Improv and Denali Team to Deliver MPEG4 Solution

New Platform Combines Customized Jazz DSP and Databahn memory system for  complete Media Processing Solution

Beverly, Mass; Palo Alto, Calif., Mar. 21, 2003---Improv Systems™, a pioneer in application-optimized DSPs, and Denali Software™, Inc., the leading provider of semiconductor intellectual property (SIP) and electronic design automation (EDA) tools for memory interface design and verification, today announced that they will jointly sell Improv's Jazz™ BMP (Broadcast-Quality Media Processor) Kits which provide drop-in processing subsystems for popular media applications. The Jazz BMP solution incorporates Denali's Databahn™ memory controllers for optimal memory system performance, and includes all applications software, tools, and verification suites for a complete drop-in solution targeted at high-end video applications.

Providing a single source for Improv and Denali products meets the needs of a growing segment of customers who want a streamlined process for acquiring best in class technologies for their SoC designs. "Many of our customers were already using Improv and Denali products in their designs," said Cary Ussery, president and CEO of Improv Systems, Inc. "It makes sense to simplify the acquisition process for end users. By doing this we can also provide a higher degree of integration and cost savings to those customers."

About Jazz BMP
The Jazz BMP kit includes a customized processor, applications software, complete verifications suites and integration blocks for broadcast quality media processing. Targeted at the growing market for high-end video applications, this kit provides the designer with a true drop-in solution for the multi-media requirements of home and automobile infotainment products. Jazz BMP is a platform that supports broadcast quality video and audio processing. It is the first low power solution to support the MPEG4 Advanced Simple Profile (ASP) suitable for broadcast quality video. It also provides the flexibility to support the emerging ITU H.26L standard that many industry experts feel will be the future standard for broadcast video. Support is also provided for the popular audio standards Dolby Digital, Dolby Prologic, and MPEG level 1,2,3 for both encode and decode. These standards support the industry's need for low bit rate, high performance codecs that enable applications such as Video on Demand (VOD) and Personal Video Recording (PVR).

Highlights of the Jazz BMP include D1 (NTSC/PAL) Video Decoding and Encoding including MPEG2 and MPEG4 Advanced Simple Profile, and High End Audio including MPEG L1/2/3 and Dolby Digital

Each of the Jazz BMP kits include:

Complete Application-Specific Cores

• Full RTL plus EDA Implementation Scripts (Timing-Based EDA Flow)
• Complete verification environment including test suites and emulation board
• Application Software (source code) for growth markets
• Application verification suite including test benches and test stimulus

SoC and Implementation Ready

• Denali Databahn memory system
• AMBA/AHB interface for instant integration into ARM & MIPS-based systems
• RTOS/OS Integration: Host API Software and Drivers

Excellent Software Development Environment

• Highly efficient optimizing compiler for C and Java
• Profiling and analysis tools for rapid software optimization
• Strong debug methodology from software spec to emulation to on-chip execution

About Databahn Memory Controller Cores
Licensed by over 35 leading semiconductor and system companies, Databahn is the industry leading memory controller IP solution. Databahn memory controller cores are configurable for a wide range of performance requirements and ASIC interfaces. To ensure compatibility with all the latest high-speed memory technologies, the configuration process is tightly integrated with Denali's database of memory component specifications, including all the latest DDRII-SDRAM, DDR-SDRAM, FCRAM, RLDRAM, and DDR/QDR-SRAM devices. Deliverables include: RTL and synthesis scripts, verification testbench, static timing analysis (STA) scripts, programmable register settings, and documentation. The silicon-proven Databahn IP is library independent and covers solutions from .18-micron to .08-micron technologies, and DRAM device frequencies from 100-400MHz (200-800MHz data rate).

About Improv Systems
Improv Systems, Inc. develops and licenses the Jazz PSATM platforms featuring the Jazz DSP and application solution kits for Voice-over-IP, Networking and Emerging Media. Improv's Jazz DSP is a configurable DSP that allows designers to create optimized DSP cores targeted to consumer electronics and telecommunications markets. Through the company's EnsembleTM Partners program, formed to help accelerate the use and integration of designer-defined DSPs in System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions, Improv customers have access to complementary products and services from companies such as ARM (ARMHY), MIPS Technologies (MIPS, MIPSB), Synopsys (SNPS), Cadence Design Systems (CDN); and Wind River Systems (WIND) among others.

About Denali Software, Inc.
Denali Software Inc. is the world's leading provider of EDA tools and Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP) solutions for chip interface design, integration, and verification. PureSpec is the most robust interface verification solution for bus protocol interfaces. Denali's Databahn product provides designers with the highest quality solution for producing memory controller cores for all of the new and emerging DRAM memory technologies. Denali's MMAV product is the de facto industry standard for modeling and simulating memory during all phases of design and verification. Memory selection, memory controller configuration, and memory system performance analysis are supported through Denali's online infrastructure at eMemory.com. More than 400 companies worldwide use Denali's tools, technology, and services to design and verify complex chip interfaces for communication, consumer, and computer products. For more information, please visit Denali at www.denali.com or contact Denali directly at: 650/461-7200, or email: info@denali.com

The Denali logo, Databahn, eMemory, MMAV, and PureSpec are trademarks of Denali Software, Inc. PCI Express is a trademark of PCI-SIG. Improv, Ensemble, designer-defined DSPs, Jazz DSP, Jazz PSA , Acappella and Crescendo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Improv Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.