Renesas Technology Selects ARM11 MPCore Technology

New agreement further proliferates ARM technology in the consumer entertainment market

TOKYO, JAPAN AND CAMBRIDGE, UK – Feb. 23, 2006 – Renesas Technology  Corp., a designer and manufacturer of highly-integrated semiconductor system solutions for automotive, mobile and PC/AV markets, and ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], today announced that Renesas has licensed the ARM11™ MPCore™ multiprocessor, enabling the company to produce and sell Large Scale Integrated (LSI) semiconductor solutions incorporating the ARM® processor.

As computing moves into an era of ubiquitous networks, superior processing power is becoming critical for driving new features in PCs, digital electronics, and mobile telephones.  However, as improved performance requires greater processing speeds, processors have a tendency to exceed power-consumption tolerances.  One solution currently gaining ground is the multi-core chip architecture, in which multiple CPU cores are mounted on a single chip.  By licensing the ARM11 MPCore processor, Renesas can significantly expand its SoC core line-up.

“In its bid to create innovative, comprehensive solutions, Renesas Technology has been developing buses and memory architectures that deliver high-speed data transmission and memory, as well as software and middleware that drive these systems’ performance, based on CPU cores and IP systems,” said Hideo Inayoshi, senior vice president and executive general manager of Renesas Technology’s Systems Solution Business Group. “While Renesas Technology already offers powerful SuperH™ CPU cores, in response to our customers’ requests for a broader product range we are complementing our products with ARM’s proven line of processors.  Our partnership with ARM gives us an optimal solution, enabling us to provide a wide range of CPUs from both Renesas Technology and other manufacturers.”

“The choice by Renesas Technology, a world leader in technology, to license the ARM11 MPCore symmetrical multiprocessor further proliferates the adoption of ARM’s industry-leading technology,” said Takafumi Nishijima, president of ARM K.K. “The MPCore processor is clearly an outstanding solution for the growing consumer device market, as well as other markets that require multimedia processing and simultaneous operation of multiple applications.  This licensing agreement will play a key role in accelerating adoption of ARM processor technology in Japan and throughout the world.”

Renesas Technology previously licensed the ARM946E-S™ processor and the ARM1136JF-S™ processor.  As part of Renesas’ multicore strategy, the present licensing agreement forms part of Renesas Technology’s bid to broaden its product portfolio in addition to its own CPU core processors and offer customers greater choice.

The ARM11 MPCore processor’s open architecture is a proven solution.  Its solid development environment, including test chips and an evaluation board, enables developers to create robust system solutions quickly.  Renesas plans to roll out its first products using the ARM11 MPCore processor in 2008, with a primary focus on digital home electronics and office-automation systems.

As multicore architectures assume ever-increasing importance in a fast-changing market, ARM and Renesas Technology view their partnership as a key to their success.  Renesas Technology’s leadership in advanced SoC marketing, development, and mass production is ideal for ARM’s advanced CPU core technologies.  This forms a solid basis for the companies’ collaboration in the development of pioneering semiconductor products.

About Renesas Technology Corp.
Renesas Technology Corp. is one of the world’s leading semiconductor system solutions providers for mobile, automotive and PC/AV (Audio Visual) markets and the world’s No.1 supplier of microcontrollers. It is also a leading provider of LCD Driver ICs, Smart Card microcontrollers, RF-ICs, High Power Amplifiers, Mixed Signal ICs, System-on-Chip (SoC), System-in-Package (SiP) and more. Established in 2003 as a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, NYSE:HIT) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE:6503), Renesas Technology achieved consolidated revenue of 1002.4 billion JPY in FY2004 (end of March 2005). Renesas Technology is based in Tokyo, Japan and has a global network of manufacturing, design and sales operations in around 20 countries with about 26,000 employees worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

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