Virage Logic and MIPS Technologies Accelerate Processor Performance With Core-Optimized IP Kits

Performance Enhancements Enable Additional Functionality and Design Headroom

FREMONT, Calif. and MOUNTAIN VIEW Calif. -- Oct. 20, 2005 - - MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIPS) and Virage Logic Corp. (Nasdaq: VIRL) today announced an alliance to deliver the first in a series of new Core-Optimized Intellectual Property (IP) Kits comprising Virage Logic Area, Speed and Power (ASAP) Memory(TM) and ASAP Logic(TM) IP specifically tuned to maximize the performance of MIPS Technologies processors. The strategic alliance is expected to enable designers of MIPS-Based(TM) System-on-Chips (SoCs) to realize a significant performance boost while also enjoying extra design flexibility.

The first Core-Optimized IP Kit targets the MIPS32(R) 24K(R) and 24KE(TM) families of processor cores for manufacture on TSMC's 130 nanometer (nm) G process. The 24K and 24KE processor core families will hit clock frequencies of more than 440 MHz when implemented with the Core-Optimized IP Kit, which includes Virage Logic's ASAP Memory High-Speed (HS) instances and ASAP Logic HS standard cell libraries.

"By teaming with Virage Logic to provide their Core-Optimized IP Kits, we're delivering increased performance, added flexibility and faster deployment time to our customers," said Russ Bell, vice president of marketing at MIPS Technologies. "This is a natural extension of our long-standing, collaborative relationship with Virage Logic and further underscores the competitive advantages our joint customers enjoy."

"MIPS Technologies, already an established leader in high performance processor cores, is committed to continually advancing performance and improving the quality of customer experience, two goals that Virage Logic ardently shares," said Jim Ensell, vice president of marketing and business development at Virage Logic. "Our collaborative efforts to develop Virage Logic's industry-leading, high-speed memory and logic IP specifically for the MIPS32 24K and 24KE core families highlights the depth of the alliance between the two companies and provides tremendous benefits to designers of high performance systems."

This new multi-year, multiple processor cores agreement comes on the heels of a jointly announced simplified licensing model that enables SoC designers to license MIPS Technologies' 32-bit processor cores with Virage Logic's IP using a single license from MIPS Technologies (see "MIPS Technologies and Virage Logic Expand Alliance," Sept. 6, 2005).

About the MIPS32 24K and 24KE Cores

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 625 MHz worst case in a 130 nanometer process, the highest frequency available in licensable 32-bit synthesizable cores for embedded markets, while minimizing design time and reducing product costs. Tailored SoC design methodologies, an Open Core Protocol (OCP) 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.

MIPS32 24KE Core Family

Introduced in May 2005, the MIPS32 24KE family of cores is the first to integrate the MIPS(R) DSP Application-Specific Extension (ASE). The 24KE core family leverages the high performance 24K(TM) microarchitecture and efficiently adds DSP functionality while significantly reducing overall SoC die area, cost, and power consumption.

About Virage Logic's Core-Optimized IP Kits

Virage Logic's Core-Optimized IP Kits are specifically tuned to maximize the performance of a target processor. The 24K and 24KE processor families will hit clock frequencies of more than 440 MHz when implemented with the Core-Optimized IP Kit, which includes Virage Logic's ASAP Memory High-Speed (HS) instances and ASAP Logic HS standard cell libraries.

Availability

Virage Logic's Core-Optimized IP Kit for the MIPS32 24K and 24KE cores will be available for general distribution from both companies in late Q4 2005. 

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 http://www.mips.com.

About Virage Logic Corporation

Founded in 1996, Virage Logic Corporation rapidly established itself as a technology and market leader in providing advanced embedded memory intellectual property (IP) for the design of complex integrated circuits. Today the company is a global leader in semiconductor IP platforms comprising embedded memories, logic, and I/Os and is pioneering the development of a new class of IP called Silicon Aware IP. Silicon Aware IP tightly integrates Physical IP (memory, logic and I/Os) with the embedded test, diagnostic, and repair capabilities of Infrastructure IP to help ensure manufacturability and optimized yield at the advanced process nodes. Virage Logic's highly differentiated product portfolio provides higher performance, lower power, higher density and optimal yield to foundries, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and fabless customers who develop products for the consumer, communications and networking, hand-held and portable, and computer and graphics markets. The company uses its FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Characterization Lab for certain products to help ensure high quality, reliable IP across a wide range of foundries and process technologies. Headquartered in Fremont, California, Virage Logic has R&D, sales and support offices worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.viragelogic.com.