Arcores partners with Aptix for rapid SOC prototyping and verification

SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 12, 2001 - ARC International plc (LSE:ARK) trading through its subsidiaries as ARC Cores, announced today that it has partnered with Aptix Corporation to provide a powerful prototyping and verification environment for ARC-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs. The ARC Tangent 32-bit user-configurable microprocessor core now works with the Aptix System Explorer, a versatile FPGA-based prototyping system. With the System Explorer, developers can prototype an entire SoC - including the processor, peripherals, memory, and custom logic - at near real-time speeds.

 The new solution also allows the SeeCode debugger from MetaWare Inc. to work with the System Explorer as a tightly integrated toolset. Design teams can build high-performance hardware virtual prototypes of their ARC-based SoC designs and test software early in the design cycle. The Aptix System Explorer is a more powerful and versatile prototyping system than other products that already perform similar functions for the ARC Tangent processor.

ARC Cores is the developer of the world's first user-configurable 32-bit microprocessor. Aptix is a leading supplier of rapid prototyping systems for SoCs. The new partnership brings together the best SoC technology from both companies.

 "ARC is constantly looking at how we can enable our customers to get their products to market faster," said Jim Turley, senior vice president of technology at ARC Cores. "Aptix's strength in SoC prototyping and their System Explorer product will enable our customers to test their complete design, including the software, prior to first silicon. This will greatly reduce the risk of having to perform multiple ASIC spins."

 "ARC has rapidly emerged as a leader in providing intellectual property (IP) for SoC applications," said Charlie Miller, vice president of worldwide sales at Aptix. "We believe our rapid prototyping approach is especially suitable for configurable processors, which are often tightly integrated with custom logic. System Explorer is the only tool that enables at-speed integration and testing of embedded software, providing a significant advantage over HDL simulators or ASIC emulation systems."

 Debugging an SoC with the System Explorer is fast and easy. The host PC connects to the prototyping system over a standard IEEE-1284 bidirectional parallel port, so no custom ICE tools are required. MetaWare's SeeCode debugger interfaces directly to a high-performance emulation model of the ARC processor. A software engineer can use SeeCode to debug and verify embedded software using simulated logic, emulated logic, or real silicon components, eliminating the need to learn multiple interfaces when using a new tool.

 Developers can create a complete prototype of their ARC-based SoC design on Aptix's System Explorer reconfigurable prototyping platform. The Aptix open architecture enables the ARC user-configurable processor to work with other emulated blocks and standard hardware modules, such as RAM, ROM, and I/O devices. Developers can add custom hardware by using the Aptix hardware prototyping modules. Software engineers can debug, integrate, and test software components at near real-time speeds under conditions similar to the target application environment.

 About Aptix Corporation
Aptix Corporation's products are used for IP integration, software integration, and pre-silicon validation of system and system-on-chip (SoC) designs. The Aptix open architecture enables heterogeneous modeling techniques at near real-time speeds and supports real-world stimulus and I/O. RTL, FPGA macros, hardware components, and hardware modules can be combined to create a hardware virtual prototype. Support for standard hardware debug tools provides high visibility emulation and co-simulation. A flexible transaction interface enables use of C test benches and traffic generators. Support for standard software tools enables integration and testing of device drivers and software components, early in the design cycle.

 The company is privately held and is headquartered at 2880 North First Street, San Jose, Calif. 95134. Telephone (408) 428-6200, Fax (408) 944-0646. Visit Aptix on the Web at: http://www.aptix.com

 About ARC International
ARC International plc, is a leading designer and developer of customizable, high-performance microprocessor cores and related intellectual property technology for telecommunications, voice and data networking, and consumer electronics embedded systems. ARC's Tangent processor is an application specific processor (ASP) which can be customized for use in a wide variety of increasingly sophisticated products. ARC's technology enables designers to reduce time to market and to work with the semiconductor manufacturers and technologies of their choice.

 With headquarters in Elstree, England, ARC International plc and its group companies employ 280 people in research and development, sales, and marketing offices across North America and Europe. MetaWare Incorporated, Precise Software Technologies Inc. and VAutomation Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of ARC International, providing software development tools, hardware and software intellectual property and real time operating systems offering multiple integrated products for system on a chip development.

 ARC International plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ARK). The company's website is located at www.arccores.com

 Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, market acceptance of the ARC technology; fluctuations in and unpredictability of the Company's quarterly results; general economic and business conditions; regulatory policies adopted by governmental authorities; assumptions regarding the Company's future business strategy; changes in technology; competition; ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; risks associated with the Company's international operations; and other uncertainties that are discussed in the "Investment Considerations" section of the Company's listing particulars dated 28 September 2000 filed with the United Kingdom Listing Authority and the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales.

 ARC International (UK) Ltd. and ARC Cores, Inc., both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of ARC International plc, trade under the name of ARC Cores. ARC Cores is a trademark of ARC International (UK) Ltd. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.