Synad Licenses ARM922T Core For Wireless LAN Applications

Flexible ARM core-based implementation enables two-chip solution for both clients and access points

CAMBRIDGE AND READING, UK – Apr. 29, 2003 – ARM, [(LSE: ARM) (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, and Synad, a fabless Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system-on-chip (SoC) company, today announced at Network World+Interop, Las Vegas, NV, that Synad has licensed the ARM922T™ embedded processor core for use in its Mercury 5G WLAN 802.11a, b and g chip set. Synad is deploying the ARM922T embedded processor core to run the 802.11a/b/g Media Access Control (MAC) and support all key wireless network security features including TKIP, AES, WPA and 802.1x.

"Synad's vision is to deliver seamless connectivity at work, at home and in public places. Utilizing the ARM922T core through the ARM® Foundry Program has substantially reduced our product development time in order to deliver on this vision," said Kevin Mapplebeck, vice president, Marketing, Synad. "In addition, the ARM922T core's superior performance, power consumption capabilities, efficiency of the software implementation using on-chip memory and debug tools have enabled Synad to offer the market a technically superior product."

"ARM continues to win designs in the fast-growing WLAN marketplace, as networking companies require high-performance, low-power microprocessor cores to design flexible MAC solutions for 802.11 a, b and g," said Denise Kerstein, networking segment manager, ARM. "The technical suitability of ARM cores for networking applications, the range of system level components and solutions we offer to speed design, and our flexible licensing programs, enable burgeoning companies like Synad to embrace and deliver advanced solutions for key market applications like WLAN."

The ARM922T hard macrocell is suitable for a wide range of platform Operating System-based applications. Based around the high-performance ARM9TDMI® 32-bit RISC CPU, the ARM922T core features instruction and data caches, a memory management unit (MMU) to enable support for all major OSs, AMBA™ bus-compliant interfaces, and support for the ARM real-time trace technology with the optional ETM9™ product and the Embedded Trace Macrocell™ product.

About the ARM Foundry Program
The ARM Foundry Program is an innovative business model that enables fabless semiconductor companies in emerging markets to gain access to ARM processor technology for use in the design and manufacture of advanced system-on-chip (SoC) solutions. This licensing program offers a flexible partnership model that accelerates the time-to-market for ARM core-based designs and enables fabless semiconductor companies, which do not have access to fabrication facilities, to work directly with an approved ARM semiconductor foundry. Unlike a traditional ARM license, where a licensee gains both manufacturing and design rights, the ARM Foundry Program builds a three-way Partnership between ARM, an approved silicon foundry and the fabless semiconductor company. There are currently 52 Partners and 7 Approved Foundries in the Program, which was launched in 2000. ARM now offers the ARM7TDMI® core, the ARM922T core, the ARM946E ™ core and the ARM1022E™ core through the Program.

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 (SoC) 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/

About Synad
Synad is a fabless semiconductor company that develops products to deliver seamless connectivity in the wireless local area network (WLAN) environment based on its core competences in RF CMOS, system and software design. Its first product is Mercury, a highly innovative two chip dual band solution that delivers connectivity and interoperability between 802.11a, 802.11b and the draft 802.11g standards. Synad is driving wireless industry standards worldwide through active participation in IEEE 802.11 Task Groups and the Wi-Fi Alliance. For further information check: www.synad.com.

ARM, ARM7TDMI and ARM9TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM922T, ARM946E, ARM1022E, ETM9, Embedded Trace Macrocell and AMBA are trademarks 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.