Thomson and ARM Strengthen Their Integrated Circuit Strategies Through OptimoDE Partnership

Thomson licenses OptimoDE signal processing technology from ARM to improve performance and flexibility of its system-on-chip architectures

PARIS, FRANCE AND CAMBRIDGE, UK-  Nov. 3, 2004 - Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) and ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)] today announced that Thomson has licensed ARM® OptimoDETM signal processing technology for the development of broadcast video processing integrated circuits (ICs).

One of Thomson's strategic priorities is to focus on media technologies which meet the evolving needs of its media and entertainment clients. The fully configurable OptimoDE Data Engine technology will provide Thomson with the capability to speed up the design of ICs for next-generation integrated media and entertainment solutions. In particular, the wide range of ARM processors enables Thomson to design and develop common technology modules that are ported easily on new systems for different applications, optimizing the performance and cost competitiveness of high quality audio video broadcast devices.

The OptimoDE configurable intellectual property (IP) is designed to create embedded Data Engines which offer an unprecedented level of flexibility and reprogrammeability, enabliing developers to modify existing designs to address evolving product needs in a competitive and fast-changing technological environment.

"Thomson and ARM share a common dedication to providing innovative technologies that help maintain competitive advantage, and leverage advanced microprocessor technology to enable innovative broadcast applications," said Jean-Charles Hourcade, chief technology officer at Thomson. "The flexibility of the OptimoDE Data Engine will ensure that we can tackle current industry standards, such as AVC, and address emerging standards without sacrificing product quality or bearing the cost of complete product re-design."

"The processing requirements of professional broadcast applications are some of the most demanding in today's audiovisual market," said Tudor Brown, chief operating officer at ARM.  "OptimoDE Data Engines will set a standard for a new breed of flexible, low-cost video ICs which meet the demanding performance levels unachievable by conventional design approaches. The designer's ability to configure Data Engines to specific algorithms for high-end broadcast applications significantly decreases the price/performance ratio of these applications."

About OptimoDE Data Engines
ARM OptimoDE Data Engine technology is licensable intellectual property with an associated tool environment.  OptimoDE technology is a configurable VLIW-styled architecture targeted at high-performance embedded signal processing applications. The tool environment enables the designer to configure and extend the type and number of data path resource units. The size and topology of local storage and the level of interconnect are also fully configurable. OptimoDE Data Engines are programmed in either C or C++ and are provided with a sophisticated C compiler and profiling analysis tools.

About Thomson - Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, systems and services to help its Media & Entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimise their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group intends to become the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment industries by offering end-to-end solutions to content creators, video network operators and retailers through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and THOMSON brands. For more information:  http://www.thomson.net.

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, peripherals, software and tools, combined with the company's broad Partner community, provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. OptimoDE is a trademark of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V.