ARC Technology Chosen by Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe for Next-Generation Consumer Applications.

ELSTREE, England -- Fujitsu Renews Commitment to ARC(TM) with New License for the High-Performance ARC 700 Configurable Processor Core 

ARC International (LSE:ARK), the world leader in configurable CPU/DSP processor cores and application subsystems, today announced that Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has taken a license for the ARC(TM) 700 configurable processor core for use in high-volume consumer applications. An ARC customer since 2001, this new licensing agreement deepens Fujitsu's commitment to ARC's configurable architecture.

Fujitsu selected the ARC 700 processor core because of its ability to deliver very high performance in a small die size. At up to 405 MHz in a 0.13 micron process, the configured versions of the ARC 700 core family consume as little as 0.72mm(2) of silicon die area. The processors' range of configurable options allows customers to select only the features they need and extend the core with custom instructions to optimize the design to the end application.

"Because of the success of our ARC-Based designs, we have expanded Fujitsu's commitment to ARC's configurable architecture by taking a license for the high-performance ARC 700 core," said Dirk Weinsziehr, senior director marketing at Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe. "By extending the core we are able to enhance its performance while retaining a small form factor, making it an ideal match for our next high-volume consumer chip.

"ARC-Based products continue to be extremely successful for our company and have helped expand our technology into key consumer market segments," continued Weinsziehr. "Our further investment in the ARC architecture is a strategic decision for Fujitsu."

"Fujitsu's standardization upon the ARC architecture underscores the growing number of industry leaders that are leveraging our configurable technology for high-volume consumer applications," said Derek Meyer, vice president of marketing at ARC International. "By enabling customers to add custom instructions to an ARC core, SoC designers can have a proprietary yet cost-effective solution. We are pleased with the deepening partnership with Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe and look forward to contributing to the future success of their next-generation ARC-Based products."

ARC(TM) 700 Processor Family

The ARC 700 family of configurable cores combines a powerful 32-bit CPU and a full-featured DSP engine in a unified architecture. ARC 700 cores have the computing power to meet the needs of the most demanding SoC tasks, such as graphics, media codecs and packet processing. Cores within the ARC 700 family also are ideal for high-end embedded OSs, such as Linux. For additional information, visit www.ARC.com/700.

About ARC International plc

ARC International is the world leader in low-power, high-performance 32-bit configurable CPU/DSP processor cores, subsystems, real-time operating systems and development tools for embedded system design. ARC's configurable and extendible cores assist customers in the development of next generation digital media, consumer and communications devices, resulting in lower cost, higher performance SoC products.

ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporate offices in San Jose, California, USA and Elstree, UK. The company has research and development offices located in England and the United States. For more information please visit the ARC website at www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc (LSE:ARK).

ARC, the ARC logo and ARC-Based are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names contained herein are the property of their respective owners. This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For factors that could cause actual results to differ, visit the company's website as well as the listing particulars filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales.

Note: In "0.72mm(2)," the "2" should read as superscript.