Phoenix's PCI Core Now Available Through the Sun Community Source Licensing Program

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Phoenix's PCI Core Now Available Through the Sun Community Source Licensing Program

MicroSPARC™ IIep Processor-Proven Intellectual Property Available Via the Web

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 14, 1999 - Phoenix Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:PTEC) - a worldwide leader in system-enabling software solutions for connected computers - today announced the availability of an encrypted version of its PCI intellectual property (IP) core via the Sun Community Source Licensing (SCSL) program. Phoenix's PCI bus controller core, implemented in Sun's microSPARC IIep processor design, has shipped in over eight million Sun-based systems.

"Sun utilized Phoenix's PCI core as part of our time-to-market strategy for quickly rolling out the microSPARC processor. In turn, we felt Phoenix's core and test environment were excellent candidates for the SCSL program, which allows developers to evaluate IP at no cost before implementing it into a design," stated Fadi Azhari, group marketing manager for SCSL and SPARC, Sun Microsystems. "Developers can simulate and test the microSPARC processor's PCI interface without the intricacies of traditional licensing models, which we believe will be a win-win for system developers and for participating IP suppliers."

Phoenix's 32-bit/33 MHz synthesizable PCI core and PCI test environment are provided as encrypted register transfer level (RTL) code, and can be downloaded via the Sun Community Source Licensing Web site (http://www.sun.com/microelectronics/communitysource). To implement the PCI core into a design, developers can license source code directly from Phoenix (http://www.phoenix.com/ipcores/suncsl). The licensing model includes a design licensing fee, and an annual support and maintenance fee.

"Phoenix has over 200 PCI core licensees, with Sun being one of our oldest PCI customers. As an early participant in the Sun Community Source Licensing program, we believe this is one way to overcome the perceived uncertainties of using IP," stated Wayne Cantwell, senior vice president and general manager, Semiconductor IP Division, Phoenix. "Allowing developers to 'test-drive' the IP without an up-front fee should very quickly prove the value of incorporating that component into their design."

Phoenix's Semiconductor Intellectual Property Cores
Phoenix, one of the original pioneers of standards-based semiconductor IP, is the leading independent developer of cores and system software for PCI, USB, IEEE 1394, Ethernet, AGP and IrDA. Phoenix's parameterized IP cores are architecture- and technology-independent, providing designers with maximum flexibility while ensuring OS compatibility and easy integration. Phoenix differentiates its product offering by subjecting its cores to the company's proprietary test methodology, a CPU-intensive verification suite that tests at the system-, random- and board-levels using millions of vectors. These pre-verified, silicon-proven cores allow design teams to quickly incorporate standards-based connectivity functions that deliver right-the-first-time performance. As designers look for solutions that enable complex system-on-chip and embedded system design, pre-verified IP cores provide significant time-to-market advantages. Phoenix's semiconductor IP cores and firmware can be found in over 450 innovative applications for the Internet, telecommunications, computer, consumer electronics, industrial and military/aerospace markets.

About Phoenix
Phoenix is a worldwide leader in BIOS software designed into more than 70 million PCs sold annually and in millions of other digital devices. Phoenix products and services play a critical role in linking computing and communication technologies for OEMs and for Internet service and content providers benefiting the information consumer. Phoenix is also the recognized industry leader in connectivity semiconductor software intellectual property (IP) cores and other connectivity standards. Phoenix's ebetween division's Internet strategy enables Internet service and content providers to better serve their customers. Founded in 1979, the international company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. Information about Phoenix and its products is available at www.phoenix.com.