Product Launch

Product Launch LONDON-(BUSINESS WIRE)-June 10, 2002- ARC International plc ARC International plc announces USB Now(TM), the world's first integrated and optimised USB for SoC IP platforms ARC International plc, a leader in semiconductor and software technology licensing, today announces the introduction of USB Now(TM), the world's first integrated and optimised USB for System-On-Chip (SoC) intellectual property (IP) platforms. USB Now provides a fully integrated platform consisting of the ARCtangent(TM)-A5 synthesizable microprocessor, USB 2.0 host/device core with OTG technology, and embedded software stack. This solution provides the embedded systems developer with pre-integrated building blocks for their system and significant competitive benefits such as accelerated time to market and reduced product development costs. USB Now includes USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality for Hi-Speed USB 2.0 communications between mobile and consumer electronics devices. The USB 2.0 specification supersedes USB 1.1 - a connectivity standard that is currently employed in everyday consumer products such as personal computers, scanners, printers, digital cameras and industrial equipment. OTG technology is a supplement to the USB 2.0 specification that allows direct connection and transfer of information between USB-enabled products without requiring a PC. This opens up all kinds of new opportunities for consumer devices. For instance, digital photographs can be downloaded from a USB OTG enabled digital camera directly to a USB OTG printer, eliminating the need for a PC. USB 2.0 allows much faster transfer times compared to the previous USB 1.1 standard, and opens the possibility of transferring music directly between music players with no PC required. Mike Gulett, president and chief executive of ARC International plc, commented: 'USB Now is another important step forward for ARC and we expect it to be very positively received. It addresses the complex end-to-end challenges of embedded host and device Hi-Speed USB 2.0. It allows developers to analyse a system architecture and then fine-tune a synthesizable, flexible Hi-Speed USB 2.0 host/device core quicker and better than any alternative.' In addition to reducing design risks, the USB Now platform configures many items in firmware that competing solutions cast in hardware. This flexibility enables a single silicon implementation to track with evolving market demands, or to service multiple USB applications without change to the silicon. These unique, pre-integrated and field tested features reduce the costs and risks associated with design re-spins, and result in reduced silicon area and smaller code footprint. USB Now will be available beginning in August 2002. For more information, see contact details below. About ARC International plc ARC International (LSE:ARK.L) is a leading developer of embedded user-customizable, high-performance 32-bit RISC/DSP processor cores, with integrated development tools, peripherals, RTOS and software. These integrated products and solutions are a result of the acquisitions of MetaWare, VAutomation and Precise Software Technologies. ARC's integrated intellectual property solutions assist customers in rapidly developing next generation wireless, networking and consumer electronics products, reducing time to market, reducing their cost, reducing the number of IP suppliers and reducing their risk for system-on-chip products. Products based on ARC's technology include digital still cameras, set-top boxes, and network processors. ARC International employs more than 200 people in research and development, sales, and marketing offices across North America, Europe and Israel. Full details of the company's locations and other information are on the company's web site, www.ARC.com. ARC International is listed on the London Stock Exchange as ARC International plc 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date such statement was first made. ARC, the ARC logo, ARCtangent, ARCompact, and USB Now are trademarks of ARC International. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. Short Name: Arc Intl PLC Category Code: PRL Sequence Number: 00000260 Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20020607T172619+0100
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