MQX Embedded Announces MQX mini-RTOS Availability for Freescale Semiconductor's 521x Family of ColdFire Processors

New RTOS product from MQX Embedded™ is the first RTOS to support innovative ColdFire MCF521x processor family for cost-sensitive, entry level 32-bit applications

ORLANDO, Fla., Freescale Technology Forum, June 23, 2005 – MQX Embedded™, a division of ARC International (LSE: ARK) that is focused on the software needs of embedded system developers, today announced the availability of its MQX™ mini-RTOS, a new Real-time Operating System product specifically designed for the Freescale ColdFire® MCF521x processor family. The MQX mini-RTOS, licensed on a royalty-free basis, provides a robust, proven, space-efficient platform for designers who will use the MCF521x family for entry-level 32-bit projects and to transition from legacy 8-bit and 16-bit processors. The MQX mini-RTOS for the MCF521x is being demonstrated at the Freescale Technology Forum in Orlando this week and is available for immediate evaluation.

MQX mini-RTOS is a specially-priced, primarily binary distribution of the MQX RTOS, tuned specifically for the memory configurations of the MCF521x family, and provided with drivers for its UART, CAN, I2C, and SPI peripherals. While maintaining API compatibility with the proven MQX RTOS, the MQX mini-RTOS is pre-configured to create a tightly compact ROM and RAM image by including a chosen feature set and fully utilizing the MQX RTOS lightweight components for speed and for space efficiency. Customers receive full source for the board support package and included drivers, along with a binary image of the RTOS code.

“The innovative approach Freescale has taken with the MCF521x required an equally innovative solution from MQX Embedded,” said Joel Mattox, Director of Marketing at MQX Embedded. “The MQX mini-RTOS delivers our proven ColdFire expertise in a package optimized specifically for the MCF521x family. We believe our new product will extend the ongoing success of MQX Embedded’s ColdFire solutions.”

“MQX Embedded has been an early, active and consistent supporter of our ColdFire product line.” said Bill Krakar, microcontroller tools program manager for Freescale. “Their software solutions for ColdFire processors have helped many customers be successful with their ColdFire projects, and we are delighted to have MQX mini-RTOS support for the MCF521x family.”

MQX Embedded software for ColdFire architectures is tightly integrated with the Metrowerks CodeWarrior™ Development Studio, allowing developers to accelerate the development of reliable, high performance industrial control and networking products. MQX Embedded products for the MCF521x family work out-of-the-box with the Professional Edition of the CodeWarrior Development Studio, which provides MQX RTOS-aware and MQX RTCS™ TCP/IP stack-aware debugging, as well as the Standard Edition and the complimentary, code-limited Special Edition of the CodeWarrior Development Studio for ColdFire architectures.

Availability
MQX mini-RTOS software for the ColdFire 521x family is available for immediate evaluation. For MQX mini-RTOS product pricing, please contact MQX Embedded at mqx-sales@MQXembedded.com. For a complete list of MQX software supporting the ColdFire processors, to download evaluation software, or for more information, please visit www.MQXembedded.com or contact MQX Embedded at mqx-sales@MQXembedded.com.

About MQX Embedded
MQX Embedded is a business of ARC International, focused on the software needs of embedded system developers for ARC-Based™ and non-ARC 32-bit microprocessor and DSP architectures. MQX Embedded offers state-of-the-art technology that includes the widely used MetaWare® software development tools and the MQX™ RTOS, as well as networking and other software platforms. MQX Embedded’s technology has helped power thousands of products that are shipping to markets including the financial, construction, industrial and semiconductor industries. For more information, visit www.MQXembedded.com.

ARC, ARC-Based, MQX, MQX Embedded and MetaWare are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names contained herein are the property of their respective owners. This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For factors that could cause actual results to differ, visit the company’s website as well as the listing particulars filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales.