MIPS Technologies and IHP Cooperate in Wireless Broadband Communication Research

IHP Selects High Performance Next-Generation 32-Bit Synthesizable Core for Development of 5-GHz WLAN Processors

FRANKFURT, Germany, February 19, 2002 -- IHP, a leading microelectronics innovation center focused on wireless and broadband communications has licensed the new high-performance, low-power, 32-bit core (MIPS32T 4KEpT) from MIPS Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and network applications. The MIPS Technologies core is being used to develop 5-GHz wireless LAN (WLAN) processors as part of IHP's Wireless Broadband Network (WBN) activities.

The MIPS32 4KET family offers the highest performance available in synthesizable 32-bit cores, with more than 1.35 DMIPS/MHz, which is more than 20 percent higher than that of competitive cores. For low-power applications, it offers configurable features that give systems-on-chip (SOC) designers the ability to minimize power consumption, making it a compelling solution for a wide range of communications products, both wired and wireless.

"The MIPS32 4KEp core offers a substantial power/performance advantage over the other cores we have evaluated," said Professor Abbas Ourmazd, director of IHP. "It will be used in conjunction with our hardware accelerators for implementing the protocol stack for 5-GHz WLAN modems, with very high-speed computational demands and limited battery power. As part of the Wireless Broadband Network activity at the IHP, the 4KE core will help us advance the state of the art in wireless communications."
"IHP is driving the next generation of wireless communications, and MIPS Technologies is proud to be a key contributor of core technology to their efforts," said John Hall, vice president of European operations at MIPS Technologies. "The 4KEp core gives IHP a widely supported, industry-standard solution that delivers the performance necessary to handle next-generation features such as high-speed multimedia. At the same time, it gives IHP the flexibility to keep power consumption and product costs down."

About IHP
IHP (www.ihp-microelectronics.com)Innovations for High Performance microelectronics is an R&D center in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. IHP's core competencies include communication systems design, RF circuit design, and advanced process technologies. IHP consists of approximately 200 R&D professionals working in a recently completed facility, including a state-of-the-art 200-mm pilot line. IHP offers a best-in-class SiGe:C BiCMOS MPW and prototyping service with device speeds of up to 140 GHz, including system and circuit IPs. IHP is located at Im Technologiepark 25, 15236 Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. For more information, contact: Dr. Wolfgang Mehr, Director, Strategic Marketing IHP(+49 335 562 5154) mehr@ihp-microelectronics.com

About MIPS Technologies
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and network applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is based in Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at +1 (650) 567-5000 or www.mips.com.

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MIPS is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, and MIPS32, 4KET and 4KEp are trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.