MIPS® Architecture the Focus of Attention at Embedded Processor Forum

High Performance Takes the Spotlight as AMD, Micron, NEC, MIPS Technologies and Intrinsity Launch MIPS-Based™ Products; Leading Chip Makers Discuss Technology TrendsSAN JOSE, Calif., Embedded Processor Forum, May 2, 2002  At the Embedded Processor Forum (EPF), the annual conference for developers of embedded microprocessors held this week, much of the attention was directed toward higher performance products, as evidenced by several product announcements, events and awards that focused on the high-performance, low-power 32- and 64-bit MIPS® architectures, MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIPS, MIPSB) announced today.

MIPS Technologies Chairman and CEO John Bourgoin kicked off the conference with a keynote speech on the trend toward higher performance, cost-efficient embedded processors  a trend reflected by a number of MIPS-based product announcements.  For example:

· MIPS Technologies introduced a 32-bit core designed to optimize multi-CPU SOCs, which address the rapidly increasing bandwidth requirements in broadband and networking devices.  Details on the MIPS32™ M4K™ core were presented at EPF's High-Performance Embedded Processors panel session.  The presentation may be viewed at www.mips.com in the "Press Room."

· AMD announced it has taken a license for the MIPS64 architecture, which it plans to use to develop 64-bit processors, in addition to its current product line of MIPS32-based processors, targeting personal connectivity devices.

· NEC Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary in the United States, NEC Electronics Inc., launched the 64-bit, MIPS-based VR7701™ high-performance, integrated system processor, the first in its new VR7700™ family of integrated processors.  The VR7701 processor is an ideal solution for many demanding Internet applications.

· Intrinsity, Inc. introduced its FastMATH™ Adaptive Signal Processor™ chip, which combines an innovative MIPS-based architecture with 2-GHz speeds, delivering unprecedented real-time signal-processing performance in applications that would otherwise require banks of DSPs, expensive FPGAs or power-hungry desktop CPUs.  The company also announced the 2-GHz FastMIPS™ high-performance embedded processor.  Both processors are based on the 32-bit MIPS32 architecture.

· Micron Technology, Inc. performed a technology demonstration of its new SC1 processor, which combines a high-performance MIPS-based RISC processor subsystem with eight megabytes of embedded DRAM and application-specific IP, creating a platform for a range of innovative new designs.

· QuickLogic Corp. and First Silicon Solutions (FS2) announced the availability of a real-time trace system analyzer for the QuickMIPS™ development platform.  By delivering concurrent hardware and software debug, the FS2 System Analyzer for QuickMIPS speeds overall system designs and gives engineers added flexibility.
 

Technology Roundtable
Dr. John Mashey, a MIPS CPU pioneer now with venture capital firm Sensei Partners, joined executives from AMD, Broadcom, Intrinsity, Micron Technology, NEC, PMC-Sierra and QuickLogic  all MIPS Technologies licensees  to discuss major technology trends.  The roundtable discussion was moderated by Markus Levy, senior analyst at In-Stat/MDR and president of the EEMBC benchmark consortium, and Keith Diefendorff, vice president of product strategy at MIPS Technologies.  An overview of the panelists' remarks plus copies of their slides will be made available shortly on www.mips.com.

Awards from Microprocessor Report
MIPS-based 64-bit products took two awards at Microprocessor Report's Analysts' Choice Awards dinner, held Monday evening at EPF.  In fact, they won in two of the three categories relevant to MIPS-based devices.  MIPS Technologies' MIPS64 20Kc™ core, the industry's highest performance licensable core, was named Best High-Performance Processor Core.  And Broadcom's BCM1250 processor, which features two MIPS64-based cores running at 800 MHz, was named Best High-Performance Embedded Processor.  Of the five nominees in this category, three are MIPS-based 64-bit processors:  the BCM1250 as well as NEC's VR 5500 and PMC-Sierra's RM9000X2.

About MIPS Technologies
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications.  The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions.  The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs.  MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products.  The company is based in Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at +1 (650) 567-5000 or www.mips.com.
 

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 MIPS is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, and MIPS32, MIPS64™, M4K™, 20Kc™, MIPS-based, FastMIPS™ and QuickMIPS™ are trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc.  All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Lee Garvin Flanagin
MIPS Technologies, Inc.
+1 (650) 567-5180
flanagin@mips.com