Hynix Semiconductor (formerly Hyundai Electronics) Licenses picoTurbo Microprocessor Cores

Strategic alliance formed for advanced SOC and ASIC development with time-to-market advantages

MILPITAS, Calif. (June 11, 2001) – picoTurbo, a leading provider of synthesizable RISC microprocessor cores, today announced it has licensed its two most popular microprocessors to Hynix Semiconductor Inc. (formerly Hyundai Electronics), one of the world's top 10 semiconductor companies. The licensing agreement grants Hynix the use of picoTurbo's proven microprocessor technology in advanced systems-on-a-chip (SOC) designs, with manufacturing by Hynix foundries.

A leader in semiconductor process technology, Hynix has licensed the pT-100 and pT-110 microprocessor cores to enhance its core intellectual property (IP) offering for customers developing advanced ASICs and SOCs. These customers have access to picoTurbo cores that are easily ported to any of several available process technologies.

The pT-100 core is ideal for handheld battery-powered devices including cellular phones, MP3 players, smartcards and portable media storage, while the pT-110 core is optimal for processing-intensive applications, including wireless Internet devices, PDAs, smartphones, Internet appliances, set-top boxes , modems and residential gateways.

"The picoTurbo microprocessor cores give Hynix a stronger offering for customers asking for small but powerful embedded cores for their SOCs," said Channy Lee, executive director and general manager of Hynix Semiconductor Manufacturing Service Business Unit (SMS BU) responsible for foundry, COT and ASIC services. "These cores deliver the additional options that add value to our IP product offering and give ASIC and SOC customers the design and performance edge they need in extremely competitive markets."

picoTurbo's customers can now take ASIC and SOC designs with picoTurbo embedded cores to Hynix for fabrication, providing system OEMs, IDMs and fabless companies more choices in advanced technology processes and manufacturing fabs. picoTurbo will charge a per-use fee for each SOC design to be manufactured.

"Our relationship with Hynix Semiconductor benefits customers of both companies by broadening access to a powerful new combination – the tried-and-proven picoTurbo cores plus the manufacturing strengths of Hynix," said Bruno Kajiyama, vice president of marketing for picoTurbo. "Hynix has established a mature position in the semiconductor market with highly innovative capabilities, and we are delighted to join forces for mutual advantage in advanced SOC and ASIC design."

About picoTurbo:
picoTurbo, Inc. is a leading provider of 16/32-bit RISC microprocessor cores in the mobile, wireless and embedded markets. With synthesizable high-performance cores and Turn-key IPÔ solutions, picoTurbo offers design flexibility, lower development costs and maximum manufacturing freedom for semiconductor manufacturers, fabless companies, ASIC vendors and system OEMs. picoTurbo's innovations reduce time-to-market and increase performance by enhancing microprocessor capabilities and enabling new applications, while leveraging industry standard legacy software. picoTurbo is based in Silicon Valley (U.S.), with a Taiwan design center and worldwide distributors. For more information, visit www.picoturbo.com or call (408) 586-8801.

picoTurbo, picoTurbo logo, pT-100, pT-110, and Turn-key IP are trademarks of picoTurbo, Inc.

About Hynix Semiconductor:
Hynix Semiconductor Inc., with its principal place of business in Ichon, Korea, is an industry leader in the development, sales, marketing and distribution of high-quality semiconductors including DRAM, SRAM, Flash memory and System IC products. It is the world's largest DRAM supplier with twelve semiconductor manufacturing facilities worldwide. In addition, Hynix is aggressively expanding its System IC business. Hynix plans to derive 30% of its revenue from System IC products in 2003 by focusing on foundry services and standard products including LCD Driver IC, MCU and CMOS Image Sensor. More information on Hynix Semiconductor Inc. and its products is available from the company's web site at http://www.hynix.com.

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