Actel Details Next Phase In Space-Qualified FPGA Roadmap; Aggressively Targets Satellite Payload Applications

Next-Generation Solution Represents Next Step in Three-Pronged Corporate Strategy

MILITARY AND AEROSPACE PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC DEVICES CONFERENCE, LAUREL, Maryland, September 10, 2002 - Actel Corporation (NASDAQ: ACTL) today unveils its plans to leverage the company's recently introduced high- performance, antifuse-based AX architecture for its next-generation, radiation-tolerant field-programmable gate array (FPGA) offerings. Optimized for the space market, the high-density, high-performance FPGAs will offer key features, such as hardened latches that offer practical single-event upset (SEU) immunity and, for the first time, usable error- corrected onboard RAM memory. These solutions will meet the density, performance and radiation-resistance requirements of many payload applications, an area previously dominated by application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), allowing Actel to aggressively target these applications in low-, mid- and geosynchronous-earth orbit satellites and deep space missions.

"We have long been committed to providing high-quality, radiation- tolerant solutions for space applications, and today's announcement further underscores this position," said John East, president and chief executive officer at Actel. "Traditionally, ASICs have been the only solution to provide the density and performance required by demanding payload applications in space. However, we expect that our new antifuse-based, radiation-tolerant solution will meet these high- density, high-performance requirements while also providing the lower cost, shortened design time and increased flexibility of FPGAs, thereby offering significant advantages over ASICs."

East continued, "Indeed, with this offering, Actel achieves the third of its strategic goals set forth earlier this year to offer industry- leading FPGA solutions for ASIC-alternative, high-speed communications and radiation-tolerant applications. The introductions of Actel's flash-based ProASIC Plus family and antifuse-based Axcelerator FPGAs represent the first two prongs of this strategy. Moving forward, we will continue to deliver best-in-class solutions using both our flash and antifuse technologies to develop products optimized for targeted applications."

Next-Generation Solution for Space
The new deep sub-micron radiation-tolerant offering will leverage Actel's expertise, AX architecture and RTSX-S FPGAs, which feature triple-module redundancy (TMR), to provide unparalleled performance and flexibility in space-capable products. With densities up to 2-million equivalent FPGA system gates (approximately 300,000 ASIC equivalent gates), the new family is expected to offer inherent single-event latchup (SEL) immunity; >63MeV-cm2/mg SEU capability; and total ionizing dose (TID) performance in excess of 100 Krads. The family will also feature embedded RAM with an upset rate of <1E-10 errors/bit-day with error detection and correction (EDAC). Prototyping capability for the new family is expected to available in 1H 2003.

Forward-looking Statement
The statement that "these solutions will meet the density, performance and radiation-resistance requirements of many payload applications" and the statements in the paragraph under the caption "Next-Generation Solution for Space" are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements due to the Risk Factors set forth at the end of Part I of Actel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 6, 2002, including those discussed under the following headings: Competition; Dependence on Customized Manufacturing Processes; Dependence on Independent Software and Hardware Developers; and Technological Change and Dependence on New Product Development.

About Actel
Actel Corporation is a supplier of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies, high-performance intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design services targeted for the high-speed communications, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) replacement and radiation-tolerant markets. Founded in 1985, Actel employs approximately 500 people worldwide. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered at 955 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, Calif., 94086-4533. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Internet: http://www.actel.com.

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