Altium's New Compiler Technology to Deliver Compact, Fast Code for TriCore Developers

SYDNEY, Australia - February 18, 2003 - A new embedded software development toolset expected to increase execution speed and decrease code size up to 10% over the current TASKING TriCore toolset has been developed for Infineon's 32-bit TriCore architecture. Altium Limited (ASX: ALU), a leading developer of Windows-based electronic design and development software, has used its proprietary Viper™ compiler framework technology to produce a next-generation TASKING "VX-toolset" for the TriCore architecture. Altium's TASKING TriCore VX-toolset excels in performance of generated code, completeness of features and architecture support, and compliance with industry standards. The toolset is currently in beta testing and full public release is expected in April 2003.

"The TASKING TriCore VX-toolset is another state-of-the-art design tool from Altium that breaks down the barriers to innovation by giving developers easy access to the best possible development tools," says Harm-Andre Verhoef, Altium's product manager for TASKING TriCore products. "Thanks to our Viper technology, the TriCore VX-toolset compiler is better tailored to the architecture specifics and provides the level of execution speed, code density and stability critical for high-performance automotive, industrial and telematics applications."

"Altium has gone to great lengths to further improve their already outstanding TASKING TriCore tool chain," says Dr Sam Jenkins, compiler and benchmarking expert, Infineon Technologies, Bristol. "The introduction of this next-generation DSP-C compiler technology demonstrates their clear understanding of the requirements of TriCore developers, their commitment to the TriCore architecture, and underlines Altium's strong relationship with Infineon Technologies."

The new compiler in the VX-toolset has been built using Altium's Viper compiler development framework, which enables Altium engineers to develop sophisticated and mature compilers in a much shorter timeframe than is otherwise possible. The resulting compiler's extremely powerful optimization techniques enable generation of highly efficient code that is fast and compact, resulting in the highest execution speed at the smallest code size. TriCore developers benefit by gaining access to a highly efficient and technically advanced compiler that includes comprehensive and highly-optimized support for all features of the TriCore architecture.

To complement the new Viper compiler technology, the associate linker / locator technology has been upgraded to create a new target-independent linker which offers a range of benefits including improved integration with third-party products, a number of new optimizations and significantly enhanced Linker Script Language (LSL) that is more consistent and easier to grasp.

As with previous TASKING TriCore toolsets, the TASKING TriCore VX-toolset offers full TriCore 1 and 2 architecture and derivatives support, MISRA C code checking, and is fully compliant with the most recent TriCore EABI, and ISO C '99 industry standards. It also includes support for FPU, MMU, PCP1 and 2, and extended TriCore device support in the form of ready-prepared configurations and SFR-header files for the latest automotive/industrial microcontrollers, such are the TC1910 and TC1912.

Pricing and availability

The TASKING TriCore VX-toolset is a complete, integrated embedded software development toolset consisting of the TASKING EDE, C/C++/EC++ compiler, assembler, linker / locator and CrossView Pro OCDS / simulator debugger.

The official product release is expected for PC/Windows, PC/Linux and SUN/Solaris platforms in April 2003 and be priced at US$5,390 for the complete C/C++/EC++ compiler and debugger toolset.

Please visit www.tasking.com/products/tricore for more information on the TASKING TriCore VX-toolset, or go to www.tasking.com/company/contact.html for the details of your nearest Altium Sales & Support Center.

About Altium Limited

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU), trading as Protel International Limited (ASX: PRI) prior to August 6, 2001, is a leading global developer and supplier of desktop Electronic Design Automation (EDA) and embedded software design tools for the Microsoft Windows environment.

Since the company's foundation in 1985 and its release of the world's first Microsoft Windows-based EDA tool in 1991, Altium has continued to apply the most advanced software design methods to provide powerful, easy-to-use and affordable design software to engineers and electronics designers worldwide.

Altium's current product brands include Protel, P-CAD, TASKING, Accolade, CircuitMaker and CAMtastic!. These products offer tailored solutions covering a range of hardware and software design processes.

Altium is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and operates a number of sales and support offices in Australia, the United States, Japan and Europe, as well as maintaining a large reseller network in all other major markets. More information about the company and its products and services may be obtained from our website at www.altium.com.

Altium USA Media Contact
Sarah Seifert
Edelman
800 West El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040
USA
www.edelman.com
Telephone: +1 650 968 4033
Fax: +1 650 968 2201
Email: sarah.seifert@edelman.com

Corporate Media Contact
Jessica Maxwell
Altium Limited
Level 3, 12a Rodborough Road
Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086
Australia
www.altium.com
Telephone: +61 2 9975 7710
Fax: +61 2 9975 7720
Email: jessica.maxwell@altium.com.au

Altium, Protel DXP, DXP, Design Explorer, nVisage, P-CAD, TASKING, Accolade, CircuitMaker, CAMtastic, Situs and Topological Autorouting and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Altium Limited or its subsidiaries. All other registered or unregistered trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners, and no trademark rights to the same are claimed.