STMicroelectronics and ARM Announce RealView Developer Kit for 32-Bit Microcontrollers


GENEVA, Switzerland and CAMBRIDGE, U.K., April 13, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Key message points for journalists and analysts:

- 32-bit MCUs enable a broad range of peripherals and a powerful processor core at a very low price. Future applications will demand this level of processing power.

- Sales of microcomponents will increase 14.7 percent in 2004 over 2003, totalling $51.5 billion, with $21.8 billion in embedded applications. (Gartner, 2004) As designs shift to 32-bit, this presents a sizeable opportunity for growth.

- ARM is committed to offering the industry's best support for MCU designers as evidenced by its creation of developer kits that specifically address the unique characteristics of products from its various Partners.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), and ARM ((LSE:ARM) (Nasdaq:ARMHY)), the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, today announced the availability of the ARM(R) RealView(R) Developer Kit for STMicroelectronics as a complete, cost-effective development and debug product for design engineers using STMicroelectronics' general purpose 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) products. The kit is based on components of the ARM RealView Developer SuiteTM product with functionality tailored to the specific requirements of STMicroelectronics' products.

The RealView Developer Kit for STMicroelectronics provides a complete environment for the development and debug of ST ARM core-based MCU target applications, and is comprised of a targeted compiler, a targeted GUI debugger and the ST specific RealView ICE Micro Edition JTAG run control device. While the RealView Developer Kit is constrained to work with STMicroelectronics product only, it provides the same industry-leading compiler optimizations and debug facilities as the RealView Developer Suite product, to enable developers to reduce system memory cost, through smaller code size and increased system performance, without a dramatic increase in power consumption.

The RealView Developer Kit for STMicroelectronics will initially enable design engineers to work with the recently announced STR71XF and STR72x products, based on an ARM7TM microprocessor family-based core, with full support for future generations of additional ARM microprocessor-based MCUs from STMicroelectronics.

"Today we are pioneering a new category of MCUs with our 32-bit products," said Semir Haddad, product line manager, STMicroelectronics Microcontroller Division. "Robust design tools such as the RealView Developer Kit for STMicroelectronics will ease the shift from 8-bit and 16-bit solutions and are integral to the success of our new products."

"Our combined effort has resulted in an out-of-the box solution that offers a cost effective, fully integrated, developer kit specifically targeting the ST ARM core-based microcontrollers," said Andrew Frame, product manager, RealView Solutions, ARM. "Simplifying this development process is a great advantage to designers seeking to utilize the power of STMicroelectronics 32-bit MCUs in their product, while reducing their overall time-to-market."

The RealView Developer Kit for STMicroelectronics is available through STMicroelectronics normal distribution channels, to provide convenient sourcing of both silicon and development tools from the same vendor.

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

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2003, the Company's net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

ENDS

ARM and RealView are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM7 and RealView Developer Suite 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.



            

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