Improv Systems Announces Licensee of Breakthrough Configurable Processor Technology; Philips Semiconductors to Leverage Jazz PSA for Next-generation SOC Designs

Business Wire, March 6, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BEVERLY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2000

Improv Systems(TM) Inc., a provider of configurable multi-processing platforms for embedded systems development, today announced that Philips Semiconductors has signed an agreement to become a commercial licensee of its Jazz PSA(TM). Philips Semiconductors will use Improv's Jazz PSA to deliver high performance system-on-chip (SoC) solutions in networking, telecommunications and other application areas.

Improv, founded in 1997, has developed a unique approach to developing high performance chips for embedded system applications. Targeting the market for complex chips that have demanding time-to-market requirements, Improv's PSA(TM) (Programmable System Architecture(TM)) approach combines the performance and customization of ASIC design with the time-to-market advantages of a programmable solution -- at significantly lower costs. It supports the most efficient design methodology available for true system-level design, leapfrogging today's hardware/software co-design approaches. The Jazz PSA is supported by a Java-based development system and an advanced compilation system providing system partitioning, memory allocation, code generation and optimization.

"Improv Systems' unique architecture allows for a highly configurable and efficient SoC solution," explained Bob Payne, Vice President of System ASIC Technology at Philips Semiconductors. "Unlike most new hardware architectures introduced, Improv has placed a high priority on the development environment and compiler technology. We feel Improv's technology fits into our vision of developing SoC platforms that get our customers into key markets early." Currently, the two companies are working together on a test chip implementation in Philip Semiconductors' .2um process. The test chip contains five independent Jazz Processors(TM) (Improv's own VLIW processor) and 22KBytes of data memory integrated together using their PSA approach. The test chip will be available for evaluation in early 2000. Philips Semiconductors is also currently developing ASICs and ASSPs using Improv's Jazz PSA.

"The introduction of a new powerful configurable VLIW processing capability into our ASIC portfolio provides our customers with a high-performance, fully programmable alternative to custom logic blocks," noted Payne. Improv's configurable Jazz Processor allows designers to fully configure custom VLIW processors and integrate them into the platform. The Jazz PSA combines multiple Jazz Processors into a single programmable system.

"Configurable platforms for complex IC design represent the future of SoC design and we are delighted to be working with a real leader in this explosive market, " said Diane Flynn, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Improv. "Philips Semiconductors has an outstanding vision for the future of SoC design and the PSA model will enable them to realize it quickly and efficiently."

About Improv Systems, Inc.

Improv Systems(TM), Inc. develops and licenses configurable platform solutions for System-on-Chip. Improv's Jazz PSA(TM), which is a programmable, scaleable, and configurable multi-processor platform, is targeted to consumer electronics and telecommunications markets. Improv's solution extends beyond the hardware; it includes a complete tool suite to facilitate rapid, system level design and state-of-the-art compilation technology to efficiently map applications onto our PSA Platforms(TM). In addition, Improv offers predesigned applications software components to jump start product development efforts. Improv Systems has offices in Beverly, MA, Santa Clara, CA, and Rochester, NY. Improv is headquartered in Beverly, MA (01915) at 100 Cummings Center Suite 343G and can be reached at (978) 927-0555 or at http://www.improvsys.com.