picoTurbo Releases New PCI Core for picoPACK SOC Platform

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2001--picoTurbo, a leading provider of synthesizable RISC microprocessor cores and Turn-key IP(TM) solutions, today announced it has released a new peripheral component interconnect (PCI) core that offers improved design flexibility for system-on-a-chip (SOC) designers using industry-standard PCI and advanced microcontroller bus architecture (AMBA(TM)) systems.

The new PCI core, when combined with the picoPACK(TM) SOC platform, enables faster time-to-market and lower development costs of systems-on-a-chip for information appliances, thin clients, Web pads, screenphones, desktop computers, notebooks, PCI cards, networking systems and other similar devices.

Fully synthesizable and easily integrated with picoTurbo cores and picoPACK platform, the new PCI core is designed for systems that require PCI bus connectivity, including networking, storage, modems, graphics, video and other high-speed peripheral devices. The new PCI core also interfaces to the AHB (AMBA(TM) high-performance bus) to allow the use of AMBA(TM) peripherals.

``Backed by the power of our picoPACK SOC platform, our new PCI core further expands our IP portfolio of complete solutions for chip manufacturers and system OEMs,'' said Bruno Kajiyama, vice president of marketing for picoTurbo. ``Customers who license our microprocessor core typically request connectivity IP -- particularly PCI. picoTurbo customers now may take full advantage of the rich PCI interface and legacy modules, as well as the de-facto industry-standard AMBA(TM) bus for SOC designs.''

The new PCI core solution provides enhanced design flexibility, functioning as either the master or the target interface control logic for the PCI system and acting as the master or the slave interface control logic for the AHB system. The new solution is available immediately for licensing.

Key features of the new picoTurbo PCI core include:

AMBA(TM) 2.0 specification support
Support of revision 2.2 of the PCI local bus specification
32-bit AHB interface
32-bit 66MHz PCI bus interface
Separate and asynchronous AMBA(TM) and PCI clock domains
Concurrent AHB and PCI bus operation to isolate traffic
AMBA(TM) split transfer support
PCI delayed transaction support
Support of all PCI address spaces, which can be mapped to the AHB address space
Support for burst-mode read and write transactions in both directions

picoTurbo is exhibiting at the 38th Annual Design Automation Conference (DAC) in Las Vegas, June 18-22, in Booth 719 to discuss their latest products and technology partnerships.

About picoTurbo:

picoTurbo, Inc. is a leading provider of 16/32-bit RISC microprocessor cores in the mobile, wireless and embedded markets. With synthesizable high-performance cores and Turn-key IP(TM) solutions, picoTurbo offers design flexibility, lower development costs and maximum manufacturing freedom for semiconductor manufacturers, fabless companies, ASIC vendors and system OEMs. picoTurbo's innovations reduce time-to-market and increase performance by enhancing microprocessor capabilities and enabling new applications, while leveraging industry standard legacy software. picoTurbo is based in Silicon Valley (U.S.), with a Taiwan design center and worldwide distributors. For more information, visit www.picoturbo.com or call 408/586-8801.

picoTurbo, picoTurbo logo, pT-100, pT-110, and Turn-key IP are trademarks of picoTurbo, Inc.

AMBA is a trademark of ARM Limited.

Contact:
     picoTurbo, Inc.
     Bruno Kajiyama, 408/586-4716
     bkajiyama@picoturbo.com
     or
     Media Contact:
     Shelton Communications Group
     Stephanie Mayo, 972/239-5119
     smayo@sheltongroup.com