Magis Licenses ARM Processor Core

SAN DIEGO, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Magis Networks, Inc., a leader in 802.11a wireless chipsets, today announced it has licensed a processor core from ARM for use in its first generation of chipsets for wireless 5 GHz networking. ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY - News)] is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions. Magis develops chipsets that enable wireless communications of high-quality video, TCP/IP data, and audio throughout the home and office.

"ARM is the leading provider of semiconductor intellectual property (IP) in the world," said Clarence Bruckner, president and CEO of Magis Networks, Inc. "By licensing its processor core technology, Magis is ensured of acquiring high quality IP that is consistent with our own development efforts, significantly reducing development time, and receiving an outstanding system of support from ARM and its partners."

Magis' licensing agreement falls under the ARM Foundry Program which enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and fabless semiconductor companies in emerging markets to gain access to ARM® processor technology for use in the design and manufacture of advanced system-on-chip (SoC) solutions.

"ARM has a strong presence in the wireless and consumer electronics markets," said Mike Muller, Chief Technology Officer for ARM. "We see Magis as a member of the new vanguard of semiconductor companies that is pushing the envelope on technologies that will serve the fast growing wireless data and video networking markets."

Magis develops chipsets for wireless unified networks that enable the simultaneous distribution of TCP/IP data, high-quality video, and audio throughout the home and office. The company's products are based on its Air5(TM) technology which supports flexible wireless connections at bit rates up to 54 Mbps using the clear 5 GHz frequency band. Now multiple streams of cable and satellite digital video and audio can be distributed wirelessly while maintaining their original quality. This same network supports TCP/IP data throughput at ten times the performance of 802.11b.

About Magis' Air5(TM) Technology

The architecture of Magis' Air5(TM) technology encompasses IEEE 802.11a, HiperLAN2, and Wireless 1394 standards. Leveraging the advantages of the 5 GHz frequency band and Magis' advanced RF design techniques, this technology enables Magis' chipsets to exceed the performance, coverage, and range of other 5 GHz and 802.11b products. This advanced design also achieves a high level of integration, thereby significantly reducing build costs to manufacturers, and enabling them to quickly bring 5GHz wireless networking products to market.

Applications for Magis chipsets include digital cable set-top boxes and gateways, cable modems, satellite receivers, PCs, laptops and PDAs, and consumer electronics equipment such as televisions, personal video recorders (PVRs), DVDs, Internet appliances, and gaming consoles.

    Key Air5(TM) Technology Points
    --  Flexible, high-performance wireless products
        --  Up to 54 Mbps bit rate operating in the clear 5 GHz frequency band
        --  Supports multiple streams of data, video, and audio
            --  TCP/IP data throughput at 10 times 802.11b
            --  Cable and satellite digital video and audio
    --  Meets the quality of service (QoS) requirements of HDTV
        broadcast-quality video, DVD, wireline voice, and CD-quality audio
    --  3X range of competing networks -- up to 40 Mbps throughput at up to
        250 feet (75 meters)
    --  Single unified network
        --  Scalable system architecture capable of supporting low- and
            high-data rate applications -- one network for data, video, and
            audio
    --  Standards-based design
    --  Air5(TM) platform built upon 802.11a, HiperLAN2, and Wireless
        1394 standards

About Magis Networks

Magis Networks, Inc., a leader in wireless broadband semiconductors, develops products that enable wireless communication of TCP/IP data, video, and audio throughout the home and office. Products being developed by Magis support a unified 5 GHz network capable of delivering multiple streams of content simultaneously, including HDTV and Internet data, at connection speeds up to 54 Mbps. The company is funded by AOL Time Warner, Hitachi, Motorola, Panasonic, Vulcan Inc., Bay Partners, Crescendo Ventures, CDIB, China Investment and Development Company, and WK Technology Fund. For more information about Magis, please visit the company web site at www.magisnetworks.com .