Nikkei BP Co-Hosts Embedded Processor Symposium and Multicore Expo 2006; Tokyo Events Will Highlight Latest Technologies in Microprocessors and Embedded Software Development.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. -- Nikkei Business Publications  Inc. and BackDraft Technologies are teaming up to present Embedded Processor Symposium & Multicore Expo 2006 on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2006 in Tokyo.

Nikkei Electronics, a flagship magazine of Nikkei BP, has been producing the annual Embedded Processor Symposium every year since 2002 to address the emerging needs of embedded hardware and software designers. This year, Nikkei BP is expanding the event in partnership with BackDraft Technologies to produce the first Japan edition of Multicore Expo, an annual symposium produced in the United States by BackDraft.

"Designers of embedded systems, ranging from consumer digital devices to high-end networking routers, are requiring microprocessors with increasing levels of sophistication and advanced functionality, such as multicore and multithreading capabilities," said Markus Levy, president of BackDraft and of the industry-standard EEMBC and Multicore Association consortiums. "At the same time, embedded software developers are searching for new methods to maximize the benefits of these enhanced functions. The joint efforts of Nikkei Electronics and BackDraft in producing this conference are aimed at providing attendees with the best and most relevant information available on both these topics."

"With the rising demand for new automotive safety and security applications, as well as applications for consumer electronics and cell phones, Japan is experiencing a severe shortage of embedded hardware and software engineers," said Yosuke Mochizuki, editor-in-chief of Nikkei Electronics. "We're striving to make this joint event a resource that will help promote the growth and development of embedded designers in these fields by presenting them with timely information that is unavailable anywhere else."

Embedded Processor Symposium & Multicore Expo 2006 will be held at Hotel Laforet Tokyo, in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. Consisting of two parts, "Embedded Processor Symposium" for hardware engineers and "Multicore Expo" for software engineers, the event's speakers will include front-line engineers from Japan and many other countries addressing the latest in embedded technologies and techniques. An exhibition area will provide an opportunity for conference sponsors to demonstrate their products. Registration is scheduled to open on Sept. 4, 2006.

Title: Embedded Processor Symposium & Multicore Expo 2006
Dates: Oct. 31 & Nov. 1, 2006
Venue: Hotel Laforet Tokyo (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo)

About Nikkei Business Publications Inc.

Nikkei Business Publications Inc. is one of the largest publishers and content providers in the country delivering the latest information on technologies and management through a variety of media. It was founded in April 1969, as a member of the world's largest comprehensive information house focusing on economy, Nihon Keizai Shimbun Group. Nikkei BP and its group companies run a broad range of businesses, including publication of magazines, books, and mooks, Web sites, exhibitions, researches and consulting, and education and seminars.

About Nikkei Electronics

Nikkei Electronics is a specialized magazine delivering to engineers and designers technological information on electronics, information, communications, and other electronics-related areas. Building upon accumulated research and detailed data, the magazine offers insightful analyses of technologies. It also presents a clear picture of a key technology in relative position, based on a thorough comparison of the technology with competing technologies. The magazine will continue to keep its eye on trends in parts technologies, evaluation of equipment manufacturers, future prospects of element technologies, legal standpoints of intellectual property rights, and standardization of various standards, to offer in-depth articles useful to technological development.

About BackDraft Technologies

BackDraft Technologies is the management company and technical organizer for the Multicore Expo, an international conference and exhibition. Following the Japan version of Multicore Expo, BackDraft will be producing a Germany show on Nov. 14-15, 2006, followed by a U.S. show in Santa Clara, Calif., on March 27-29, 2007. BackDraft president, Markus Levy, is also president of EEMBC (www.eembc.org) and the Multicore Association (www.multicore-association.org). EEMBC, the Embedded Microprocessor Benchmark Consortium, develops and certifies real-world benchmarks and benchmark scores to help designers select the right embedded processors for their systems. The Multicore Association develops industry-standard solutions that speed time to market for products that involve multicore implementations. For more information please visit our Web site at http://www.multicore-expo.com/Japan or call Markus Levy at 530-672-9113 for sponsorship-related inquiries.