Sharp Taps MIPS Technologies’ Secure Data Processors to Develop Family of Next-Generation Smart Card Microcontrollers

MIPS32™ 4KS™ Core Family Provides Industry's Most Secure Licensable Processor Technology for Next-Generation Smart Card Microcontrollers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 12, 2003 - MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIPS, MIPSB), a leading provider of processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications, today announced that its 32-bit 4KS™ core family has been selected by Sharp Corp. for development of next-generation microcontrollers targeting secure data applications. Under the terms of the agreement, Sharp will combine its advanced high density 1M-byte flash memory with the industry's most secure, licensable, 32-bit cores, the 4KSc™ and 4KSd™ cores, to set new standards of security and performance for consumer products.

The drive to consolidate consumer information on a single secure platform, combined with a dramatic increase in applications requiring a host of personal data, has increased the demand for smart card technologies. The next generation of 32-bit smart cards, based on the proven MIPS32™ architecture, will meet this demand by offering consumers higher levels of security while hosting multiple applications on a single card.

MIPS Technologies' 4KS cores implement the patented SmartMIPS™ microarchitecture, featuring cryptography enhancements that bring a higher level of smart card processing security through special instructions designed for efficient cryptography processing. These integrated cryptography enhancements reduce the die size and power consumption while increasing cryptographic processing performance, eliminating the need for a coprocessor and reducing overall chip cost.

"The 4KSc and 4KSd cores offer the high performance capabilities inherent to the MIPS architecture that allow us the flexibility to integrate our technologies, particularly flash memory, into an innovative family of microcontrollers," said Kazuhiro Yaegawa, manager at Sharp's development department and IC card business development center. "We are confident that our adoption of MIPS cores will ensure that superior solutions are delivered to our customers."

"Smart cards and other secure data applications incorporating 32-bit technology offer enormous potential, and promise to significantly increase security and consumer confidence in a broad range of applications," commented Jack Browne, vice president of worldwide sales at MIPS Technologies. "Sharp, one of the world's leaders in the digital consumer market, is uniquely positioned to develop these market opportunities by coupling its world class design expertise and technology with our 4KS family of cores. We are delighted to welcome Sharp into the MIPS community."

About MIPS Technologies
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is based in Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at +1 (650) 567-5000 or www.mips.com.