Aptix Joins ARM PrimeXsys Community Program

Two companies to provide powerful pre-silicon prototyping solution for customers developing embedded SoC products using the ARM PrimeXsys Platform

SAN JOSE, Calif. AND CAMBRIDGE, UK – Apr. 22, 2003 - Aptix Corporation, a leading supplier of pre-silicon prototyping tools and platforms for embedded system-on-chip (SoC) design, and ARM, [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, today announced at Embedded Systems Conference, San Francisco, that Aptix has joined the ARM® PrimeXsys™ Community Program. In addition, the two companies have signed an agreement to further the adoption of the ARM PrimeXsys Platform through the development and demonstration of pre-silicon prototyping. ARM will use Aptix Software Integration Station™ products in its sales offices worldwide to demonstrate the functionality of design data and hardware for PrimeXsys Platform designs. Aptix will also be able to demonstrate the solution to its current and potential customers.

The combination of technologies will enable designers of complex ASIC/SoC design incorporating the PrimeXsys Platform IP to develop full system prototypes in a faster, more efficient way.

"The ARM PrimeXsys Platform is extremely popular with our customers because it provides system developers with a suite of pre-validated software and verification IP," said Dr. Amr Mohsen, chairman and CEO, Aptix. "We have previously worked with ARM to support mutual customers on several design projects. This agreement will let us provide a higher level of integrated support to our mutual customers."

Using Aptix System Explorer™, engineers can build a complete pre-silicon prototype of their PrimeXsys Platform-based design, integrate other IP, run their selected operating system and application software, and validate their design under real-world conditions--all before any silicon is available. Then, multiple development platforms can be delivered to software engineers using the Aptix Software Integration Station™ or custom printed circuit boards created with Aptix Prototype Studio/PCB.

"ARM and Aptix have a common base of customers that have already created pre-silicon prototypes of their PrimeXsys Platform-based designs using Aptix products," said John Rayfield, VP, US Marketing, ARM. "Our partnership with Aptix will now enable developers to create prototypes more quickly and efficiently, giving them more time to develop their embedded application software before actual silicon of their SoC design is available. This is another example of the PrimeXsys Community Program creating additional value for the licensees of PrimeXsys Platforms."

The PrimeXsys Platform is based around the ARM926EJ-S™ microprocessor core, which incorporates ARM Jazelle® technology for Java acceleration, a multi-layer AMBA™ bus and PrimeCell® peripherals.

Availability
The new solution will be available from Aptix from the end of April 2003.

About Aptix
Aptix Corporation is a leading provider of high-performance pre-silicon prototype (PSP) solutions to System-on-Chip (SoC) developers, enabling them to accelerate their time-to-market, reduce costs and improve their product performance. Aptix's reconfigurable and portable PSPs enable hardware developers to integrate custom logic and to verify and debug complex SoC designs in a real-world environment and software developers to accelerate the firmware and application software development timeline. In addition, these flexible prototypes can be deployed for field-testing and to multiple customers for evaluation, providing a development head start. Visit Aptix on the web at http://www.aptix.com. Aptix is headquartered at 1338 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131.

About ARM
ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-on-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming a volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

Aptix is a registered trademark of Aptix Corporation. System Explorer, Aptix Prototype Studio and Software Integration Station are trademarks of Aptix Corporation.

ARM, PrimeCell and Jazelle are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM926EJ-S 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 (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

All other registered trademarks or trademarks are property of their respective owners.