ARC International Offers Software Suite for ARM9-Based Embedded Development Platforms; ARC Is Only Non-Royalty System Software Provider with Complete Solution.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2003

ARC International (LSE:ARK), a world leader in configurable System-on-Chip (SoC) platform technologies, announced the availability of a highly optimized suite of software development tools for the ARM9(TM) processor. The suite, called the MetaDeveloper(TM), includes ARC's MetaWare(R) C/C++ Compiler, SeeCode(TM) Debugger, Instruction Set Simulator, assembler, linker, profiler, RTOS and networking application prototyping, IDE and Precise/MQX(TM) RTOS and Precise/RTCS(TM) TCP/IP networking stacks. Using ARC's unified development tools allows developers using the ARM9 processor to eliminate the time and risk of working with multiple vendors, thus enabling them to bring products to market more quickly.

"Faultless tool integration and a single source for support are vital to a software design project," said Mike Gulett, president & CEO of ARC International. "ARC is uniquely positioned to offer the industry's most comprehensive, yet non-royalty package because we don't rely on outside sources to supply parts of our solution. Others may have either the RTOS or the debugging tools, or the networking components. Only ARC can supply everything and guarantee they will work together beyond the initial purchase date."

The MetaWare C/C++ Compiler provides developers with complete control over the compiler's language enforcement, code generation and optimization to achieve the most compact code size and optimize performance for ARM-based designs.

When using ARC's SeeCode Debugger, developers are presented with the same user interface either connecting to ARC's ARM-instruction set simulator or real target hardware via popular JTAG emulators. It is fully OS-aware for a variety of popular real-time operating systems, with integrated TCP/IP network stack aware debugging capability.

The Precise/MQX RTOS is a small, scalable and portable Real Time Operating System (RTOS), which delivers fast, deterministic performance and continuous reliable operation to meet the critical needs of the embedded applications. It is delivered with full source code and licensed royalty-free. MQX supports multi-tasking, priority-based pre-emptive and round-robin scheduling, memory management, run-time error detection, message passing, semaphores, performance measurement and self-testing and auditing.

ARC's Precise/RTCS is a compact, high-performance, portable embedded TCP/IP networking stack. RTCS includes essential networking functions and offers a wide variety of optional components including: HTTP, SNMPv3, POP3, SMTP, IPSec, PPPoE, OSPF, BGP4 and NAT.

ARC's system design and performance tools are part of the integrated development tool suite. The project-management toolkit allows developers to set up and start the following tools:

-- The Precise/EDS Client(TM) debugger-independent tool retrieves task-aware debugging information from an embedded application while the application is running.

-- The Precise/Design Tool is a rapid-prototyping tool which generates the application source code that defines the data structures, task, and application-layer interface to MQX and the RTCS(TM) embedded internet stack.

-- The Precise/Performance Tool presents graphical views of task execution data that has been captured during the execution of an application design with the MQX RTOS.

About ARC

ARC International is an industry-leading developer of embedded user-customizable, high-performance 32-bit RISC/DSP processor cores, with integrated development tools, peripherals, RTOS and software. These integrated products and solutions are a result of the acquisitions of MetaWare, VAutomation and Precise Software Technologies. ARC's integrated intellectual property solutions assist customers in rapidly developing next generation wireless, networking and consumer electronics products, reducing time to market, reducing their cost, reducing the number of IP suppliers and reducing their risk for system-on-chip products. Products based on ARC's technology include digital still cameras, set-top boxes, and network processors.

ARC International employs 200 people in research and development, sales, and marketing offices across North America, Europe and Israel. Full details of the company's locations and other information are on the company's web site, www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE:ARK).

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, market acceptance of the ARC technology; fluctuations in and unpredictability of the Company's quarterly results; general economic and business conditions; regulatory policies adopted by governmental authorities; assumptions regarding the Company's future business strategy; changes in technology; competition; ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; risks associated with the Company's international operations; and other uncertainties that are discussed in the "Investment Considerations" section of the Company's listing particulars dated 28 September 2000 filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date such statement was first made.

Note to Editors: ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent, High C/C++, SeeCode, MetaDeveloper, Precise/MQX, and Precise/RTCS are trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.