[12]Corporate / [13]Product Release
   
   Atmel Announces Linux Port for the AT91RM9200 ARM9 Core-based
   Microcontroller
   
   Open-source Linux Operating System provides Fully-supported
   Development Path for AT91RM9200 and ARM9 core-based ASIC Applications
   
   San Jose, CA USA - September 22, 2003 . . . Atmel® Corporation
   (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the launch of a Linux® operating system
   port for its AT91RM9200 microcontroller and its ARM®9 core-based
   ASICs. It enables application developers to take full advantage of the
   resources and support from the growing worldwide Linux community. The
   AT91RM9200 development kit (AT91RM9200-DK) with Linux support is
   available now with a ready-to-use Linux development environment.
   
   The AT91RM9200 Linux portconsists of the industry-standard Linux
   V2.4.19 kernel, the ARM9 Linux adaptation maintained by the ARM Linux
   support team, and a set of AT91RM9200 Linux code modules that comprise
   the peripheral drivers and a kernel patch for the AT91RM9200-specific
   features (advanced interrupt controller and system timer). It includes
   a minimal RAM disk that contains the most frequently used commands.
   These elements are available as both source code (C and Assembler) and
   as compiled binary objects. They may be obtained from the Atmel web
   site -[14](www.atmel.com), or downloaded from the SourceForge web site
   [15](www.sourceforge.net).
   
   The standard AT91RM9200-DK is supplied with all the software tools a
   developer needs on CD-ROM. In addition to the AT91RM9200 Linux port,
   this CD-ROM has the open-source GNU toolchain (in source and compiled
   versions) including a C compiler, GLIBC library and utilities, as well
   as the U-Boot loader utility. A comprehensive include file defines all
   the register names, fields and offsets in the AT91RM9200 architecture.
   It forms the basis of the AT91RM9200 Linux port and is also intended
   for use in any applications running on the AT91RM9200. This inclusive
   set of tools and utilities, running on the AT91RM9200 development kit,
   simplifies and shortens the development of applications.
   
   The AT91RM9200 can serve as an architecture platform in Atmel's
   SiliconCITY strategy for development of derived ASICs or ASSPs in a
   minimum timeframe and risk. The full access to the source code of the
   Linux port enables customers to rapidly adapt it to the derived ASIC
   or ASSP. This considerably reduces the software development effort
   that is required in parallel to the hardware architectural development
   of an ARM9-based System-on-Chip.
   
   Jacko Wilbrink, Atmel's ARM-based Product Manager commented, "The
   AT91RM9200 Linux port brings the resources of the worldwide Linux
   community to bear on our industry-leading ARM9 core-based standard
   product. Together with the ready-to-use AT91RM9200 Development Kit, it
   provides a well supported path to rapid application development. It
   also represents another milestone in our progress towards the modular
   re-use of hardware and software IP in standard products and ASICs that
   support our SiliconCITY platform initiatives."
   
   About SiliconCITY
   
   SiliconCITY is the creative foundation for Atmel's ASIC/ASSP product
   strategy. It is built on re-useable and validated IP and architectures
   from Atmel's broad line of standard products and ASSPs within its
   System-on-Chip portfolio. Atmel has SiliconCITY platforms available
   now to give customers a significant time-to-market advantage. In
   addition, the common design infrastructure allows customers to
   seamlessly migrate from standard products to custom ASICs with
   confidence in first pass success.SiliconCITY from AtmelYour System
   Foundation.
   
   About Atmel
   
   Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose,
   California with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe.
   Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic,
   mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also
   a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions
   using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process
   technologies.
   
   © Atmel Corporation 2003. All rights reserved. Atmel and the Atmel
   logo are registered trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its
   subsidiaries. SiliconCITY is a trademark of Atmel Corporation. Linux
   is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. ARM is a registered
   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; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Other
   terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of
   others.
   
   Information
   
   Atmel's AT91RM9200 product information is available at:
   [16]http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?PN=at91rm9200
   or by e-mail from: [17]at91support@atmel.com 
   
   Press Contact Atmel
   
   Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, ASIC/ASSPs - Atmel Rousset
   Phone: +33 (0) 4 42 53 61 50, e-mail: [18]pbishop@atmel.com
   
   Clive Over, Director of Marketing Communications,
   phone: +1 408 451 2855, Email: [19]cliveover@atmel.com
   
   Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe,
   Phone: +33 1 30 60 70 68, Email: [20]veronique.sablereau@atmel.com