Tektronix Selects ARC 600 RISC CPU/DSP

ARC’s tightly integrated hardware and software IP, tools and real-time operating system provide optimal solution for test, measurement, and instrumentation equipment manufacturer
 
SAN JOSE, Calif., August 30, 2004 – ARC International (LSE: ARK), a world leader in configurable RISC CPU/DSP processor cores and application platforms, today announced that Tektronix, Inc. (NYSE: TEK), a leading worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation equipment, has licensed the ARC 600 core, the ARC MQXÔ RTOS, MetaWare® development tools, and the MetaSim co-simulation tool for use in its next-generation products.
 
“The ARC 600 was selected over some tough competition based on its technical merits,” said Dave Brown, Vice President, Central Engineering, at Tektronix.  “In addition to the strengths of the core design, we were able to purchase a sophisticated bundled product that includes the configurable, extendible core, easy-to-use development and co-simulation tools, and an integrated RTOS.  This bundled package makes complete system-level design much easier and more efficient, and will save us both time and effort.”
 
The ARC 600 is a configurable, extendible RISC CPU/DSP processor that allows Tektronix to easily integrate its internal and third-party IP to provide the optimal high-performance SoC solution required for its broad range of industry leading products.  The ability to integrate existing IP will result in reduced silicon area as well as chip count over previous designs and providing Tektronix an overall reduction in system cost.
 
“Tektronix will use the ARC 600 core in its sophisticated instrumentation and measurement products that require leading-edge microprocessor and DSP technology,” said Derek Meyer, ARC Marketing Vice President. “The ARC 600 delivers maximum efficiency by providing a high performance low area multi-functional RISC CPU/DSP core, that can be configured to Tektronix’s exact product needs.”
 
Other features of importance to Tektronix include ARC’s extendable C/C++ complier and simulator that allow hardware/software tradeoffs to be made when adding instruction extensions, and the MetaSim™ integrated co-simulation system that allows engineers to perform high-speed system-level hardware/software co-verification for early firmware development.
 
ARC 600
The ARC 600 RISC CPU/DSP delivers similar performance to leading-edge DSP cores in a fraction of the area. By combining RISC and DSP functions within a single core, the ARC 600 can replace a dual processor system while dramatically reducing area and power. An added benefit is that software development for both CPU and DSP configurations can be done with one tool chain, enabling faster software development and quicker time-to-market.
 
The ARC 600 with DSP also provides optional high bandwidth XY memory to target higher performance applications. The DSP extensions fully utilize the ARC‘s 32-bit architecture and SIMD instructions to aid in accelerating functions such as Viterbi and FFT.
 
About Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc. is a test, measurement, and monitoring company providing measurement solutions to the communications, computer, and semiconductor industries worldwide. With more than 55 years of experience, Tektronix enables its customers to design, build, deploy, and manage next-generation global communications networks and advanced technologies. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix has operations in more than 19 countries worldwide. Tektronix' Web address is www.tektronix.com.

About ARC
ARC International is a world leader in low-power, high-performance 32-bit RISC CPU/DSP configurable processor cores, real-time operating systems and development tools for embedded system design. ARC's configurable and extendible cores assist customers in the development of next generation digital media, consumer and communications devices, resulting in lower cost, higher performance System-on-Chip products.
 
ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporate offices in Elstree, UK and San Jose, California, USA. The Company has research and development offices located in England and the United States. For more information please visit the ARC website at: www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE:ARK).
 
This press release may include "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed in the 'Investment Considerations' section of the Company’s web site as well as the listing particulars, dated 28 September 2000, filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
 
ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent, ARCangel, ARChitect, ARCform, and MetaWare are trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.
 
Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
 
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