Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Licenses ARM7TDMI Core For Media Processors In Consumer Electronics Product

CAMBRIDGE UK – Dec. 17, 2003 – ARM  [LSE: ARM; Nasdaq: ARMHY], the industry’s leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, today announced that Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Ltd. has licensed ARM7TDMI® microprocessor core through the ARM® Foundry Program.  Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics will use ARM core technology to develop a power-efficient, low-cost media processor for audio and imaging solutions in the consumer electronics market that will be manufactured by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

“The ability to combine the technical benefits of reduced die size and power consumption of the ARM7TDMI core, with SMIC’s manufacturing capabilities which enable decreased time-to-market, will have a significant impact in helping us achieve our business goals,” said Lei Shi, chief executive officer of Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Co. “We considered a number of options for our media processors, however ARM industry-proven technology was able to address all of our needs.”  

“The licensing of the ARM7TDMI core to Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics demonstrates the value that ARM brings to fabless and foundry organizations in China through its flexible and competitive Foundry Program,” said Jun Tan, president, ARM China . “By licensing ARM intellectual property (IP), Chinese organizations can quickly and efficiently take advantage of the rapidly growing consumers electronics market, which is significantly impacting the dynamics of the semiconductor industry.”

“Access to ARM IP through innovative business programs such the ARM Foundry Program, helps Integrated Circuit (IC) design house in China achieve and maintain a leading position in the regional semiconductor market place,” said Dr James Sung, vice president of Marketing and Sales of SMIC.  “Our cooperation with ARM provides Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics with a competitive advantage in its effort to deliver proven, world-quality silicon solutions.”

Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics will begin shipping ARM core-based products in Q3 2004.

About ARM
ARM is the industry’s leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM’s microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming a volume RISC standard in markets such as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions.

ENDS

ARM and ARM7TDMI are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.  “ARM” is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V.