Systemonic taps Nordic for Intellectual Property and design expertise on next generation multiprotocol wireless solutions

Proven 0.18u Mixed Signal Blocks, including Ultra-low Power, High-speed A/D and D/A Converters, Key to Performance, Time-to-Market and Cost of Single Chip Tondelayo 2

San Jose, CA, Dresden, Germany and Oslo, Norway (August 26, 2002) – Systemonic, a leading developer of complete silicon system solutions for the global wireless communications market, today announced the selection of Nordic VLSI ASA to deliver key mixed signal portions of their next generation Wireless LAN silicon solution, Tondelayo 2. Under the terms of the agreement, Nordic VLSI ASA, one of Europe's leading independent design houses, will provide key mixed signal intellectual property (IP), complex SOC design know-how and a proven foundry-based manufacturing process to Systemonic. The two companies will also collaborate on future 0.13m designs targeted at delivering even more highly integrated wireless solutions to enable seamless connectivity across standards, across the world.

The two companies have been working closely to bring to market Systemonic's second-generation wireless LAN product, Tondelayo 2, a 120MHz, 0.18µ system-on-chip. This complete single-chip baseband solution is based on the company's On-DSP reconfigurable processing technology. The Tondelayo 2 will contain Nordic VLSI's silicon-proven nAD1080-18 data converter module. The pipeline-architecture, 10-bit, 80 million samples per second data converter consumes 40% much less power than any other 10-bit converter at this performance.

"Our substantial investments in intellectual property and software tools enable us to support customers like Systemonic with world-class products. We are showing the electronics community the benefits of the fabless ASIC model that allow us to choose world's leading manufacturers while enabling us to focus on our core strengths and customers. We are delighted to work for a company like Systemonic that is in the forefront of wireless technology and look forward to their success", says Svein-Egil Nielsen, Sales and Marketing Director at Nordic VLSI.

"Nordic's silicon proven, low power A/D and D/A converters enable us to increase our time-to-market leadership with high-performance, low-power, silicon solutions for multi-protocol and multi-band WLAN systems. Through our alliance with Nordic we will offer our customers low-cost products and a secure supply from world-leading manufacturers", said Ruediger Stroh, President and CEO of Systemonic.

Systemonic's Tondelayo1 is currently sampling to key OEMs and ODMs. The industry's first programmable, multi-protocol wireless LAN solution is rapidly gaining support and momentum across wide ranging platforms from PCMCIA cards to AV-LAN systems to wireless residential gateways. Tondelayo 2 will offer customers a migration path to a higher performance solution with smaller form factor.

About Systemonic

Systemonic delivers complete silicon system solutions for the global wireless communications market. Pioneers in multi-protocol and multi-band technology, Systemonic's silicon systems deliver wireless streaming video, data, and voice applications in homes, offices, and public places. The company's flexible, high-performance solutions help global computer, networking and consumer product OEMs speed the deployment of systems, compatible with multiple combinations of wireless standards, to market. Headquartered in San Jose, CA and Dresden, Germany, Systemonic also has operations in Maynard, MA and representation throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

About Nordic VLSI ASA
Nordic VLSI is one of the leading European independent IC design houses developing, producing and delivering state-of-the-art integrated circuits for customers worldwide. The company was founded in 1983, has shown a strong growth and has now locations in Trondheim and Oslo in Norway. The company has special focus on components for wireless communication, mixed signal and complex digital and analogue integrated circuit design. Nordic VLSI is well positioned in the following market segments: RF, data and telecom, industrial, medical, automotive and consumer electronics. The company develops, markets and sells standard off the shelf-integrated circuits, as well as integrated circuits based on customers specifications (ASICs). All operations are managed according to an ISO9001 approved quality assurance system. Nordic VLSI is also listed at the Norwegian stock exchange.