ARC's Patented Configurable Processor Technology Adopted by UPEK for Next-Generation Biometric Security Applications

UPEK Licenses ARC™ 625D Configurable Processor for Use in TouchStrip Fingerprint Authentication Solutions

ELSTREE, England, September 6, 2005 – ARC International (LSE: ARK) today announced that UPEK®, Inc., a leading supplier of biometric fingerprint security solutions, has expanded its use of ARC’s patented configurable CPU technology by taking a license for the ARC™ 625D processor core. UPEK will use this low power ARC core to develop its next-generation line of TouchStrip™ fingerprint authentication products.

UPEK chose the configurable ARC 625D core because of its small die size, low power consumption and ability to configure proprietary solutions. By leveraging the power of ARC’s configurable technology, UPEK’s design team has the ability to add custom instructions to the core’s integer pipeline, ensuring its TouchStrip solutions are highly differentiated and meet the stringent security requirements of the biometric applications market. UPEK’s TouchStrip technology offers proven authentication and password management capabilities, and has become the leading standard in biometric security for a broad range of devices ranging from notebook computers to USB flash drives and portable hard drives.

Giovanni Gozzini, director of hardware development at UPEK, said, “ARC’s configurable CPU technology allows our designers to tailor UPEK’s next-generation TouchStrip products to meet critical security, cost and power needs of our customers.”

“UPEK’s increased use of ARC’s technology is the latest example of the growing adoption of configurable CPUs in high-volume embedded markets,” said Derek Meyer, vice president of sales and marketing at ARC International. “The 625D core offers UPEK the ability to create a low power, ARC-Based solution that is unique to them, ensuring their next-generation line of TouchStrip products will remain differentiated from competitive offerings.”

About UPEK’s TouchStrip Technology
UPEK’s TouchStrip fingerprint authentication solution is a compact silicon-based strip sensor for acquisition of fingerprint data, combined with a powerful ASIC for fingerprint matching and secure data transfer. It is a complete biometric subsystem that includes application programming interface (API) support and the availability of development kits to enable rapid integration and reduce development costs. This embedded biometric subsystem offers the highest level of security by providing the capability to perform template extraction and matching inside the module, eliminating the need for additional hardware. More information can be found at www.upek.com

The Configurable ARC 625D Processor Core
The ARC 625D processor core is a full-featured, mid-range embedded core with best-in-class speed, die area and power characteristics. It is designed as a complete processor solution for SoCs targeted at consumer, networking, automotive and other cost-sensitive markets. Moreover, the ARC 625D core’s flexible, configurable memory architecture makes it ideal for RTOS-based applications. Powerful DSP options enable it to perform more functions, eliminating separate logic or DSP blocks from the SoC. Optionally, custom instruction extensions may be incorporated to achieve application performance levels unattainable with fixed architecture cores.

About ARC International plc
ARC International is the world leader in low-power, high-performance 32-bit configurable CPU/DSP processor cores, subsystems, real-time operating systems and development tools for embedded system design. ARC’s patented configurable CPU technology assists customers in the development of next generation digital media, consumer and communications devices, resulting in lower cost, higher performance SoC products.

ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporate offices in San Jose, California, USA and Elstree, UK. The company has research and development offices located in England and the United States. For more information please visit the ARC website at: www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE: ARK).

ARC, the ARC logo and ARC-Based are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names contained herein are the property of their respective owners. This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For factors that could cause actual results to differ, visit the company’s Website as well as the listing particulars filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales.