Express Logic ThreadX RTOS support extended to ARC 600 and ARC 700.

SAN JOSE, Calif. and SAN DIEGO -- ARC International (LSE:ARK), a world leader in configurable RISC CPU/DSP processor cores and application platforms for digital media, consumer and communications devices, today announced its collaboration with Express Logic, Inc., the worldwide leader in royalty-free real-time operating systems (RTOS). This collaboration will provide ARC customers with ThreadX(R) RTOS support for the ARC(TM) 600 and ARC(TM) 700 configurable processor cores, as well as the ARCtangent(TM) cores. Developers can now use ThreadX to run embedded applications on a wider range of ARC's configurable cores.

Express Logic's ThreadX RTOS provides an easy-to-use and highly advanced multitasking solution for embedded developers. Combined with ARC's configurable cores, Express Logic's picokernel(TM) architecture delivers high-performance and extremely small memory requirements scaling down to 4Kbytes for reduced memory costs. ThreadX provides ARC 600 and ARC 700 application developers with significant technical innovations including fast software timers and a unique mechanism to help reduce context switching called preemption-threshold(TM). Also available for the ARC 600 and 700 processors is the full suite of Express Logic offerings including the NetX(TM) TCP/IP network stack, FileX(TM) file management system, and PegX(TM) graphics subsystem.

"Express Logic's ThreadX RTOS support makes it easier for engineers to develop deeply embedded applications that benefit from the flexibility and configurability offered by our cores," said David Fritz, ARC's vice president of Business Development. "Additionally, the ThreadX RTOS is supported by our MetaDeveloper(TM) Tools and will also be supported by Green Hills tools when they become available to our customers early in Q3, 2004, providing our customers with maximum software and tool support."

"ARC cores are extremely popular in the fast growing markets of network communications, digital media products and consumer electronics, and we want to support that important customer base with ThreadX," said William E. Lamie, Express Logic's president. "We extend our penetration of that market by offering ThreadX users another development platform. Thanks to our already good-standing relationship with ARC, the ARC 600 and ARC 700 platforms offered a natural choice."

ARC 600 and ARC 700

The ARC(TM) 600 CPU/DSP is a configurable, extendible and easy to use RISC processor core that enables customers to implement a low power, low cost solution while meeting their performance requirements. At the heart of the ARC 600 is a 32-bit five-stage RISC architecture. By combining RISC and DSP functions within a single core, the ARC 600 can replace a dual processor system and dramatically reduce area and power.

The ARC(TM) 700 CPU/DSP is a 7 stage 32-bit scalar RISC architecture that is ideally suited for high data rate applications. While capable of high clock rates, the ARC 700 has been carefully crafted to not make large tradeoffs in area for performance. As a result, the ARC 700 is one of the smallest processors in its performance class.

Availability

ThreadX for the ARC 600 processor core is available today, at prices starting at $12,500 for a single product, royalty-free license. Contact Express Logic for more information at 1-888-THREADX. For information about the ARC 600 or ARC 700, go to www.arc.com or contact ARC at +1.408.437.3400.

About Express Logic and ThreadX

Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Express Logic offers the most advanced run-time solution for deeply embedded applications, including the popular ThreadX RTOS, the high-performance TCP/IP stack NetX(TM), and the embedded MS-DOS file system FileX(TM). All products from Express Logic include full source-code and have no run-time royalties. For more information about Express Logic solutions, please browse to http://www.expresslogic.com, call 1-888-THREADX, or email inquires to [e-mail].

ThreadX is a registered trademark of Express Logic, Inc. NetX, FileX, preemption-threshold, picokernel, UDP fast path technology, are trademarks of Express Logic, Inc. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

About ARC

ARC International is a world leader in low-power, high-performance 32-bit RISC/DSP configurable processor cores, real-time operating systems and development tools for embedded system design. ARC's configurable, extendible cores assist customers in their rapid development of next generation wireless, networking and consumer electronics systems, resulting in exceptionally competitive System-on-Chip products.

ARC International maintains a worldwide presence with corporate offices in Elstree, UK and San Jose, California, USA. 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).

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed in the 'Investment Considerations' section of the Company's web site as well as the 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 obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent, ARCangel, ARChitect, ARCform and MetaWare are trademarks of ARC International. ThreadX is a registered trademark of Express Logic, Inc. NetX, FileX, preemption-threshold, picokernel and UDP fast path technology are trademarks of Express Logic, Inc. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.