Atmel Chooses ARM Technology For Next-Generation 32-Bit Secure Systems

CAMBRIDGE, UK and SAN JOSE, CA, USA, Dec 13, 2000 -- ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, and Atmel Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML) today announced that Atmel has licensed ARM's SecurCore[tm] technology (ARM Launches First 32-bit RISC Processor for Smart Cards - Oct. 24, 2000) for high-performance, low-power 32-bit secure chip solutions.

"We welcome the introduction of the ARM® SecurCore processor and tools technology," said Lucien Brau, vice president, Smart Card IC Business Division. "Atmel is recognized as a world leader in secure smart card design and manufacture, and it is fitting that we should be the first company to adopt ARM's new approach to smart card security and high-performance 32-bit processing."

"ARM is committed to the security/smart card market, as evidenced by the recent opening of our eCommerce Design Center in Sophia Antipolis," said Steve Evans, vice president, Segment Marketing , ARM. "Our new SecurCore technology, which provides excellent Java Card performance and supplements our innovative architecture with application specific enhancements to meet the security needs of the industry, such as Java Card support, will enable industry leaders like Atmel to rapidly meet the needs of the growing secure market."

For more information on the ARM SecurCore family, visit the ARM website

About Atmel
Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartererd in San Jose, California with principal manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets, on a worldwide basis, advanced logic, mixed-signal, non-volatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using advanced CMOS, BiCMOS, bipolar SiGe, and high voltage BCDMOS process technologies. Atmel product and financial information can be retrieved from its Fax-on-Demand service. In North America call 1-800-292-8635 or Internationally from a fax phone, call 1-408-441-0732. Requests may be made via e-mail to literature@atmel.com or by visiting Atmel's web site at www.atmel.com.

About ARM
ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, handheld computing, multimedia and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com/.

# # #

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. SecurCore is a trademark of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and NASDAQ: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan.

AVR, Atmel, the Atmel logo and combinations thereof and others contained herein, are trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Atmel
Herve Roche
Marketing Manager IT
email : hroche@atmel.fr
tel : :33- 442 53 68 96

ARM
Michelle Spencer
Corporate Communications Manager
email: michelle.spencer@arm.com
tel: +441628 427780

Debbie Ogilvie
Communication Manager
email : dogilvie@atmel.com
tel +44 1355 803408