NEC Labs Picks Tensilica's Xtensa configurable processor again

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, July 14, 2003

Tensilica, Inc., a provider of configurable and extensible processors, has announced that NEC Laboratories America, Inc. (NEC Labs) of Princeton, NJ, has signed a multi-year renewal of their license for the Xtensa configurable processor for system-on-chip (SOC) designs developed at NEC Labs.

"When we signed our initial licensing agreement with Tensilica two years ago, we were very impressed with the Xtensa technology," stated Kojiro Watanabe, executive vice president of NEC Labs. "Tensilica's tools for automating the generation of processor hardware and software development environments are the best in the industry and provide the fastest way to develop our leading-edge technologies. Therefore, we have decided to renew our license and continue our development efforts to utilize the Xtensa processor in SOC designs for product development at NEC Labs."

"NEC Labs is part of the creative 'think tank' for NEC development of advanced products," said Bernie Rosenthal, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Tensilica. "We're very pleased that they have chosen to continue to work on SOC architectures and multiple processor design methodologies for leading-edge products for the future using the Xtensa processor."

NEC Laboratories America, Inc. (NEC Labs America), located in Princeton, NJ, and Cupertino, CA, was established in 2002 through the merger of NEC's leading research operations in the United States. The mission of NEC Labs America, recognized as one of the most preeminent and innovative research institutions of its kind, is to impact both the research community and high technology industry by focusing on the following core areas: Internet software, robust and secure systems, broadband networking and mobile communications, system LSI, bioinformatics and quantum IT. NEC Labs America's research activities strive to contribute to NEC's global leadership in providing innovative technology solutions to enterprises, service providers, and end-users worldwide.

Tensilica was founded in July 1997 to address the growing need for optimized, application-specific microprocessor solutions in high-volume embedded applications. With a configurable and extensible microprocessor core called Xtensa, Tensilica is the only company that has automated and patented the time-consuming process of generating a customized microprocessor core along with a complete software development tool environment, producing new configurations in a matter of hours.