Atmel Announces a Secure Chip for Both Smart Card and Embedded Applications.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2002

The First Smart Card Chip Capable of 2-Mbytes Per Second Streaming

Encryption and the Only IC of Its Kind Manufactured in the United

States

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML) today announced the availability of its high performance AT91SC321RC security chip, providing ultra-secure storage of sensitive information for government and high value commercial applications. The chip includes encryption performance and I/O speeds normally associated with expensive multi-chip boards, allowing larger files to be encrypted faster and more securely than using other smart cards. The versatile I/O capability permits this chip to be used in both embedded systems and smart cards. The chip was developed in partnership with SSP-Litronic, the government enterprise division of security provider SSP Solutions (Nasdaq:SSPX), and is being used in the firm's USA (Universal Secure Access(TM)) Forte smart card, the most powerful smart card to date. USA Forte is designed for high volume usage in multiple government applications.

The 32-bit ARM(R) core-based chip is capable of streaming encryption bandwidths up to 2-Mbytes per second using an on-chip DES accelerator and a high speed USB I/O port. An asymmetric cryptographic engine supports on-chip key generation of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) key lengths to 2048 bits. An ISO 7816 interface is included for smart cards.

USB tokens, set top boxes and point-of-sale terminals are just a few of the systems where this advanced chip can offer a superior solution. Atmel has available today an ARM tools-based software development toolkit that includes an emulation box and power supply. Customers can choose from a large ARM tool software development vendor list.

Chris Baumann, Atmel's director of BiCMOS and Secure Products commented, "This chip represents the pinnacle of Atmel's cryptographic product line to date. This product offers unyielding protection against malicious attacks. We're excited because we are seeing extraordinary growth in this market as more and more customers begin to use this chip to protect their data."

"SSP's strategic partnership with Atmel has resulted in significant product developments in the smart card market. By integrating their powerful encryption technology into next generation smart cards such as USA Forte, we're offering users a secure setting where digital content can be processed and authenticated - a critical benchmark for widespread growth and acceptance of smart card technology," said Kris Shah, co-chairman and co-CEO, SSP Solutions, Inc.

The AT91SC321RC is available now to select customers and general sampling will be begin in the second quarter of 2002. Pricing for OEMs is less than $15.00 per unit in quantities of 10,000 units. The part will be available in both smart card modules and 24-pin SOIC packages.

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.

About SSP Solutions, Inc.

SSP Solutions, Inc. develops and distributes the SSP(TM) Solution Suite of services, hardware, software, and embedded security products designed as the Trusted Symbol of the Digital Economy(TM). The company's SSP Litronic Division has a 30-year history of providing data security solutions for government communications. SSP products embed security and trust throughout the transaction chain protecting electronic communications and financial transactions, physical and electronic access, and the exchange of copyrighted digital content. By combining its own technology with a range of partners' technologies and intellectual properties, SSP products represent the first, open embedded security architecture simultaneously supporting public key infrastructure (PKI) and multiple standards of digital rights management. SSP's custom-made enterprise security solutions address digital rights management, financial services, government, entertainment, healthcare, and education - and form the heart of a ten-year alliance with Electronic Data Systems (NYSE: EDS), the nation's largest systems integrator and a global leader in information assurance. For additional company information, visit http://www.sspsolutions.com or call [phone].

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation 

Reform Act of 1995

With the exception of historical information, matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements involving a number of risks and uncertainties, and may not be achieved due to factors beyond our control, including changing regulatory and technological environments, technological difficulties, increased competition and changing customer demands. Other risks inherent in our business are described in Securities and Exchange Commission filings. SSP Solutions, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Information

Atmel product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com

Atmel, the Atmel logo and combinations thereof and others contained herein, are trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others.