ARC's Configurable Cores Again Chosen By Conexant for Next-Generation System-on-Chip Design

ELSTREE, England, Dec. 7 , 2005 – ARC International plc (LSE: ARK) the world leader in configurable CPU/DSP processor cores and application subsystems, today announced that Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) has taken another license for an ARC™ 600 family configurable core and MQX™ RTOS and MetaWare® development tools to develop low cost, next-generation fax system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Conexant’s fax SoCs are used by major facsimile and multi-function peripheral manufacturers worldwide.

“In a highly competitive, high-volume market every penny saved in silicon cost goes directly to the bottom line,” says Derek Meyer, senior vice president of sales and marketing at ARC. “With our patented configurable CPU and DSP cores, SoC designers can add capability and remove unneeded functionality in the base core, which ensures the resulting ARC-Based processor is highly optimized to the end application. Conexant is the latest example of more than 100 innovators and industry leaders that have adopted our configurable solutions for a range of high-volume, cost-sensitive markets.”

About the Configurable ARC™ 600 Core Family
The configurable ARC 600 family delivers the lowest power and smallest 32-bit RISC CPU and DSP cores within the embedded industry. Its highly efficient architecture achieves 1.3 DMIPS/MHz in a 0.13 micron process. The ARC 600 family is ideal for cost-sensitive, battery operated applications and tasks such as embedded control, computation and DSP processing. ARC’s XY Advanced DSP subsystem and FPX floating point extensions are available options for most cores within the 600 family.

Using ARC’s patented configurable CPU technology, SoC designers can easily optimize an ARC processor for their specific applications. Features and instructions can be added or removed to achieve a highly differentiated solution that consumes less power and less silicon area, and is unique and proprietary to its creator. For additional information, visit www.ARC.com/600.

About ARC International plc
ARC International is the world leader in low-power, high-performance 32-bit configurable CPU/DSP processor cores, subsystems, real-time operating systems and development tools for embedded system design. ARC’s patented configurable CPU technology assists customers in the development of next generation digital media, consumer and communications devices, resulting in lower cost, higher performance SoC products.

ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporate offices in San Jose, California, USA and Elstree, UK. The company has research and development offices located in England and the United States. For more information please visit the ARC website at www.arc.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE: ARK).