ARM Utilizes eASIC Devices to Validate Cortex-A9 MPCore Multicore Processor-Based Devices.

Nextreme NEW ASIC Delivers High Performance, Low Cost Solution for at Speed Verification

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- eASIC Corporation, a provider of low up-front development cost NEW ASICs, today announced that ARM [(LSE:ARM);(Nasdaq:ARMH)] has successfully validated its next-generation Cortex[TM]-A9 MPCore[TM] multicore processor using eASIC's Nextreme NEW ASICs. With Nextreme, ARM was able to perform at speed verification with significantly higher performance, and lower development cost compared to the high-end FPGA solution that was previously used.

The Cortex-A9 MPCore multicore processor is the latest in a strong portfolio of CPU cores now being designed-in across wireless, networking, consumer and home applications. The processor core integrates proven ARM[R] MPCore technology along with further enhancements to simplify and broaden the adoption of multi-core solutions and extending peak performance to unprecedented levels, while reducing power consumption at the processor and system level. Nextreme's fast logic fabric, dedicated memories and single Via-based interconnect were able to provide the performance required to fully test the new Cortex-A9 processor.

"We were able to develop our eASIC device in a reduced time and cost of a standard cell ASIC and with development costs that were even lower than an FPGA approach and the eASIC device worked right first time on our PBX-A9 validation and development board," said John Goodacre, Director, Program Management of ARM Processor Division. "We see the 90nm Nextreme eASIC technology as a very cost effective way of validating and demonstrating new products to our customer base and getting them to market much earlier."

"In addition to the growing acceptance from traditional FPGA and ASIC users, we also see considerable interest from conventional ASSP companies and IP providers who see eASIC technology as a way of developing at speed verification solutions that can even be taken into volume production," said Jasbinder Bhoot, Vice President of Marketing, eASIC Corporation. "As process geometries shrink, eASIC will become one of the few practical solutions to perform at speed verification of IP cores and ASSPs."

About eASIC

eASIC is a fabless semiconductor company offering breakthrough NEW ASIC devices aimed at dramatically reducing the overall cost and time-to-production of customized semiconductor devices. Low-cost, high-performance and fast-turn ASIC and System-on-Chip designs are enabled through patented technology utilizing Via-layer customizable routing. This innovative fabric allows eASIC to offer a new generation of ASICs with significantly lower up-front costs than traditional ASICs.

Privately held eASIC Corporation is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Investors include Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (KPCB), Crescendo Ventures, Advanced Equities Incorporated and Evergreen Partners. For more information on eASIC please visit www.eASIC.com

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. MPCore and Cortex 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; its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM Inc.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Limited.; ARM Taiwan Limited; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; ARM Germany GmbH; ARM Embedded Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; ARM Norway, AS; and ARM Sweden AB.