Altium introduces new TASKING VX-toolset for ARM

Powerful Viper compiler technology delivers code benefits to ARM embedded developers

SYDNEY, Australia - January 23, 2006 - Altium Limited (ASX: ALU), leading developer of Windows-based electronics design software, today announced the release of a new TASKING VX-toolset for ARM which provides support for a wide range of ARM® processors, such as ARM7 (TM), ARM9 (TM) and ARM9E (TM) based cores and standard microcontrollers.

The TASKING VX-toolset for ARM delivers unique and powerful benefits to both ARM developers and Altium customers in that it is enhanced with Altium's sophisticated, next-generation Viper C compiler technology, enabling them to take full advantage of the highly-popular ARM architecture. With its Viper compiler technology, the TASKING VX-toolset for ARM excels in the performance of highly optimized code with the smallest footprint and fastest execution possible.

The Viper framework also enables Altium's engineers to develop sophisticated and mature compilers in shorter timeframes. Developers benefit by gaining access to a technically advanced compiler that includes comprehensive and highly-optimized support for all features of the ARM architecture. Viper-based compilers enable developers to deliver high-quality applications to market faster.

Initial benchmarking of the TASKING VX-toolset for ARM indicates that the Viper-based ARM compiler provides extremely competitive performance to leading stand-alone professional compiler solutions at an affordable price. This gives customers easy access to the highest quality ARM code generation capabilities as part of their embedded development environment.

"The TASKING VX-toolset for ARM represents an important addition to Altium's extensive & proven range of embedded development products" says Harm-Andre Verhoef, Product Manager, Altium. "Furthermore, the toolset's competitiveness, ease of use, affordability and compliance with industry standards allows developers to take full advantage of the ARM architecture, with a level of execution speed and code density needed for today's and tomorrow's automotive, industrial and telematics applications. With the release of this toolset, Altium continues to demonstrate its industry leadership in providing easy access to powerful Viper-based compilers for embedded developers."

The TASKING VX-toolset for ARM also features up-to-date functionalities such as MISRA C code checking, profiling through code instrumentation and run-time error checking capabilities enabling programmers to develop extremely robust code.

Key highlights of Altium's TASKING VX-toolset for ARM include:

• ISO C++ compiler*, scalable to EC++
• C compiler, ISO C'99 compliant, with integrated 'MISRA C' enhanced code checking
• Support for various specific ARM architecture features in compiler, such as ARM mode, Thumb® mode and mixed mode code generation
• Assembler with macro-preprocessor
• C and C++* libraries, run-time libraries, floating-point libraries
• Linker/locator, which includes support to enable efficient ARM-Thumb interworking
• CrossView Pro (TM) debugger with two execution environments
• Simulator
• OCDS debugging over JTAG*

*Available in the course of 2006.

The C compiler and debugger are also included in Altium Designer, which is available for separate purchase. Altium Designer is the industry's first single, unified application that incorporates all the technologies and capabilities necessary for complete electronic product development. Altium Designer integrates board- and FPGA-level system design, embedded software development for FPGA-based and discrete processors, and PCB layout, editing and manufacturing within a single design environment.

Pricing and availability

The TASKING VX-toolset for ARM release v1.1r1 is a complete, integrated embedded software development toolset consisting of the TASKING EDE, C compiler, assembler, linker/locator and CrossView Pro simulator debugger and is available immediately. The C++/EC++ compiler and CrossView Pro OCDS debugger will be available in the course of 2006.

The product is available for PC/Windows and SUN/Solaris platforms. Prices start at EUR 1,995 for the C compiler and simulator debugger package for PC/Windows.

For further product information or to download a trial version of the TASKING VX-toolset for ARM, visit http://www.altium.com/tasking/ARM .

About TASKING

TASKING, Altium's industry-leading range of tools for embedded software development, offers an integrated software development environment that enables developers to take advantage of all the capabilities needed for application development from project management, editing, and program building to compiling, optimizing, and debugging. Its software development toolsets consist of the award winning TASKING Embedded Development Environment (EDE), highly optimizing C and C++/EC++ compilers, assembler, linker/locator, and the CrossView Pro debugger.

About Altium Limited

Altium Limited (ASX: ALU) is a global developer and supplier of electronics design software for the Microsoft Windows environment. Founded in 1985, Altium released the world's first Microsoft Windows-based printed circuit board design tool in 1991, and continues to provide advanced, easy-to-use and affordable software design tools for complete electronic product development to electronics engineers, designers, and developers worldwide. Altium is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with sales and support offices in Australia, the United States, Japan, China and Europe - and maintains a large reseller network in all other major markets. For more information please visit www.altium.com

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com.