ARC International Launches ARC CertiPHY Program to Address Need for Interoperability Between USB Solutions

ARC Aids SoC Developers with Interoperability Testing Program that Eases USB-IF Certification

San Jose, Calif., July 7, 2003 - ARC International (LSE:  ARK), a world leader in user-customizable processors, silicon peripheral IP, real-time operating systems and software tools for embedded system development, today unveiled its ARC CertiPHY™ program, representing an integral part of its existing physical layer (PHY) strategy.  Through close cooperation throughout the PHY design process and rigorous testing procedure with industry-leading Universal Serial Bus (USB) PHY developers, the ARC CertiPHY program provides market access to a portfolio of USB PHYs and PHY macrocells that are interoperable with ARC's USB controller cores.  Proven interoperability helps system-on-chip (SoC) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) customers reduce risk, avoid ASIC re-spins, shorten development times and decrease overall system development costs.  The ARC CertiPHY program partners include Chipidea Microelectronics, Genesys Logic, Innovative Semiconductors, Inc. (Innovative), Royal Philips Electronics and Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC).  

As part of the ARC CertiPHY program, ARC uses a set of highly structured and rigorous tests that completely exercise the interface that connects the PHY and the controller, mirroring the connectivity portion of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) Compliance Program.  This is especially relevant to SoC developers, as it provides evidence that the PHY/controller combination is capable of attaining certification from the USB-IF.

"The demand for interoperability has become critical with the increase in mixed-signal content, such as USB, in SoC designs.  With this growth comes the emergence of interoperability issues and communication malfunctions between the PHY and USB controller cores across the interface," said Mike Gulett, president and CEO at ARC.  "With the ARC CertiPHY program, ARC and its partners are demonstrating their commitment to addressing the increasingly complex interoperability needs of customers as they implement USB in embedded applications, while also expanding worldwide access to interoperable USB PHY solutions."

"With the continuing emergence of USB applications, device interoperability is of vital importance, providing ease of use to system engineers and their end customers," said Miguel Sampaio, director of digital technology center at Chipidea.  "By adapting its synthesizable model of the USB 2.0 PHY with UTMI interface to ARC's simulation environment through the ARC CertiPHY program, Chipidea has significantly increased the scope of USB system verification and achieved full coverage of interoperability testings, including critical timing constraints.  First, because our USB PHY model represents the actual physical implementation of Chipidea's USB PHY IP core, rather than just the high-level behavioral description used in other verification environments, and secondly because the UTMI interface represents the actual practical interface between ARC's Device Controller and the DPDM line connecting to the USB Responder model. This improves the ability of mutual ARC-Chipidea customers to verify at the system level their SoC applications with embedded USB functionality and bring proven, interoperable USB-based products to market."

"Teaming with ARC through the ARC CertiPHY program is a logical way to provide efficient, cost-effective and interoperable PHY solutions to the marketplace," said David Cho, president at Genesys Logic America at Genesys Logic.  "The proven combination of our high-performance USB PHYs and ARC's USB controller cores gives our customers a great, low-risk way to develop competitive, low-power products on time and on budget."

"As a leader in the market, Innovative knows access to industry-leading USB PHY solutions that are assured to interoperate seamlessly with the customer's chosen USB controller is key," said Nabil Takla, CEO at Innovative.  "Our involvement in the ARC CertiPHY program, which involves close cooperation throughout PHY design processes and rigorous testing procedures, allows us to provide this level of assurance to our customers."

"Philips has one of the industry's broadest ranges of USB PHY products for connected home and mobile consumer applications," said Rajeev Mehtani, wired products manager, at Philips Semiconductors.  "Supporting certification testing such as the ARC CertiPHY program and driving USB standards help Philips bring industry-leading PHY solutions to market that are compliance-tested and production ready."

"The need for seamless interoperability between the ARC USB controller core and SMSC PHY solutions is of significant importance to our mutual customers who do not want multivendor USB certification risk.  SMSC's expertise in developing low-cost, low-power USB PHY solutions brings a valuable perspective to ARC's interoperability initiative.  We believe our participation in the program will help our customers avoid ASIC and board re-spin costs and enable customers to deliver leading-edge USB solutions to market first," said Scott Delaney, SMSC's director of marketing – USB products.

About ARC
ARC International pioneered the integrated development environment for SoC design in an effort to minimize design risk for customers developing next generation wireless, networking and consumer electronics products.  ARC introduced the industry's first user-customizable 32-bit RISC/DSP processor core.  In early 2000, ARC became the first company to integrate the development tools, peripherals, RTOS and software that enable the designer to better design optimization and performance.  ARC's approach to providing a single source for the major SoC building blocks reduces the number of IP suppliers, reduces cost, reduces the risk of system-on-chip design and reduces time-to-market.

ARC's products include:

• The ARCtangentTM user-customizable 32-bit RISC/DSP processor;
• USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) High-Speed Host and Device; small Ethernet 10/100 MAC, and other peripherals;  
• MetaWare® C/C++ Compiler, the most popular integrated software development tool suite for SoC design;  
• SeeCodeTM, the leading tool for simultaneous, multi-processor debugging;
• Precise/RTCSTM, embedded Internet stack and related software protocols;
• Precise/MQXTM, a scalable real-time operating system (RTOS);   
• ARC's software tools, RTOS and embedded software are also available for ARM, PowerPC and MIPS processors.  

ARC International employs approximately 200 people in research and development, sales and marketing offices across North America, Europe and Asia.  Full details of the company's locations and other information are available on the company's website, www.ARC.com.  ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE:  ARK).

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, market acceptance of the ARC technology; fluctuations in and unpredictability of the Company's quarterly results; general economic and business conditions; regulatory policies adopted by governmental authorities; assumptions regarding the Company's future business strategy; changes in technology; competition; ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; risks associated with the Company's international operations; and other uncertainties that are discussed in the "Investment Considerations" section of the Company's listing particulars dated 28 September 2000 filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date such statement was first made. In view of the many applications in which its Licensees may use the ARC products, ARC cannot warrant that those applications do not infringe the patents of others. ARC strongly encourages its Licensees to become familiar with the policies governing the use and licensing of intellectual property established by any organization whose standards the Licensee wishes to follow, and to review the list most standards-promulgating organizations publish, of entities that claim to have patents relating to the relevant standards or underlying technology.

ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent, ARCangel, ARCompact, ARChitect, ARCform, CASSEIA, High C, High C/C++, SeeCode, MetaDeveloper, MetaWare, Precise Solution, Precise/BlazeNet, Precise/EDS, Precise/MFS, Precise/MQX, Precise/MQXsim, Precise/RTCS, Precise/RTCSsim are trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.