ARC International Next-Generation SoC Development

ARC International Next-Generation SoC Development Platform Targets "Six Months or Less" Design Cycle 

    LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002--    

ARC International plc, a leader in semiconductor and software
technology licensing , has unveiled its latest generation of a highly
integrated and unified System-On-Chip (SoC) development product, based
on a RISC/DSP processor and a single-software tool chain.

By integrating application-independent, configurable hardware and
software building blocks with a growing range of application-specific
extensions and peripherals, ARC continues to lead the industry as the
only company offering a complete and unified system development chain
that can be used to develop optimised products for the communications
and consumer markets.

At the heart of ARC's SoC development platform is the newest version
of the ARCtangent-A5 user-customisable 32-bit RISC/DSP microprocessor
core. The platform also includes configurable software-development
tools, a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), network-protocol stacks,
USB and Ethernet peripherals with device drivers.

ARC's next generation SoC platform directly supports the company's
mission to provide customers with a single SoC development platform
where design cycles of six months or less are critical. By
significantly reducing the number of IP suppliers that customers have
to deal with, development costs and overall design risks are
significantly reduced.

Mike Gulett, president and chief executive of ARC International plc,
commented:

"While many companies offer a few IP building blocks via third-party
relationships, our long-term strategy has always focused beyond our
user-customisable RISC/DSP processor to integrate virtually all of the
necessary software, peripherals, tools and platforms to deliver an
optimised, single-source development environment for the SoC
developer. By obtaining all of the required IP from a single, reliable
source, developers save valuable integration time, reducing risk and
cost. When an SoC design is required in six months or less, our
integrated development platform is the one to choose."

Each hardware and software building block has been fully tested and
integrated into a single-software development tool chain.


For more information, contact:

Natalie Godfrey                           Julie Foster
Senior Communications Executive           Consultant
ARC International                         Tulchan Communications Group
Phone: [phone]                Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]            Email: [e-mail]

*T

About ARC International

ARC International is an industry-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 the number of IP
suppliers, reducing time-to-market, reducing costs, and reducing the
risk for System-on-Chip product development. 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 (LSE:ARK).

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, and the ARC logo 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: 00001003
   Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20021021T104840+0100