Kawasaki Microelectronics Strengthens ARM Relationship With ARM9 Technology

Leading Provider of ASICs to develop next-generation ARM Powered(R) products for imaging and networking applications

Kawasaki Microelectronics, Inc. (KME), a leader in advanced, affordable ASICs, and ARM, today announced KME has licensed two ARM9(TM) family microprocessors and the ETM9(TM) embedded trace macrocell. This new licensing agreement will significantly expand KME's portfolio of ARM(R) technology-based solutions.

KME will use the ARM946E(TM) processor, the ARM922T(TM) processor and the ETM9 macrocell to develop system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for a range of imaging and networking products-such as still/movie image processing, printers and VoIP-as well as the company's industry-leading microcontrollers. By upgrading from the ARM7TDMI(R) processor, which it licensed in 2001, KME will leverage its investment in the ARM architecture while satisfying its customers' needs for increased performance at low unit cost.

"Through our relationship with ARM, we have built a solid business foundation in the digital consumer market," said Kyoichi Kissei, executive VP, Sales, Marketing & Logistics, Kawasaki Microelectronics, Inc. "By licensing the ARM9 family and taking full advantage of design resources from the past, we will be able to address high-end products within a shorter time-to-market, for our customers. Moving forward, we will seek opportunities in markets which demand large scale, high speed processing, such as network products."

"KME has anticipated its networking and imaging customers' needs for a high-performance, cost-effective and flexible microprocessor solution and has made an investment in the ARM9 processor family," said Bruce Beckloff, director of segment marketing, ARM. "We will continue to support Kawasaki Microelectronics as an industry leader in ASIC solutions."

Kawasaki Microelectronics expects that semiconductors containing ARM9 family cores will be available in the second quarter of 2005.

Source: ARM Ltd.