NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR FIRST TO LICENSE NEW SYNTHESIZABLE PROCESSOR CORE FROM ARM

National Adds ARM7TDMI-S Synthesizable Core to Microprocessor Core Library

July 13, 1998 - With an eye toward offering customers a variety of leading processor-core technologies, National Semiconductor Corporation® (NYSE:NSM) and ARM, today announced that National has licensed ARM's new synthesizable ARM7TDMI-STM RISC architecture. National will use the ARM7TDMI-S core to deliver system-on-a-chip solutions for emerging communications and consumer markets.

National is the first licensee of ARM's new synthesizable ARM7TDMI-S core which was developed to give flexibility in design, test and process portability while maintaining the integrity of the industry-standard ARM Thumb® architecture. The ARM7TDMI-S core is based on the popular low power, small die size, high performance ARM7TDMI core that is licensed by 29 partners, making it the world's most broadly licensed RISC processor.

"With the addition of the ARM7TDMI-S core to our semicustom group's broad arsenal of x86, synthesizable CompactRISC™ and synthesizable C50-compatible DSP cores, we're rapidly expanding our ability to provide the integrated chips our trendsetting customers want for future-generation products," said Mike Atkin, vice president of National's Semicustom Products Group.

As part of National's portfolio of CPU and DSP cores, digital, analog and mixed-signal blocks, the ARM7TDMI-S core is available to the company's designers worldwide. These cores can then be integrated into system-chip designs, leveraging National's unique ability to integrate analog, digital and mixed-signal capabilities on one chip.

"ARM takes pride in delivering its leading technology to customers in a method that best suits their individual needs," said Reynette Au, ARM's vice president of marketing. "National, as a leading analog and mixed signal developer, is an ideal licensee for ARM in their focus on the communications and consumer markets."

The ARM7TDMI-S core is a result of ARM's ongoing commitment to the ARM7 family of products, from the core architecture to ARM7-based systems on a chip. The ARM7TDMI-S core is software compatible with the popular ARM7TDMI 32-bit RISC processor. Programs for both cores can be developed with the same software development tool kit. Both versions are ideal high performance, low power cores with 32-bit performance at 8-/16-bit system costs. Targeted applications include portable devices, embedded and consumer multimedia products such as mobile phones, drive controllers, and digital cameras.

About ARM
ARM is a leader in microprocessor Intellectual Property. ARM designs and licenses fast, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals and "system-chip" solutions for embedded control, consumer/educational multimedia, DSP and portable applications. ARM supports its processor offerings with development hardware and software and contract design services. ARM licenses its technology to leading semiconductor, software and OEM partners worldwide who focus on applications, design and manufacturing. Each partner offers unique ARM-related technologies and services, which together satisfy a broad range of end user needs. Through this partnering, ARM is rapidly becoming the global volume RISC standard. ARM has offices in Cambridge and Maidenhead, UK; Los Gatos, California; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington, USA; Paris, France; Munich, Germany; Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Korea. For more information, visit the ARM web site at www.arm.com

About National
National Semiconductor Corporation produces system on a chip silicon solutions for the information highway, based on its leadership in analog and mixed signal technologies. National is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and focuses on the communications, personal systems and consumer markets. National has annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion and 13,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

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