u-Nav Microelectronics Picks Tensilica's Xtensa Processors for Portable GPS Systems

Update: Cadence Completes Acquisition of Tensilica (Apr 24, 2013)

Low Power was Key Criteria for u-Nav’s Choice of Xtensa Processors

Santa Clara, Calif. – February 6, 2006 – Tensilica, Inc. today announced that u-Nav Microelectronics, a worldwide leader in ultra-low power Global Positioning Systems (GPS) semiconductors, has picked the Xtensa configurable processors for its next-generation GPS designs, which will be targeted for portable applications such as mobile wireless handsets and consumer devices.

“We selected the Tensilica Xtensa processor because they offered us the most flexibility and achieved the lowest power for a programmable solution.” stated Greg Winner, COO of u-Nav Microelectronics. “With the ability to customize Xtensa through Tensilica’s automated processor generation technology, and the inclusion of u-Nav’s custom instructions, we created a unique way to significantly lower the total power consumption of our complete GPS system-on-chip design.”

“Many engineering teams assume that configurable processor technology is useful only in applications that have significant high performance (speed) requirements. But the engineers at

u-Nav quickly realized that extending the Xtensa processor through our TIE (Tensilica Instruction Extension) language and processor generator technology was an ideal method to drive towards optimal power efficiency for mobile applications,” stated Steve Roddy, Tensilica’s vice president of marketing. “At Tensilica we are excited to be partnering with u-Nav as this relationship highlights yet another win for the Xtensa architecture in high-volume mobile handset applications.”

About u-Nav Microelectronics

u-Nav is a privately held, fabless semiconductor company that develops GPS semiconductor and software solutions for the emerging mobile location based services market. u-Nav's technology delivers ultra-low power, and leading-edge performance enabling operation indoors and in urban canyons. u-Nav Microelectronics is headquartered in Irvine, California, with design and development centers in Irvine, Singapore and Tampere, Finland. Applications and Sales offices are located worldwide.

About Tensilica

Tensilica was founded in July 1997 to address the growing need for optimized, application-specific processor solutions in high-volume embedded SOC applications. With over 80 customers worldwide for its Xtensa configurable and extensible processor cores, Tensilica is the only company that has transformed the once-arduous task of generating a customized processor core and companion software development tool environment into an automated process that takes less than one hour. For more information on Tensilica's patented approach to the creation of application-specific building blocks for SOC design, visit www.tensilica.com.