PIXIM Develops Breakthrough Digital Imaging Platform Utilizing ARM Technology; ARM Strengthens Presence in Embedded Image Capture Market

CAMBRIDGE, England and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY - news)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, and PIXIM, developer of Digital Pixel System(TM) image capture and process technology, today announced that PIXIM has licensed the ARM9E(TM) family of microprocessors for integration into PIXIM's digital imaging platform.

Pairing PIXIM's digital image platform with the flexibility and performance of the industry-leading ARM® microprocessors creates a new class of high quality and integrated products. These semiconductor and software solutions will be implemented in an array of applications requiring high-quality electronic photo capabilities, including security cameras, PDAs, bar code readers, machine vision, digital cameras, toys and mobile phones.

"By uniting the imaging expertise of PIXIM with the processing prowess of ARM we take best-of-class products from multiple companies and combine them into something much better. That is precisely what we are doing here," said Bob Weinschenk, president and CEO of PIXIM. "Additionally, we now offer our customers all the benefits ARM provides, including performance, programmability, flexibility and an extensive third-party tool set. The ARM9E family is ideally suited to applications such as ours, where low power consumption and small form factor are critical. ARM® technology will be a key element of our roadmaps going forward."

"This partnership with PIXIM further underlines ARM's strength in the imaging space," said Steve Evans, VP of Segment Marketing, ARM. "ARM technology, from core intellectual property (IP) to applications software, in conjunction with PIXIM's innovative imaging system technology, will lead the way in enabling a new generation of breakthrough imaging products."

The first products will be available in the second quarter 2002.

About Digital Pixel System

PIXIM's Digital Pixel System (DPS) technology is a new type of image capture and processing solution that is, for the first time, digital instead of analog in nature. The quantity of light striking each DPS picture element (pixel) is converted to a digital value at the earliest possible point -- that is at the pixel itself. This digital breakthrough, combined with PIXIM's world class imaging software, enables PIXIM to deliver higher image quality, lower power, smaller size, and the ability to integrate other system building blocks, such as ARM processors. The highly programmable and extensible ARM9(TM) cores will enable digital camera designers to easily customize features and options entirely in software, reducing development time and cost.

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-on-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 .

About PIXIM

PIXIM is a 35-employee, venture-backed fabless semiconductor company, headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. Its patented Digital Pixel System technology can be used to improve virtually every significant image acquisition product expected to be built in the next decade, producing superior pictures at a lower system cost than any competing architecture. The company was founded in 1999 with technology licensed from Stanford University. For more information visit our website at: http://www.pixim.com . PIXIM, DPS, and Digital Pixel System are trademarks of PIXIM, Inc.

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM9 and ARM9E are trademarks 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; and ARM France SAS.

For further information, please contact: Michelle Spencer of ARM, +44 1628 427780, michelle.spencer@arm.com; or Patrick Hall of The Townsend Agency, +1-858-457-4888, ext. 112, phall@townsendagency.com, for ARM.