MIPS Technologies' 24K Core and Sonics' SiliconBackplane SMART Interconnect IP Provide a Fast-to-Market Digital Multimedia SOC Solution

Integrated Core/Interconnect IP Simplify Development of  Complex, High Performance SOCs

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 4, 2004 – MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIPS) and Sonics Inc., a leading provider of SOC (system-on-chip) architectures and SMART Interconnect IP products, today announced that their customers now can seamlessly integrate Sonics’ SiliconBackplane(TM) III MicroNetwork, an innovative, multimedia-optimized SOC interconnect IP, with a MIPS32(R) 24Kc(TM) core, part of the embedded industry’s highest performance 32-bit synthesizable processor core family.  This combination of a high performance 32-bit processor and SMART interconnect IP can dramatically cut the development time of cost-effective SOCs for digital multimedia applications, such as digital set-top boxes and digital TVs.

 
Sonics SiliconBackplane III is a proven on-chip communication solution to the timing closure challenges posed by 90nm and below process technologies.  It connects a 24Kc core to any other IP block, such as DSPs or MPEG2 and MPEG4 encoders/decoders, with a high degree of silicon efficiency and high data throughput to and from memory.  This solution replaces the almost unmanageable collection of buses, custom interconnects and control wires traditionally used in SOCs, resulting in faster design closure and higher degrees of design reuse. 
 
“Sonics’ SiliconBackplane III SMART Interconnect IP is an architecture that simplifies and improves the development of complex, multimedia SOCs. Those who choose to take advantage of third party IP and the OCP socket standard on a 24K core have an excellent option in SiliconBackplane for efficiently moving multiple data streams at very high speeds,” said Tom Petersen, director of product marketing at MIPS Technologies.
 
“MIPS Technologies is the market leader in high performance embedded multimedia applications, such as digital set-top boxes and digital TVs,” said James Colgan, director of product marketing at Sonics. “The new high performance MIPS32 24K core family is ideally suited for the demanding requirements of next generation multimedia applications. SOC designers who take advantage of SiliconBackplane with a 24K core will get their high performance MIPS-Based SOCs to market faster at a much lower cost.”

About the MIPS32 24K Core Family
The MIPS32 24K core family, which includes the 24Kc(TM), 24Kc Pro, 24Kf(TM) and 24Kf Pro versions, offers performance from 400 to 550 MHz worst case in a 0.13 micron process, the highest frequency available in 32-bit synthesizable cores for embedded markets, while minimizing design time and reducing product costs. Tailored SOC design methodologies, an Open Core Protocol (OCP) based interconnect structure, standard libraries and on-chip memories from industry-leading companies help speed time-to-market, an important advantage for a processor core suited to embedded consumer applications such as digital and interactive TVs, set-top boxes and DVD players.  For more information, visit the MIPS Technologies Website or contact the company at +1 650 567 5000.

About Sonics, Inc.
Sonics, Inc. is a leading provider of SOC architectures and SMART Interconnect Intellectual Property (IP) that accelerate the development of complex SOCs, reduce development costs and increase the reusability of IP. Major semiconductor and systems companies including Broadcom, Samsung, Texas Instruments and Toshiba have applied Sonics architectures, IP products and methodologies in SOCs used in leading products in the wireless, digital multimedia and communications markets. Sonics customers have experienced dramatic reduction in time to market, from years to months, while enjoying savings in design and manufacturing costs. Sonics is a privately held company funded by Investar Capital, Smart Technology Ventures, TL Ventures, Easton Hunt Capital, Globespan Capital, and H&Q Asia-Pacific. For more information, see www.sonicsinc.com.

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.
 
MIPS and MIPS32 are registered trademarks in the United States and other countries, and MIPS-Based, 24K, 24Kc and 24Kf are trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc.  SiliconBackplane and MemMax are trademarks of Sonics, Inc. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.