Abilis Systems Adopts ARC's Configurable Processor to Create Single Chip Mobile TV Receiver Solution

ELSTREE, England, November 13, 2006 – ARC International (LSE: ARK), the world leader in configurable subsystems and CPU/DSP cores, today announced that the configurable ARC™ 605 processor has been adopted by Abilis Systems, a Kudelski Group company, for the development of a single-chip TV receiver solution targeted at mobile TV terminals.  The ARC 605 is an ultra small configurable 32-bit CPU/DSP processor, which was chosen by Abilis Systems because of its low gate count, low power consumption and ability to incorporate custom instruction extensions that provide a high degree of differentiation and security compared to "fixed architecture"alternatives.  The configurable ARC 605 core will serve as the control CPU in Abilis Systems' Mobile TV chip that will be demonstrated at the upcoming 3GSM conference.

Abilis Systems' single-chip "antenna-to-digital"system solution is fueling the high-growth mobile TV market that is predicted to pass the 100 million-subscriber milestone by 2010.  By relying upon a configurable ARC processor, Abilis Systems' chips can meet OEM requirements for SoCs with a small footprint, power sensitivity, and multi-mode flexibility using a unified microprocessor architecture that combines DSP with RISC logic functionality.

"Configurability was a key decision factor for us. The CPU's flexibility enables us to support our current and future specific requirements, including the security constraints related to the Conditional Access function,"said Yves Mathys, CEO of Abilis Systems.  "Using ARC's configurable processor, we quickly completed the design process and have taped out our first ARC-Based chip in record time.  The result is a unique product that surpasses existing market offerings."

"Abilis Systems is the latest example of a fast-growth company to adopt configurable processors for a market where differentiation and low cost are keys to success,"said Derek Meyer, senior vice president of sales and marketing at ARC International.  "We welcome Abilis Systems to the growing community of ARC customers.”

The Configurable ARC™ 605 Core
The ARC 605 processor core is an ultra small, ultra low power configurable 32-bit core.  In a 0.13 micron process, it offers a maximum clock frequency of 400 MHz, power consumption of 0.06 mW/MHz and a die size of 0.31mm2. The configurable ARC 605 core is an ideal solution for a wide range of embedded control and computing functions within SoCs. The core is designed for hard real-time processing, where high speed and deterministic response are required.

All of ARC's cores are created with ARChitect™ – ARC's revolutionary patented configuration tool.  ARChitect's GUI-based development environment offers SoC designers a simple drag-and-drop menu from which they can select from up to 20,000+ pre-configured options or create custom instruction extensions that are optimized to the ARCompact™ ISA.  In minutes, customers can use ARChitect to create a highly differentiated, proprietary ARC-Based™ processor that provides a competitive advantage while consuming less power and containing fewer transistors than fixed architecture alternatives. 

About ARC International plc
ARC International is the world leader in configurable subsystems and CPU/DSP processors that are used by semiconductor companies worldwide to create SoC designs that provide a strategic competitive advantage.  ARC's patented configurable products are smaller, consume less power, are less expensive to manufacture, and provide a higher degree of differentiation over what can be created using fixed architecture cores.

ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporate and research and development offices in California and Elstree, UK.  For more information visit www.ARC.com.  ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE: ARK).