Nanjing Prochip Becomes ARM Approved Training Center for SoC Designers in China

NANJING, CHINA AND CAMBRIDGE, UK – Aug. 10, 2005 – Nanjing Prochip Electronic Technology Co., Ltd (Prochip), a system-on-chip (SoC) design and service company with investment from the Chinese National Software Base “Jiangsu Software Park,” and ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)] today announced that Prochip has been certified as an ARM® Approved Training Center (ATC). A spin-off of the Southeast University National ASIC Center that licensed the ARM7TDMI® processor through the ARM University Program in 2003, Prochip will focus on providing commercial training on ARM Powered®SoC design and ARM technology-based embedded system design to Chinese companies, particularly those who access ARM technology through the Foundry Program.

The rapidly developing Chinese IC industry has become a critical driving force for the global semiconductor industry. McKinsey & Company business consultancy predicts that revenue volume of the Chinese IC design industry will reach USD 10 billion by 2010.

Along with this growth, more and more Chinese engineers continue to standardize on ARM Powered system design and development platforms. This point was reflected in a recent EDN China Embedded Systems Developer Survey, which showed that the ARM architecture has become the most popular choice among Chinese embedded system developers(see:http://www.ednchina.com/UpItem/download/embedded_english.pdf).

This strong demand for the ARM architecture raises a strong industry need to ensure adequate training and services are available for ARM Powered SoC design for local engineers – particularly those accessing ARM technology via the DesignStart™ Program. Through Prochip becoming an ARM ATC, this challenge is solved by providing a strong training resource for the ARM community.

“All of our trainers are ARM technology experts, gaining comprehensive training experience through the Southeast University ASIC Center, which licensed the ARM7TDMI processor in 2003 for design and training,” said Mr. Ling Ming, general manager of Prochip. “This certification will enable Prochip to dedicate its approved training capability of SoC design to Chinese companies who are committed to developing ARM Powered systems.”

“The Approved Training Center will be a tremendous resource in enabling us to further strengthen our already strong ARM ecosystem in China,” said Dr. Jun Tan, president of ARM China. “Prochip will prove an invaluable resource for Chinese engineers, training them on advanced ARM technologies for embedded SoC design and development.”

About the ARM Approved Training Center Program

As part of the ARM Connected Community, the ATC Program has been established to satisfy the growing demand for training in ARM technology among ARM semiconductor Partners, OEMs and design centers worldwide. Through the program, ARM recruits and works with a network of approved Partners who are trained, qualified and equipped with ARM materials and software tools. This enables ATC Partners to provide high-quality, certified training to their own markets and regions.

ARM ATC Program Partners must go through a strict qualification process to become approved. This includes an assessment of their success in the marketplace, intensive training for their teaching staff, and a facilities audit. All ATC Partners are continually monitored to ensure that the quality of training remains high

About Prochip

Nanjing Prochip Electronic Technology Co., Ltd is the spin-off from Southeast University National ASIC Center. Invested by Jiangsu Software Park, one of Chinese National Software Bases, Prochip is focusing on SoC and relative system design, manufacture, marketing and service. More information on Prochip is available at http://www.prochip.com.cn.

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 comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products.  Combined with the company’s broad Partner community, they 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.

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ARM, ARM Powered and ARM7TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. DesignStart 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; 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.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; AXYS GmbH; ARM Embedded Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; and ARM Physical IP, Inc.