Microchip Technology Unites MIPS Technologies’ Analog and Processor IP in Latest 32-bit PIC32 MCU Release

Chipidea® USB 2.0 IP Speeds Time-to-integration for MCU Leader

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - February 2008 - MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NasdaqGS: MIPS), a leading provider of industry-standard architectures, processors and analog IP for digital consumer, home networking, wireless, communications and business applications, today announced that its IP cores for Full Speed USB 2.0 On-the-Go (OTG) functionality were chosen by Microchip Technology Inc. to provide USB functionality in its 32-bit PIC32 microcontroller (MCU) family. The new functionality, announced separately by Microchip today, helps embedded designers easily and cost-effectively build advanced USB connectivity into their devices. Powered by the MIPS32® M4K® processor core, the PIC32 MCU family now leverages IP from both the Analog and Processor Business Groups of MIPS Technologies.

“Driven by the increasing popularity of easy-to-use and upgradeable portable devices, embedded designers are increasingly leveraging USB OTG capabilities in their designs,” said Patrick Johnson, director of Microchip’s High Performance Microcontroller Division. “MIPS’ Analog Business Group - Chipidea recognized this need early on, and its IP met our specific need to quickly integrate a complete, proven IP solution with a rich feature set for USB OTG.”

“With proven USB solutions available at 40nm, our recently announced HDMI solution, and DisplayPort IP under development, MIPS Technologies is emerging as the broadest supplier of connectivity and multimedia interface IP for consumer devices,” said Luis Laranjeira, director, embedded peripherals and digital IP, Analog Business Group, MIPS Technologies. “Microchip’s PIC32 family is a great example of a device benefiting from MIPS Technologies’ extensive design IP offering, from industry-standard processor cores supported by a full suite of development and debug tools, to our market-leading peripheral IP.”

The Chipidea Full Speed USB 2.0 OTG Controller is a highly optimized, low gate count IP core that allows system developers to implement compact, cost-effective, low-power USB-based SoC solutions. The core is architected for maximum flexibility, high performance and low cost. The device controller operates at full speed and low speed data rates, and the architecture is a blend of firmware and hardware that allows embedded host controller implementations to be optimized for specific applications. The protocol-aware DMA engine offloads the system processor by independently controlling data transfers directly in hardware. Chipidea USB 2.0 solutions are available in any technology, offering customers the broadest and most versatile portfolio for their specific needs. The Analog Business Group - Chipidea also has a fully dedicated team to support integration during every step of the design process.

Analog Business Group - Chipidea

Chipidea is the world leader in analog/mixed-signal intellectual property targeting fast-growing market segments, including wireless communications, digital media, consumer electronics, power management, data conversion and connectivity. Chipidea was acquired by MIPS Technologies in August 2007, and today serves as the company’s Analog Business Group. Chipidea offers the broadest array of state-of-the-art RF, analog and mixed-signal technologies worldwide with a library of proven IP in today’s leading processes across a wide array of foundries. The company’s advanced and extensive analog and mixed-signal IP portfolio enables next-generation SoC designers to integrate silicon-proven functionality previously available only to large integrated device manufacturers. Founded in 1997, Chipidea licenses its technology to leading semiconductor companies across all major markets, offering high-precision, single-function blocks to complete analog sub-systems. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Chipidea can be reached at (+351) 210336300. For more information, visit www.chipidea.com .

Processor Business Group

MIPS Technologies provides the number one processor architecture across a wide array of high-growth markets, including digital television, broadband access, WiFi, cable set-top boxes, DVD recorders, HD DVDs, and VoIP. The company offers the most comprehensive line of processor cores available for the embedded market-ranging from high-performance to low power products with unique efficiencies and cost advantages for next-generation SoC designs. MIPS Technologies licenses its intellectual property to leading semiconductor companies, ASIC developers and system OEMs. As an industry-standard architecture for more than two decades, MIPS Technologies provides the most extensive range of scalable microprocessors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products worldwide. The MIPS® Ecosystem provides a robust infrastructure of world-class standard tools, software suites and services to help ensure rapid, reliable, high-quality and cost-effective SoC development.
MIPS, MIPS32 and M4K are trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and other countries of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Chipidea is a trademark or registered trademark in the United States and other countries of Chipidea-Microelectronica, S.A., Inc. PIC is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries of Microchip Technology Inc. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners