Wind River, Tensilica Create First Real-time Operating System and Integrated Development Environment for a Configurable Processor

Close Collaboration Will Enable a New Generation of Connected Smart Devices

Embedded Systems Conference, CHICAGO, Ill., Feb. 28, 2000 - Wind River Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:WIND) and Tensilica, Inc. today announced the first real-time operating system (RTOS) and integrated development environment (IDE) for a configurable processor. Wind River will offer the Tornado™ IDE and the VxWorks real time operating system (RTOS) for Tensilica’s Xtensa processor architecture.

The combination of Tornado and VxWorks with Tensilica’s Xtensa will enable an entire category of devices, previously built with proprietary controllers or off-the-shelf processors, to now take advantage of the flexibility of configurable processors. The result will be a new generation of connected smart devices.

Tensilica is a Santa Clara-based provider of application-specific processors and development tools for System-on-Chip (SOC) designs. Wind River is a leading provider of software and services for smart devices in the Internet age.

Unlike traditional off-the-shelf microprocessors, the configurable Xtensa processor architecture allows developers to decrease the power and increase the performance required for a particular application through extensibility and configurability of the Instruction Set and microarchitecture . By using the VxWorks RTOS and Tornado development environment in conjunction with the Xtensa architecture, embedded developers can create unique, precisely-tailored embedded platforms that leverage compatible technology from the over 500 Wind River WindLink ™ partners.

“Wind River is committed to identifying and embracing the latest developments in new processor technology,” said Curt Schacker, vice president of marketing and corporate development for Wind River. “Our customers have challenging power, price, and performance requirements, and Tensilica’s configurable Xtensa architecture will increase their ability to balance these demands.”

“The ability to automatically and fully support the VxWorks RTOS and the Tornado integrated development environment on application-optimized configurations of the Xtensa processor is a significant achievement,” commented Bernie Rosenthal, Tensilica’s vice president of marketing and business development. “The vast array of existing solutions available through the Tornado platform will now be accessible to the Xtensa architecture. This innovation will enable embedded systems developers to work within this familiar and proven environment, facilitating code reuse, improved performance and shorter development cycles.”

A key aspect of the port of the Tornado development environment to the Xtensa processor is the Operating System Overlay methodology and technology that makes it possible to efficiently and correctly run the VxWorks RTOS and Tornado development environment. Customers start with a version of Tornado and VxWorks configured for a base version of the Xtensa architecture. As developers make modifications or extensions to the base processor, the Xtensa OSkit™ for Tornado platform and VxWorks RTOS is automatically generated. The OSkit allows the base version of Tornado development platform and VxWorks RTOS to be automatically updated to add host and target awareness for unique customer modifications/extensions.

Based on the OS overlay methodology and technology, the OSkit automatically generates an abstraction layer between the Xtensa processor and the Tornado environment, enabling all possible configurations that meet or exceed the minimum requirements for the VxWorks RTOS to correctly run “out of the box.” Designers can now configure and extend the Xtensa processor and immediately start software development in the Tornado environment with full native support of all added instructions. This will speed the development of leading-edge systems for embedded computer, peripheral, data communications and consumer applications based on the Xtensa processor and VxWorks RTOS.

The Xtensa processor is targeted at high volume applications like datacom and telecom protocol processing, digital cameras, office automation products, wireless communications devices, and a spectrum of other consumer electronic products. Announced licensees of Xtensa include Cisco Systems, Fujitsu Limited, Galileo Technology, NEC Corporation, ONEX Communications, TranSwitch, Fujitsu, and Zilog.

About Tensilica

Tensilica was founded in July 1997 to address the fast-growing market for application-specific microprocessor cores and software development tools in high volume, embedded systems. Using the company's proprietary Xtensa™ Processor Generator, system-on-a-chip (SOC) designers can develop a processor subsystem hardware design and a complete software development tool environment tailored to their specific requirements in hours. Tensilica's solutions provide a proven, easy-to-use, methodology that enables designers to achieve optimum application performance in minimum design time. The Company is engaged in research, development, and customer support from its offices in Santa Clara, California, Waltham, Massachusetts, Princeton, New Jersey, Yokohama, Japan and London, UK.

Tensilica is headquartered in Santa Clara, California (95054) at 3255-6 Scott Boulevard, and can be reached at (408) 986-8000 or via the World Wide Web at www.tensilica.com

About Wind River

Wind River, www.windriver.com, is a worldwide leader in embedded software. Wind River provides software development tools, real-time operating systems, and advanced connectivity for use in products throughout the Internet, telecommunications and data communications, digital imaging, networking, medical, computer peripherals, automotive, and aerospace/defense markets. Wind River is how smart things think. Founded in 1983, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California, with operations in fifteen countries worldwide.

"Tensilica", "Xtensa" and "OSKit" are the trademarks belonging to Tensilica Inc.

Wind River Systems, the Wind River Systems logo and VxWorks are registered trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc. Tornado is a trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc.