sci-worx Now Offers Alcatel's Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) Soft Core Technology

Alcatel's Ethernet technology offered in sci-worx design solutions for communications, multimedia and networking applications

Calabasas, Calif. And Hanover, Germany - March 18, 2002 - Alcatel (NYSE: ALA) and sci-worx GmbH, Europe's leading provider of intellectual property (IP) cores, today announced that sci-worx will be offering Alcatel's complete line of Ethernet MAC IP as part of the sci-worx DesignObjects™ line of synthesizable, reusable soft cores.

Alcatel's Ethernet MAC IP soft cores are building blocks for communication chip designs. They include the layer 2 protocol for Ethernet transfer per the IEEE 802.3 standards for networking devices such as routers, switches, printers, DSL and cable modems. Under the terms of the agreement, sci-worx will offer a complete solution by combining sci-worx' strong design expertise and leadership for Sychronous Optical Network/Sychronous Digital Heirarchy (SONET/SDH) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) IP cores with Alcatel's widely licensed silicon proven Ethernet MAC cores.

"By offering Alcatel's MAC IP cores, we are able to provide our customers with the most widely-licensed MAC core technology in the industry, thus insuring interoperability and silicon proven technology," said Thomas Oderwald, marketing segment manager for sci-worx. "The Alcatel MAC cores are a perfect addition to our DesignObjects™ soft cores, guaranteeing the high level of quality our customers are accustomed to."

"Alcatel is pleased to have its MAC cores added to the sci -worx DesignObjects™ soft core line of products," said Alan Amrod, vice president of North America enterprise marketing, Alcatel. "sci-worx' domination in the European marketplace, its proven success in design services, and expertise in the high speed networking space will enable customers to include MAC functionality without having to become Ethernet experts."

For additional information about Alcatel Technology Licensing Group products and services, visit:
http://www2.ind.alcatel.com/prod_sol/internetworking/emac/index.cfm

About sci-worx
sci-worx - Europe's leading Intellectual Property and System Solution Provider for Multimedia, Networking, Telecommunications and Security. sci-worx is a leading microelectronics technology licensing and design company with a library of over 65 soft cores. sci-worx's DesignObjects™ (synthesizable ASIC cores) come to the market as off-the-shelf solutions, thus reducing time-to-market and risk for new IC products and applications. Also, sci-worx's core verification program ensures high quality and performance of all DesignObjects™. sci-worx complements its DesignObjects™ with a comprehensive suite of design services including system integration and software development, as well as system and IP validation. All this is based on mature application know-how and numerous years of design experience. To learn more, visit sci-worx on the Internet: www.sci-worx.com.

About Alcatel
Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of $22 billion (EURO 25 billion) in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: www.alcatel.com.
 

sci-worx Press Contact

Thomas Oderwald Tel : +49 (0)511 277-1486 Thomas.oderwald@sci-worx.com

Alcatel Press Contacts

Kristen Bailey Tel : +1 (818) 878-4419 Kristen.bailey@alcatel.com
Ed Essa Tel : +1 (818) 878-5472 Ed.essa@alcatel.com