Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 25th April 2006 – Handshake Solutions, a line of business of Philips Electronics, today launched the Handshake Technology Ecosystem. This cooperative network aims to include design houses, IP suppliers, tool resellers and training providers as well as EDA vendors and foundries, enabling customers to benefit from complete end-to-end clockless IC (integrated circuits) design solutions. With the first members already in place, the Handshake Technology Ecosystem will make it easier for the industry to harvest the unique fruits of clockless IC technology such as low power, low current peaks and low electromagnetic emissions.
 
“The Handshake Technology Ecosystem adds value for member companies, their customers and the market in general,” explained Wouter Van Roost, CEO of Handshake Solutions. “Members benefit from the pooling of talent, information and technology. As a result they can offer unique solutions based on our clockless technology that would not otherwise have been possible.”

As a first step, Handshake Solutions is partnering with leading solution support partner IBM Japan Industrial Solutions Co. Ltd and renowned design houses Bruco Integrated Circuits, Silicon & Software Systems Ltd (S3) and GDA Technologies Inc.

The first members already have experience with Handshake Technology – Handshake Solutions’ robust clockless design methodology. Their proven know-how and capabilities complement those of Handshake Solutions, enabling the Ecosystem to offer customers a rapid and efficient route to market for innovative new products or features based on Handshake Technology. This route allows customers to access the many benefits of clockless ICs, no matter what level of internal design resources they have available.
 
“S3 is excited about joining the Handshake Technology Ecosystem. As a provider of leading-edge professional design services we have been working with their Handshake Technology for a number of years, building up an in-depth knowledge and capability in the area,” said Dermot Barry, General Manager of S3’s System IC Business Unit. “Our partnership is based on strong working relationships with the management and technology teams at Handshake Solutions.”
 
“Joining the Handshake Technology Ecosystem allows IBM Japan Industrial Solutions to be the first and only supplier in Japan to deliver end-to-end clockless design solutions, extending our offering to an unprecedented breadth.” said Yukio Ohya, Director of EDA & Business Consulting at IBM Japan Industrial Solutions Co. Ltd. “We can now provide our customers all the benefits of Handshake Technology plus the comfort of local, customized support.”

“The Handshake Technology Ecosystem is a great vehicle for Bruco’s customers to benefit from many years of experience in mixed-signal IC-creation." said Clemens Mensink, Account and Line manager of Bruco BV. “Handshake Technology allows us to overcome some classical design issues and provide customers with fast-turnaround state-of-the-art designs, giving them a significant step forward. Bruco is convinced that cooperation makes all parties stronger and we are therefore pleased to take part in this initiative”.

“We are pleased to be a member of the Handshake Technology Ecosystem and offer our mutual customers in the consumer and mobile markets a mature and well proven clockless design solution,” said Ravi Thummarukudy, VP & GM IC Solutions Business Unit at GDA Technologies Inc, a leading provider of Electronic Design services and IP Solutions. “GDA is a leader in use of the latest design tools and methodologies and will work with Handshake Solutions to help accelerate adoption of their clockless design methodology.”

Unlike conventional ICs, clockless circuits don’t use a clock and associated architecture to control chip activity. This dramatically reduces power consumption, allowing designers to squeeze more functionality into limited power budgets. It also results in significantly lower electromagnetic emission and current spikes – making it much easier and quicker to integrate RF, analog and other sensitive components.

To support the growth of the Ecosystem and aid in the knowledge transfer a range of support tools, such as a dedicated web portal, are being developed. Handshake Solutions already offers an extremely disciplined design methodology that delivers the unique benefits of clockless design within a commercial environment. The methodology is supported by easy-to-use and thoroughly field-tested tools and complemented by design services and standard IP blocks. Information on current IP, tools and support for Handshake Technology can be found at www.HandshakeSolutions.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,498 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.