ChipX Partners with Beyond Semiconductor to Offer 32 bit Processors

Update: GigOptix, Inc. Announces Acquisition of ChipX (November 10, 2009)

Santa Clara, CA – May 10, 2007 – ChipX Incorporated, provider of the broadest range of next generation ASIC solutions, announced a partnership and license agreement with Beyond Semiconductor for a family of 32 bit processors.

Many custom designs require 32 bit processing power in order to run real time operating systems, process data or modify data on the fly. Although there are a number of 32 bit processor solutions available, these are often burdened with inflexible architectures or unfavorable licensing agreements.  With ChipX, designers can have access to the processor RTL for silicon validation in a FPGA and software development well in advance of the ASIC design.  This approach reduces risk, eliminates porting efforts from one processor architecture to another and speeds time to market.

The BA12 line of products consists of a 32 bit processor core that can be configured to include a Memory Management Unit (MMU), Power Management (PM), Instruction and Data Cache, basic peripherals as well as debug port, timers and serial port options. Initially, three pre-defined and pre-verified platforms are available from ChipX: BA12 (plain processor), Kiwi platform (BA12 with quick memory and serial port), and Hawk platform (BA12 with memory management and instruction and data caches and frequently required peripherals). Custom versions are available upon request.

Performance comparable to ARM9™ processors as well as extensive GNU tools’ support allows for complex software applications and eases software porting. ChipX and Beyond Semiconductor can offer software porting contract services for customers wishing to break free from other processor architectures.

The BA12 can be implemented on any ChipX ASIC product, and has been especially verified and optimized for use on ChipX Structured ASIC platforms, which offer reduced NRE and fast time to market. Performance exceeds 180MHz in 130nm Structured ASIC when implemented using standard place and route tools.

The BA12 line of 32 bit processors from Beyond Semiconductor is now available directly from ChipX for use in any ChipX portfolio product, including high volume Standard Cell ASIC, Embedded Array ASIC and Structured ASIC, with part prices starting below $1.

‘We are excited to offer our customers a silicon proven and powerful processor solution with early software development capability’ said Elie Massabki, VP of Marketing at ChipX, Incorporated. ‘Our goal is to provide cost effective and flexible processor solutions to our ASIC customers and our partner Beyond Semiconductor enables us to achieve this’.

‘ChipX offers the widest array of ASIC products on the market today. We have worked closely with the ChipX engineering team to optimize the BA12 processor to deliver efficient performance across the board’ said Damjan Lampret, VP Strategic Alliances at Beyond Semiconductor.  ‘ We were impressed with the level of knowledge at ChipX as well as the final performance numbers’.

For more information, contact ChipX at www.chipx.com

About ChipX

ChipX, Inc. is a pioneer and leader in the development and manufacturing of differentiated ASIC solutions, including Structured ASIC and Embedded Array technology.  The company's innovative, patented technology consolidates wafer production tooling, reduces time-to-market and minimizes the total cost to profit. ChipX products are widely used in consumer equipment, computing peripherals, communication systems, industrial control, medical equipment, instrumentation and military/aerospace systems.  Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, ChipX is a privately held corporation, founded in the U.S. in 1989. A subsidiary, ChipX (Israel) Ltd., performs Research & Development. Investors include Elron Electronic Industries, Ltd. (NASDQ: ELRN), VantagePoint Venture Partners, Wasserstein Venture Capital, Newlight Associates, Parker Price Venture Capital, UMC, Needham Capital Partners and Insite Capital.

About Beyond Semiconductor

Beyond Semiconductor is a privately held fabless semiconductor IP company supplying embedded processor IP technology for digital consumer, networking, personal entertainment, communications and industrial applications.
Beyond Semiconductor's comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit embedded RISC/DSP processors, software development tools, peripheral cores and complete reference platforms that enable Licensees to quickly start with product development.
Beyond Semiconductor is expanding its partner network by collaborating with leading EDA and software vendors to enable the widest possible choice of development flows, easiest integration, and fastest time-to-market for its Licensees.
For more information about Beyond Semiconductor products and services, please visit http://www.beyondsemi.com.