ARM and Sun Team Up to Offer Direct JavaOS Support for ARM RISC Architecture.

CAMBRIDGE, U.K. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Feb. 11, 1997--Advanced RISC Machines (ARM(a)) and Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s JavaSoft business unit today announced they have collaborated to enable the JavaOS operating system to run on the ARM RISC architecture.

The ARM version of JavaOS will now be available directly from JavaSoft. JavaSoft will license JavaOS for the ARM architecture and provide technical support directly to licensees electing that platform.

JavaOS is a highly compact, dynamically extensible operating system designed to run Java applications directly on microprocessors in anything from network computers (NCs), PDAs, mobile phones, printers and set-top boxes, to countless other devices. JavaOS is one of the smallest and fastest implementations of the Java platform available. In addition to the ARM processors, JavaOS runs on X86 and SPARC processors.

"ARM's strong semiconductor partnership and high-performance, power-efficient technology will enable Sun to build upon its current Java base in the network computing market and offer affordable, user-friendly, consumer information appliances," said Robin Saxby, CEO and president for ARM. "The ARM7500FE and StrongARM are at the heart of several industry-leading, thin-client internet appliances shipping today, and future ARM partner products will broaden and enhance our offering further."

"JavaSoft is pleased to be working directly with ARM to provide JavaOS support for the ARM family of processors," said David Spenhoff, director of product marketing for JavaSoft. "ARM has considerable experience optimizing CPU designs for a range of consumer products. This collaboration will help provide OEMs with an even wider choice of high-performance semiconductors upon which to build JavaOS-based devices."

ARM is one of the leading architectures in the growing market of NCs: Wyse Technology's ARM-based Winterm4000 Enhanced Network Computer (ENC) won BYTE Magazine's Best of COMDEX award for Best System. Additional ARM-based NCs and Internet appliances include the Acorn Office NC, the AlphaVision Kisun Internet Terminal, the Boundless Technology NC, the Daewoo/Teknema Internet TV set-top box, the Oracle NC, the Teknema EasyRider and the Viewcall Netsurfer.

"The Digital StrongARM SA-110 provides the highest performance on the market for running the JavaOS, making it the ideal engine for our award-winning Winterm4000 series," said Bruce McGeoch, senior vice president of Engineering and Technology for Wyse. "Our partnerships with ARM and Sun's JavaSoft group have allowed us to develop an ENC which meets the functionality and price points required by our customers."

The StrongARM SA-110 microprocessor, co-developed by ARM and Digital Semiconductor, has the highest published scores for the CaffeineMark 2.01 interpreted Java applet performance benchmark, in comparison to other well-known desktop systems. The StrongARM results were obtained with a prototype Internet terminal, a reference hardware design for the StrongARM SA-110 chip that was used by Digital to port the JavaOS operating system to the StrongARM architecture.

The ARM architecture is an ideal solution for cost- and power-sensitive markets. The ARM family includes the ARM7TDMI "Thumb," which reduces system cost with its excellent code density, the ARM7500 and ARM7500FE, which provide highly-integrated system solutions for Internet appliances, and the ARM810 and StrongARM processors, which enable supercomputer performance from two AA batteries.

Advanced RISC Machines (ARM)

ARM is the leader in microprocessor Intellectual Property. ARM designs and licenses fast, low cost, power efficient RISC processors, peripherals and "system-chip" solutions for embedded control, consumer/educational multimedia, DSP and portable applications. ARM supports its processor offerings with Development Hardware and Software and contract Design Services.

ARM licenses its technology to leading semiconductor, software, and OEM partners worldwide who focus on applications, design and manufacturing. Each partner offers unique ARM-related technologies and services which together satisfy a broad range of end-user needs. Through this partnering, ARM is rapidly becoming the global volume RISC standard. ARM has offices in Cambridge, U.K.; Los Gatos, Calif.; Munich, Germany; and Tokyo.

ARM's RISC processor technology is supported by leading applications software, development tools and operating systems. Operating systems supporting ARM include Accelerated Technology Nucleus PLUS, Acorn RISC OS, Eden OS, Etnoteam EOS, ISI pSOS, JavaSoft JavaOS, Lucent Technologies Inferno, Microsoft Windows CE, Microware OS-9, Motorola Memos, Perihelion Helios, Psion EPOC/32 and Wind River Tornado.

To learn more about ARM, visit the web site at http://www.arm.com

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

JavaSoft, headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., is a business unit of Sun Microsystems, Inc. The company's mission is to develop, market and support the Java technology and products based on it. Java supports networked applications and enables developers to write applications once that will run on any Java enabled machine. JavaSoft develops applications, tools and systems platforms to further enhance Java as the programming standard for complex networks such as the Internet and corporate intranets.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com -0-

Note to Editors: (a) Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ARM and the ARM Powered logo are trademarks of Advanced RISC Machines Limited. Winterm and ENC are trademarks of Wyse Technology. Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, the Java Coffee Cup logo, Java, JavaSoft, JavaOS, and the Network is the Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Endorsements

"Many vendors of Internet appliances and other embedded consumer products consider the Java operating system a key part of their strategies. Several manufacturers have already chosen StrongARM for its industry-leading performance on Java applications, and we expect to win many more designs."

Kevin Fielding StrongARM Product Line Manager Digital Semiconductor

"As the leading worldwide supplier of ARM CPU-based compute engines for the Access Device/Network Computer market, Cirrus Logic is pleased that Sun Microsystems and Advanced RISC Machines are partnering to bring JavaOS to this emerging market. Early feedback from our ARM-based customers indicates that they are eager to provide JavaOS support in their end-products and we view this announcement as further evidence that the IAD market is poised for dynamic growth."

George Alexy Senior Vice President of Marketing Cirrus Logic

"Alcatel Mietec welcomes the addition of JavaOS support to the ARM RISC family especially as it will enhance the value of smart phones and a wide variety of internet terminals including portable devices."

Dave Long Marketing Manager Alcatel Mietec

"Java support is an essential pillar of VLSI's Internet Engine product strategy. Building on our unrivalled experience in integrating the ARM architecture into system-level silicon solutions for innovative computing, communications and consumer electronic products, we see Internet-enabled information appliances rapidly evolving to play important roles in enterprise Intranets, consumer/educations information access and net-enhanced telephony."

Dale Roard Internet Engine Solutions Product Line Manager VLSI Technology, Inc

CONTACT: Sun Microsystems

Penny Bruce, 408/343-1796

[e-mail]

or

Cain Communications for ARM

Mark Alden, 408/291-2580

[e-mail]

or

A+ Group, Slough, UK

Peter Thomas, [phone]

[e-mail]

or

ARM KK

Chikako Okuyama, [phone]

[e-mail]

or

InComm, Seoul

Grace Kim, [phone]

[e-mail]