Atmel Announces Linux Port for the AT91RM9200 ARM9 Core-based Microcontroller

Open-source Linux Operating System provides Fully-supported Development Path for AT91RM9200 and ARM9 core-based ASIC Applications

San Jose, CA USA - September 22, 2003 . . . Atmel® Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the launch of a Linux® operating system port for its AT91RM9200 microcontroller and its ARM®9 core-based ASICs. It enables application developers to take full advantage of the resources and support from the growing worldwide Linux community. The AT91RM9200 development kit (AT91RM9200-DK) with Linux support is available now with a ready-to-use Linux development environment.

The AT91RM9200 Linux portconsists of the industry-standard Linux V2.4.19 kernel, the ARM9 Linux adaptation maintained by the ARM Linux support team, and a set of AT91RM9200 Linux code modules that comprise the peripheral drivers and a kernel patch for the AT91RM9200-specific features (advanced interrupt controller and system timer). It includes a minimal RAM disk that contains the most frequently used commands. These elements are available as both source code (C and Assembler) and as compiled binary objects. They may be obtained from the Atmel web site -(www.atmel.com), or downloaded from the SourceForge web site (www.sourceforge.net).

The standard AT91RM9200-DK is supplied with all the software tools a developer needs on CD-ROM. In addition to the AT91RM9200 Linux port, this CD-ROM has the open-source GNU toolchain (in source and compiled versions) including a C compiler, GLIBC library and utilities, as well as the U-Boot loader utility. A comprehensive include file defines all the register names, fields and offsets in the AT91RM9200 architecture. It forms the basis of the AT91RM9200 Linux port and is also intended for use in any applications running on the AT91RM9200. This inclusive set of tools and utilities, running on the AT91RM9200 development kit, simplifies and shortens the development of applications.

The AT91RM9200 can serve as an architecture platform in Atmel's SiliconCITY™ strategy for development of derived ASICs or ASSPs in a minimum timeframe and risk. The full access to the source code of the Linux port enables customers to rapidly adapt it to the derived ASIC or ASSP. This considerably reduces the software development effort that is required in parallel to the hardware architectural development of an ARM9-based System-on-Chip.

Jacko Wilbrink, Atmel's ARM-based Product Manager commented, "The AT91RM9200 Linux port brings the resources of the worldwide Linux community to bear on our industry-leading ARM9 core-based standard product. Together with the ready-to-use AT91RM9200 Development Kit, it provides a well supported path to rapid application development. It also represents another milestone in our progress towards the modular re-use of hardware and software IP in standard products and ASICs that support our SiliconCITY platform initiatives."

About SiliconCITY

SiliconCITY is the creative foundation for Atmel's ASIC/ASSP product strategy. It is built on re-useable and validated IP and architectures from Atmel's broad line of standard products and ASSPs within its System-on-Chip portfolio. Atmel has SiliconCITY platforms available now to give customers a significant time-to-market advantage. In addition, the common design infrastructure allows customers to seamlessly migrate from standard products to custom ASICs with confidence in first pass success.SiliconCITY from Atmel…Your System Foundation.

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, California with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

© Atmel Corporation 2003. All rights reserved. Atmel and the Atmel logo are registered trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. SiliconCITY is a trademark of Atmel Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. "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; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Other terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others.