Actel Extends IP Program to Support ProASICPLUS and Axcelerator

More than 50 New DirectCores and CompanionCores Target Communications, Embedded Systems and Consumer Applications

SUNNYVALE, Calif., December 11, 2002 - Through its CompanionCore Alliance Program, Actel Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTL) today announced the addition of more than 50 complete, system-level intellectual property (IP) building blocks that have been optimized for use with the company's ProASICPLUS and Axcelerator field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The new cores were developed by Actel and seven CompanionCore Alliance members: Amphion Semiconductor, Inc.; CAST, Inc.; GDA Technologies, Inc.; Helion Technology Ltd.; Inicore, Inc.; Memec Design; and MorethanIP GmbH. Covering applications ranging from embedded systems, data communications and telecom to consumer, core functions include DSP, PCI, communication interfaces, encryption and multimedia as well as microprocessors and peripherals.

"Both our reprogrammable ProASICPLUS and high-speed Axcelerator families are enjoying tremendous market acceptance," said Yankin Tanurhan, senior director, IP solutions, Actel Corporation. "This is fueling the demand for high-quality cores that are designed and optimized for use with Actel's high-density, reprogrammable flash and high-speed antifuse FPGA devices. Our CompanionCore Alliance partners recognize this opportunity and are targeting the ProASICPLUS and Axcelerator families as critical platforms for developing new intellectual property."

New IP Cores for Actel FPGAs
Extended to support the company's ProASICPLUS and Axcelerator families, the Actel CompanionCore Alliance program leverages IP generated, verified and supported by Actel, called DirectCores, as well as strategic third-party CompanionCore products. The more than 50 new optimized DirectCore and CompanionCore solutions offered today include:

• Forward error correction (FEC) technology, such as Reed Solomon encoders and decoders, 10/100/1G Ethernet MAC controllers, Packet-Over-SONET Layer 2, HDLC controllers and PL3 and Utopia Level 3 interfaces for use in communications applications, including wireless LANs, xDSL, SONET/SDH and DWDM.
• PCI, 8-bit microcontrollers, UARTs, DMA, and CAN and USB controllers for use in embedded systems applications.
• MPEG 2, digital video broadcast (DVB) modulators, memory controllers and encryption cores for use in consumer applications, including multimedia systems and personal security devices.

Pricing and Availability
All cores are available today in netlist and RTL formats and can be purchased directly from Actel or its partners. Data sheets for each core can be downloaded from the Actel Web site at http://www.actel.com/products/ip/index.html. List prices for the cores start at $495.

Actel DirectCore and CompanionCore Solutions
Actel's CompanionCore Alliance Program involves partnerships with strategicthird-party IP developers to deliver complete pre-implemented, synthesizable CompanionCore IP building blocks that have been tested and verified in Actel FPGAs. Actel also offers its own system-level IP solutions, called DirectCores, specifically designed and optimized for use with Actel devices. Covering applications ranging from embedded systems, data communications and telecom to consumer, functions include DSP, PCI, communication interfaces, encryption and multimedia as well as microprocessors and peripherals.

Actel DirectCores and CompanionCore products offer seamless implementation through Actel's suite of internal and third-party EDA development tools, documentation, and quality service and support, thereby streamlining the design process, enabling faster time-to-market and minimizing design costs and risks. For more information on the CompanionCore Alliance program, DirectCores or CompanionCores, visit the IP section on the Actel Web site at http://www.actel.com/products/ip/index.html.

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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