MIPS Technologies' 24K Core Family Supported by Microsoft Windows CE Operating System

MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIPS) announced today that the Microsoft Windows CE operating system supports the highest-performance 32-bit synthesizable processor core family in the embedded market. The new 550-MHz MIPS32® 24K™ family of cores, which is being licensed by industry leaders at a rate higher than that of any in MIPS Technologies history, passed Microsoft's certification testing on Windows CE in June.

The combination of Windows CE and MIPS Technologies' 24K core family gives designers powerful tool and software support for rapidly creating the next generation of smart, connected and small-footprint devices, including multimedia consumer electronics, set-top boxes (STB), gateways, and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phones.

"The near decade-long relationship between Microsoft and MIPS Technologies and its licensees offers device manufacturers a high-performance solution for the rapid development and deployment of sophisticated, feature-rich devices that consumers demand," said Todd Brix, group product manager of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "MIPS architecture optimized for Windows CE will speed development time for device-makers building products such as networked consumer electronics, set-top boxes, digital TVs, wireless projectors, voice over IP phones, and network and storage gateways."

"Our collaboration with Microsoft ensures that Windows CE meets the expectations of OEMs who want to take advantage of the industry's highest-performance 32-bit cores. By using a 24K core, they have the headroom to create innovative and highly competitive products, using industry-standard tools and software such as Windows CE to get to market with speed, ease and efficiency," said Russ Bell, vice president of marketing at MIPS Technologies.

The 24K core family offers 1.44 Dhrystone MIPS/MHz performance in a core area of less than 3.0 mm2, along with a wide range of configurable features, enabling engineers to keep costs down while adding more features and functionality to next-generation SOCs. High-performance, programmable processors give a design more headroom so that future upgrades can be implemented in software. For example, set-top boxes are required to perform more functions simultaneously, support ever-changing standards, and offer security features. The 24K core family has the performance headroom to offer field-upgradeability and accommodate new standards, and was designed to power through demanding applications with features such as an ultrafast multiply, floating point support and customizable CorExtend™ instructions.

Windows CE, Microsoft's most advanced real-time operating system, complements the 24K cores' powerful features with faster performance and real-time processing, improved security enhancements, richer multimedia and Web browsing capabilities, and greater application compatibility across Windows CE-based devices.

About the MIPS32 24K Core Family
The 24K core family, which includes the 24Kc™ 24Kc Pro, 24Kf™ and 24Kf Pro versions, offers performance from 400 to 550 MHz (worst case) in a 0.13 micron process, the highest frequency available in 32-bit synthesizable cores for embedded markets, while minimizing design time and reducing product costs. Tailored SOC design methodologies, an Open Core Protocol (OCP) interconnect structure, standard libraries and on-chip memories from industry-leading companies, and broad tool and software support minimize development time, risk and cost, an important advantage for a processor core suited to embedded consumer applications such as digital and interactive TVs, set-top boxes and DVD players.

Availability
For information about MIPS Technologies products, call +1 650 567 5000 or visit the company's website at www.mips.com.

About MIPS Technologies
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is based in Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at +1 (650) 567-5000 or www.mips.com.