TimeSys Introduces LinuxLink Subscriptions for the MIPS32 24KE

Continuously-updated Embedded Linux Resource Accelerates SoC Development

PITTSBURGH, PA - January 30, 2006 - TimeSys Corporation, the leading developer service provider for the embedded Linux market, today announced the availability of a LinuxLink subscription for the MIPS Technologies MIPS32? 24KE(TM) core family.  The subscription is the latest offering from LinuxLink by TimeSys(TM), a continuously updated, Web-based resource for embedded Linux development.

Licensees of a MIPS32 24KE core can choose among a number of flexible LinuxLink subscription options to receive continuous access to the latest MIPS Technologies-developed Linux, hundreds of cross-compiled packages, a processor-optimized cross-development environment, alerts to relevant updates and Developer Exchange access to interactive support from TimeSys, MIPS Technologies and the Open Source community.  The combination of features available exclusively through LinuxLink equips users with ongoing access to the most up-to-date embedded Linux resource for the MIPS32 24KE core family throughout every stage of development.

The LinuxLink subscription for the 24KE core family includes a 2.6 version of the Linux kernel developed by MIPS Technologies to enhance performance of Linux on the 24KE core family as well as the latest patches from TimeSys and MIPS Technologies.  The subscription also includes the MIPS? Software Development Environment (SDE), an enhanced version of the GNU toolchain, including C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker, libraries, utilities and source-level debugger targeting embedded C/C++ development.  The SDE is required to take advantage of the MIPS? DSP ASE (Application Specific Extension).

"LinuxLink is ideal for rapidly turning the latest MIPS Technologies-developed optimizations into a commercially-supported Linux solution that enables maximum performance on the 24KE core family," said Mike Uhler, chief technology officer, MIPS Technologies.  "Our licensees and their customers can turn to LinuxLink to develop custom Linux platforms for any project leveraging the 24KE core family."

MIPS Technologies has also developed a new hard disk-based distribution for the 4KEc?, 4KSd(TM), 24Kc(TM), 24Kf(TM), 24KEc(TM), and 24KEf(TM) cores using the tools and components of LinuxLink by TimeSys. The new distribution from MIPS Technologies includes the latest technologies to optimize embedded application performance on processors in the MIPS32 4K? and 24K? core families and will be shipped on a hard drive included with each MIPS Malta(TM) development board in March.  Malta users can leverage the distribution as a good starting point for development. They can then choose among a number of flexible LinuxLink subscriptions to receive access to the latest updates, community support and development and test tools for development targeting the 4K and 24K core families.
 
"LinuxLink brings the latest Linux features and optimizations to MIPS Technologies' customers in continuously updated, commercially supported subscriptions that aid and empower embedded development efforts," said Larry Weidman, president and CEO of TimeSys. "MIPS Technologies has a long history of technical innovation, and their choice of LinuxLink shows their commitment to supplying their users with the best resources that give them a competitive edge when developing a Linux-based solution."

About the MIPS32 24KE Core Family

The MIPS32 24KE core family leverages the high-performance 24K(TM) microarchitecture while incorporating the MIPS DSP Application Specific Extension (ASE). The ASE instruction set improves signal processing performance up to 200 percent over a range of embedded applications when compared to RISC implementations without the DSP ASE. The 24KE family provides very efficient DSP capability, while significantly reducing overall SoC die area, cost and power consumption.

Target markets for the 24KE cores include set-top boxes, DTVs, DVD recorders, voice switches, IP phones, digital cameras, printers, modems, residential gateways and automotive telematics. Typical applications enhanced by the 24KE cores include voice and speech processing, narrow band, broadband, digital audio, graphics, video and imaging.

About the LinuxLink Subscription for the MIPS32 24KE Core Family

The LinuxLink subscription for the MIPS32 24KE core family is available now and is licensed annually per-processor for $3,000. For more information, visit http://www.timesys.com/processor/mips.htm.

About TimeSys Corporation

TimeSys is the leading developer service provider for the embedded Linux market, delivering LinuxLink subscriptions that empower developers to rapidly and efficiently create their own commercial-grade custom Linux platform.  The continuously updated cross-compiled components, information and systems offered through LinuxLink subscriptions are aggregated from the open source community, semiconductor manufacturers and TimeSys and hosted in the TimeSys Network. For more information, visit www.timesys.com.