Microware Systems Corporation Announces DAVID 2.2 for the Micro SPARC Processor.

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1999--

Microware's Industry-Leading Operating System for Digital Television and Multimedia Devices Provides Manufacturers Total Real-Time Solutions

Microware Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MWAR), today announced the release and availability of DAVID 2.2 (Digital Audio/Video interactive Decoder) system software for Micro SPARC processors. Built upon the secure process model of Microware's OS-9 real-time operating system (RTOS), DAVID enables Internet access and compliance with multiple digital television standards for set-top-box and multimedia devices.

"Digital television technology has advanced and the market has matured to the point that volume delivery of digital television products is happening now," said Ken Kaplan, chief executive officer for Microware. "In this maturing market, manufacturers are looking for complete solutions that provide faster time to market. DAVID's successful track record of deployment solidifies it as a proven solution for advanced digital devices."

The DAVID 2.2. for SPARC package was developed and ported to hardware from C-Cube Microsystems, which includes a Micro SPARC RISC processor plus AviA MPEG demultiplexing, decoding and graphics hardware. Previously, DAVID has been available for PowerPC and 68000 processors. The addition of Micro SPARC will extend DAVID's use in additional set-top-boxes and multimedia devices. The set-top-box market is projected to grow from 1.4 million units last year to more than 11.5 million in the year 2000.

"Consumers are looking for high-tech electronics that are easy to use, technology-rich, and interactive," added Kaplan. "The interest and broad industry acceptance of DAVID for multimedia and set-top devices is due to the fact that it clearly provides superior technology to deliver what consumers want and what developers need for successful digital media products."

DAVID 2.2 allows customers to dynamically upgrade software components on the fly. The secure process model offers fault tolerance because the operating system is isolated from application programs. Developers rely on this model to create highly dependable consumer operated devices. More than 20 leading manufacturers have licensed DAVID for implementation in DTV set-top decoders and digital entertainment terminals.

DAVID 2.2 for Micro SPARC includes:

-- OS-9 for Micro Sparc embedded RTOS -- mwMAUI real-time graphics and input software -- mwSoftStax superior real-time communications architecture -- MPFM (Motion Picture File Manager) for MPEG control -- ITEM communications software extension -- DUXMAN for control network data to MPEG hardware and applications

Microware's DAVID 2.2. and C-Cube's Ignition Reference Platform allows manufacturers the ability to quickly develop SPARC-based set-top-box solutions. The Ignition Reference Platform is a complete design environment for set-top developers, and includes a motherboard with modular extension bays, external interfaces, software plus schematics and design documentation. The AViA-iNX graphics transport network processor solution on a single chip is available from C-Cube and includes:

-- Transport stream demultiplexing -- Advanced graphics processing and acceleration -- True 24-bit graphics -- Network enabling controllers -- DVB descrambling -- Smartcard interfaces -- 80-100 MHz CPU 

For more information about C-Cube products mentioned in this release please see:

C-Cube Set-Top Solutions - www.c-cube.com/products/settop.html

AviA-iNX - www.c-cube.com/products/avia_inx.html

AviA@tv Family including Ignition Reference Platform - www.c-cube.com/products/aviaattv.pdf

Note: DAVID will be on display in the Microware Systems Corporation booth No.403 this week at the Embedded Systems Conference in Chicago.

Microware Systems Corporation

Microware (NASDAQ: MWAR) develops, markets, and supports real-time operating system (RTOS) software covering the spectrum from deeply embedded applications to high end consumer devices. Microware's OS-9 RTOS is the total network operating system for intelligent devices. Ariel, Microware's new full-source, royalty-free RTOS provides customers with an affordable OS solution.

For more than 20 years, Microware's modular RTOS has provided the essential building blocks and advanced networking and graphics capabilities for embedded devices. By providing developers with a superior operating system and affordable, effective, and easy-to-use development tools, Microware's proven solutions reduce development time, thus increasing customers time-to-revenue. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Microware was founded in 1977, and has technology and sales offices throughout the United States and in England, France, Germany, and Japan.

Microware OS-9

Thousands of customers and partners around the world are using Microware's OS-9 in embedded designs. OS-9 serves as the fundamental control program that manages critical actions of microprocessors. OS-9 includes an advanced set of system software modules that address the communication and connectivity requirements of embedded applications. OS-9's combination of a proven software base, drop-in microprocessor support, and an effective, easy-to-use, and economical development toolset, provides superior time-to-market advantages for embedded device manufacturers.

Microware, the Microware logo, OS-9 and DAVID are registered trademarks of Microware Systems Corporation. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information on Microware's products, visit www.microware.com; send e-mail to [e-mail]; or call 1-800-475-9000 or 515-223-8000.