Epson Licenses ARM720T Core

CAMBRIDGE, England and TOKYO, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, and Seiko Epson Corporation (EPSON) today announced that Epson has licensed the ARM720T(TM) processor core.

The ARM720T core combines the ARM7TDMI® core, which Epson licensed in 1998, with 8kb unified cache and a full Memory Management Unit (MMU), making it an ideal solution for mobile information appliances such as PDAs and smartphones.

This agreement provides a key technology building block to Epson for the development and production of low-cost, high-performance systems for the rapidly growing mobile market. The first product to feature the ARM720T core will be a microprocessor with a display feature for palm-sized mobile information appliances, and will include an LCD controller and device interfaces.

``The low power consumption necessary for wireless applications is a key feature of the ARM® processor core,'' said Tomokazu Kawano, IC Design Department general manager of the Semiconductor Operations Division of Epson. ``This is necessary to support the energy-saving principle behind Epson's electronic devices and components business and is a crucial concept for developing devices for mobile equipment. Like the industry-leading ARM cores, we hope to make our ARM core-based products a de facto market standard.''

``This agreement further strengthens our partnership with Epson, the world's leading manufacturer of low-power electronic devices,'' said Reynette Au, VP, Corporate Marketing, ARM. ``Epson's licensing of the industry-proven ARM720T core will enable them to develop new and innovative solutions for the latest mobile information devices.''

ARM offers a full range of System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions including processor cores, peripheral intellectual property, development tools, application software, EDA tools and design services. The ARM® architecture is well supported by semiconductor and system manufacturers, real-time operating system providers, third-party tool chain developers, application software providers and design centers.

About EPSON

Seiko Epson Corporation (EPSON) started its operation in 1942 as a manufacturer of SEIKO watches. Since then, the company's operations have expanded to encompass the entire range of information-related equipment, including the development, manufacture, and sale of Epson printers, personal computers, multi-media projectors, electronic devices and components. The Epson group takes at heart its management philosophy of maintaining its worldwide reputation as a reliable and respectable company. Seiko Epson Corporation currently has 122 affiliates and representative offices in 38 countries and recorded consolidated annual sales of JPY 1,340.9 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001.

Additional information is available on the Internet at: http://www.epson.co.jp/e/ae/.

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 the 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 www.arm.com.

ARM and ARM7TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM720T 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.