2001.
Sun's high-end server engineering group required a flexible open
architecture to address critical performance issues, while supporting
evolving specification and input/output subsystem requirements. ARC's
processor technology met that need.
John Brennan, vice president, hardware engineering, for the
enterprise systems products group, said, "We carried out an extensive
evaluation of the embedded processors currently available, and their
features. ARC has an established track record, multi-processor debug
and real time trace support, and an established and proven processor
tool chain."
ARC's user-customizable processor technology is ideally suited to
networking and interface applications, including those requiring
multiple processor implementations. Over thirty customers have
developed, or are developing networking devices; ARC's remaining
licensees are developing or have already introduced consumer products
and wireless products. In the networking space, the main benefits of
ARCtangent(TM) are the ease with which customers can implement
multiple processor architectures that improve performance, or obtain
greater efficiencies using custom instructions.
John Stockton, interim CEO of ARC, said, "ARC is continuing to win
approval from industry leaders, as this new license from Sun
Microsystems demonstrates. An increasing number of top tier companies
are taking out corporate or company-wide licensing agreements for many
reasons. They value the competitive advantage of the technology, its
scalability for future changes or requirements, and the ease with
which it is possible to differentiate the end-product solution."
Stockton adds, "ARC's track record with its platform IP
(intellectual property) approach is important. In an era where
standards are constantly evolving, original equipment manufacturers
need to be equipped with technology that allows them to meet those new
requirements swiftly. System-on-a-chip (SoCs) developers need more
than just IP -- they need the tools (eg. multi-processor debug),
software and relevant peripheral IP to accelerate designs. This is
what makes ARCtangent so attractive to SoC designers today."
About ARC International
ARC International plc is a leading developer of user-customizable,
high-performance 32-bit processor cores (including ARCtangent(TM)),
development tools, peripherals and other intellectual property (IP),
enabling reduced time to market for system-on-chip products. ARC's 58
customers include Conexant Systems, Cypress Semiconductor, Fujitsu
Microelectronics, IBM, Infineon Technologies, QLogic, SanDisk and Sun
Microsystems. Products based on ARC's technology include digital still
cameras, set-top boxes, and network processors. MetaWare Inc., Precise
Software Technologies Inc., and VAutomation Inc. are wholly owned
subsidiaries of ARC International, providing software development
tools, hardware and software intellectual property and real-time
operating systems for an integrated approach to system-on-chip
development. ARC's third-party partners include Cadence, Flextronics,
Intrinsix, Synopsys, TSMC, UMC, Wind River, and Xilinx.
ARC International plc and its group companies employ more than 200
people at its headquarters in Elstree, England, and in research and
development, sales, and marketing offices across North America,
Europe, and Israel. ARC International plc is listed on the London
Stock Exchange (LSE:ARK). The company's web site is at
www.arccores.com.
Statements made in this press release that are not historical
facts include forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ from those indicated by such forward-looking statements
include, among others, market acceptance of the ARC technology;
fluctuations in and unpredictability of the Company's quarterly
results; general economic and business conditions; regulatory policies
adopted by governmental authorities; assumptions regarding the
Company's future business strategy; changes in technology;
competition; ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; risks
associated with the Company's international operations; and other
uncertainties that are discussed in the "Investment Considerations"
section of the Company's listing particulars dated 28 September 2000
filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of
Companies in England and Wales.
Note to Editors: ARC International (UK) Ltd. and ARC Cores, Inc.,
both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of ARC International plc,
trade under the name of ARC Cores. ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent,
ARCangel, ARCompact, ARChitect, ARCform, BlueForm, and CASSEIA are
trademarks of ARC International (UK) Ltd. All other brands or product
names are the property of their respective holders.
Contact:
ARC Cores Ltd.
Nitin Dahad, +44 208-236-2800
nitin.dahad@arccores.com
or
BW&A Public Relations
Donna Wilson, 510/413-4994 ext. 101
donna@bwapr.com
