Atmel and ARM Expand Strategic Relationship With Subscription License Agreement

Subscription license grants Atmel access to ARM Cortex processor IP

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- May 20, 2009 -- Atmel(R) Corporation and ARM today announced an extension to their strategic relationship with a new subscription license agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Atmel gains access to a number of existing and future ARM(R) Cortex(TM) processors for use in products aimed at a broad variety of applications and markets.

The subscription license agreement is an extension of the long-term relationship between the two companies and reinforces Atmel's commitment to the ARM architecture, complementing its existing licenses for the ARM7TDMI(R), ARM926EJ-S(TM), and ARM1176JZ-S(TM) processors, and most recently, the Cortex-M3 processor.

"The agreement with Atmel demonstrates the exceptional momentum behind the ARM Cortex family of processors," said Eric Schorn, vice president, marketing, Processor Division, ARM. "We look forward to working closely with Atmel as it introduces new designs and enhancements in products ranging from microcontrollers through to high-end system solutions."

"This new agreement is the next phase in the long-term and highly fruitful working relationship between Atmel and ARM," said Alfredo Vadillo, Atmel's managing director for ARM microcontrollers. "It secures the roadmap for future members of our industry-leading ARM processor-based product family. Our ARM products capitalize on the ease of application development thanks to the code compatibility across the ARM architecture, and to the vast and growing support ecosystem that exists around ARM processor-based microcontrollers and embedded microprocessors. This is a supplement to our strong AVR(R) and AVR(R)32 microcontroller portfolio," he concluded.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

Information:

Atmel's AT91SAM ARM-based microcontroller product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/products/at91/default.asp