IBM introduces PowerPC® 440 embedded processor

Designed to provide enhanced functionality for imaging and industrial applications

East Fishkill, NY, September 22, 2003 - IBM today announced the PowerPC 440EP embedded processor, IBM's first 440-based standard product to include hardware support for floating-point operations, USB and NAND flash interfaces on a single chip.

This system-on-chip processor gives customers an entry point into the PowerPC 440 family, making it an attractive solution for networking and storage applications. It is also designed to extend the PowerPC 440 family into new applications, such as imaging and industrial control.

The 440EP supports double data rate (DDR) memory, a powerful floating-point operations unit, and USB interfaces, including USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. The addition of SPI and NAND Flash support can provide additional flexibility for designers to utilize.

"Our strategy is to build a family of products around the PowerPC cores we develop," said Lisa Su, director of PowerPC and emerging products, IBM Microelectronics. "With today's announcement, we continue our initiative to broaden our PowerPC offerings with unique IP for a range of applications, providing chip designers with a wide variety of options."

With speeds of up to 533MHz, PowerPC Book E architecture and a rich peripheral mix, the PowerPC 440EP is suited for a variety of embedded applications. Its extensive feature set and robust debug capabilities are geared to real-time and other high-performance operating environments.

IBM's 0.13 micron CMOS copper process technology and an innovative design conserve board real estate by combining functions that typically require several chips. The PowerPC 440EP provides a growth path for PowerPC 405XX users and is an excellent entry point into IBM's PowerPC 440 family.

In addition to IBM, more than 100 third-party vendors support PowerPC embedded processors by providing compilers, debuggers, real-time operating systems, emulators, logic analyzers and a full range of tools to help manufacturers develop products more quickly. A PowerPC 440EP reference board kit is planned to help expedite product evaluation and project development.

IBM plans to make samples of the PowerPC 440EP available in December, with production scheduled for the second quarter of 2004.

About the IBM PowerPC Processor

The IBM PowerPC processor is a proven technology, with versions already supporting a multitude of desktop, server, communications and consumer electronics applications, and has broad support among the software development community. IBM is expanding PowerPC technology licensing to meet growing demand for a processor that can be readily adapted to drive the variety of consumer electronics products that are emerging in the industry. Products like cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and game systems are overtaking the PC as the basis for communications, entertainment and information access, and their individual requirements demand more than any one, off-the-shelf processor can provide.

About IBM Microelectronics

IBM Microelectronics is a key contributor to IBM’s role as the world’s premier information technology supplier. It develops, manufactures and markets state-of-the-art semiconductor and interconnect technologies, products and services. IBM Microelectronics activities are focused in three major areas: custom application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips, PowerPC-based standard chip products, and high-tech foundry services. Its superior integrated solutions can be found in many of the world's best-known electronic brands.

IBM is a recognized innovator in the chip industry, having been first with advances like more power-efficient copper wiring in place of aluminum and faster silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and silicon germanium transistors. These and other innovations have contributed to IBM’s standing as the number one U.S. patent holder for 10 consecutive years. More information about IBM Microelectronics can be found at: http://www.ibm.com/chips.

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