Shanghai Jade Licenses ARM Prime Starter Kit for DCP SoC

SHANGHAI, CHINA AND CAMBRIDGE, UK – Jan. 12, 2004 – Shanghai Jade Technologies Co. Ltd., a leading developer of DCP (Digital Content Processor) SoC in China, and ARM, [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry’s leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor technology, today announced that Shanghai Jade is the first company to license the ARM926EJ™ Prime Starter Kit.  Shanghai Jade will leverage the ARM® technology in system-on-chip (SoC) designs for digital content processors for next-generation products for the Chinese consumer, communication and computing (3C) markets.  Production is scheduled for the Q4 of 2004.

The ARM926EJ Prime Starter Kit, introduced to the ARM Foundry Program in October 2003, incorporates the ARM926EJ core, the ARM926EJ PrimeXsys™ Platform and the Embedded Trace Macrocell™ module, providing access to the first Jazelle® technology-enabled ARM core along with a platform for accelerating designs to market.  As a result of licensing the ARM926EJ Prime Starter Kit, Shanghai Jade will be able to create low-power designs that feature ARM Jazelle technology for optimum Java byte code execution performance, required of next-generation devices.   

“ARM is dedicated to further increasing the accessibility of ARM Intellectual Property (IP) in the Chinese market,” said Jun Tan, president, ARM China .  “Working with leading fabless companies, like Shanghai Jade, is mutually beneficial, strengthening ARM’s presence in the emerging 3C market and shortening these companies’ design cycles to achieve end-product differentiation through a channel that fits their needs.”

“Our partnership with ARM has given Shanghai Jade the chance to leverage world class technology and third-party support for the design of high-end DCPs for the 3C convergent market for consumers,” said Dr. He Ouyang, CEO, Shanghai Jade Technologies Co. Ltd.  “The ARM926EJ Prime Starter Kit gave us a new level of choice, enabling us to design products based on an ARM core thereby moving us up in the value-chain of the 3C market.”

About 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. The Foundry Program builds a three-way partnership between ARM, an approved silicon foundry, and a fabless semiconductor company that accelerates the time-to-market for ARM core-based designs and enables OEMs without access to fabrication facilities, to work directly with an approved ARM semiconductor foundry. There are currently 62 Partners in the Foundry Program. ARM now offers the ARM926EJ Prime Starter Kit, (combined ARM926EJ core, PrimeXsys Platform and Embedded Trace Macrocell™ module), the ARM7TDMI® core, the ARM922T™ core, the ARM946E™ core and the ARM1022E™ core through its Foundry Program.

About Shanghai Jade Technologies Co. Ltd.

Shanghai Jade Technologies Co. Ltd, a privately held fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Zhangjiang, Shanghai, was founded by Silicon Valley entrepreneur and mathematician Dr. Jack He Ouyang in July, 2003. Jade is an innovator of multimedia processing and artificial intelligence algorithms, embedded software development and SoC architecture. Jade is an active member and a contributor of Chinese audio-video standard (AVS) committee. Jade’s highly integrated DCP SoC will reset the bar of the 3C market. Additional information is available by email:marketing@jadechip.com.

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/ .

ARM, ARM7TDMI and Jazelle are registered trademarks of ARM Limited.  ARM922T, ARM926EJ, ARM946E, ARM1022E, PrimeXsys and Embedded Trace Macrocell are trademarks of ARM Limited.  “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; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co.Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V.