Protocom Licenses ARM Core and Announces Advanced Semiconductor Targeting Mobile Video Devices

Single chip MPEG-4 audio/video compression device offers high-quality, low-power consumption for next-generation mobile consumer electronics

CUPERTINO, Calif. and CAMBRIDGE, UK – Nov. 4, 2003 – Protocom Technology, a fabless purveyor of Audio Visual CODECs for mobile consumer electronics markets and ARM, [(LSE:ARM);(Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, today announced their first licensing agreement. Protocom, which specializes in developing MPEG-4-enabled A/V compression devices, has integrated ARM922T™ core technology into its new PR818 single chip MPEG-4 A/V CODEC.

The ARM Powered® PR818 chip will provide developers with a high-quality, low-power consumption MPEG-4 compression solution that offers longer recording times due to a lower bit-rate and high integration requiring less physical space. These features make the ARM® core-based PR818 ideal for portable consumer electronics devices requiring high-quality video, such as hybrid camcorders.

"Protocom selected the ARM embedded architecture because it enables us to provide our customers with extreme levels of device integration for performance in advanced MPEG-4 A/V applications where both real estate and power are scarce," said Isaac van Kempen, vice president of marketing, Protocom. "Protocom also takes advantage of the proven reliability, reduced time-to-market, reduction of risk and complete developer support provided through the ARM Foundry Program. The wide range of application firmware available to our customers is also a real bonus."

The licensing agreement will also enable Protocom to target other high-volume video applications and OS-based products, such as portable video and set-top recordable products with their ARM922T core-based solutions.

"As Protocom grows its customer base, having access to proven market-leading technology like the ARM922T core is critical, as most of Protocom's customers are already familiar with the ARM architecture," said Eric Fujishin, global imaging/networking segment manager at ARM. "We consider this agreement with Protocom a key step in meeting the growing demand for ARM technology-based solutions, in intelligent consumer devices such as DVDs, digital still cameras, communicators and PDAs."

The Protocom PR818 device is now in production and incorporated into products from major electronics manufacturers. New products using the technology are expected to be in consumer hands from the end of this year.

About Protocom
Protocom Technology Corporation was established in 1999 and provides robust MPEG-4 A/V CODEC solutions to top tier players in the hybrid camcorder, cellular phone, PVR, DVD, set-top box and homeland security markets or wherever high performance image processing and A/V compression is critical. Protocom Technology is located in Cupertino, California and is privately held. For more information, visit www.protocomtech.com or call (408) 343-0976.

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-on-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 such markets as portable communications, handheld computing, multimedia, digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

ARM and ARM Powered are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM922T is a trademark of ARM Limited. "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.