Atmel and Telit Revolutionize Machine-to-Machine Communications System Design for Processor-intensive Applications

Rousset, France and Rome (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Atmel's AT91SAM9260 ARM9-based Microcontroller Offloads
Time-Critical Applications from Second GPRS Processor

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) and Telit Communications PLC
(AIM: TCM), an international leader in the field of
machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, disclosed today that Telit
has been harnessing the expertise of microcontroller leader Atmel for
the development of its high-performance M2M modules. The GE863-PRO(3)
is the first product in Telit's dual-processor range to feature an
Atmel AT91SAM9260 ARM9-based processor running the application in
tandem with a dedicated processor for GPRS communication. It provides
the extremely high processing power and the flexibility to support
today's rapidly changing M2M market that demands more advanced
features and more processing power at ever-shorter intervals. Its
standard form factor and easy integration make the Telit module
particularly attractive for applications such as POS terminals or
fleet management. The GE863-PRO(3) has met with tremendous market
success since its launch in Q4 2007.

The core of the GE863-PRO(3) is the AT91SAM9260, an ARM9-based
embedded processor from Atmel that delivers processing power above
200 MIPS. Whereas in the past just one sub-50 MIPS microcontroller
took care of alternate communication and application tasks, the
additional AT91SAM9260 processor now controls only real-time
applications, while the second GPRS processor handles time-critical
GPRS communications transactions.

Advantages for End Users and Systems Integrators. The
GE863-PRO(3) is designed as a small footprint platform that can be
easily adapted to rapidly changing demand in the M2M market without
the need to re-design the hardware. This is assured by a standard
form factor, tried-and-tested BGA (Ball Grid Array) assembly and
sufficient integrated memory for software applications. It thus
facilitates a short time-to-market with a simultaneous reduction in
development costs for applications. "By selecting a dual processor
approach and using a high performance standard microcontroller
supported by an extensive eco-system to run the application layers,
integrating future demand becomes less time consuming, lower risk and
less costly. With its core values of investment protection, easy
integration, high quality and scalability, Telit is focusing
precisely on the aspects that will be in the future the key
determinants of success in the M2M market," said Jacko Wilbrink,
Atmel's ARM(R) Product Marketing Director. "This makes Telit an ideal
partner to help us to become established in this market."

Targeted Use through Flexibility. Telit's PRO(3) professional

dual-processor range can be adapted to the particular needs of
specialist areas thanks to a number of expansion options. The WiFi
add-on WA100-DUAL, for example, facilitates the wireless connections
over short distances that are needed for fleet management. Hand-held
devices and scanners on the loading ramp can thus transfer
information on stock management or facilitate data transfer with
lorries.

Stability Thanks to Expert Partners. In view of the company's
many years' experience in microcontrollers and its excellent support,
Telit has chosen Atmel for close collaboration in product
development. Telit has already integrated a previous generation of
Atmel's ARM7-based microcontrollers into its products. "The
outstanding results of this cooperation and the availability of a
high performance ARM9(TM) Embedded Microprocessor in a 10x10 mm BGA
package were the foundation of our decision to integrate Atmel's
AT91SAM9260 in our PRO(3) professional dual-processor range too,"
says Dominikus Hierl, President of Telit Wireless Solutions. "The
successful launch of the GE863-PRO(3) confirms our decision to
continue relying on Atmel processors."

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof and others, are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Telit(R) is a
registered trademark of Telit Communications PLC. ARM(R) is a
registered trademark of ARM Ltd. Other terms and product names may be
trademarks of others.

About Telit

Telit is a leading global wireless technology company. It
develops, manufactures and markets GSM/GPRS, UMTS/HSDPA and CDMA/EVDO
enterprise communication modules for machine-to-machine (M2M)
applications that streamline business processes by enabling machines,
devices and vehicles to communicate via mobile networks. Telit's
products are sold and deployed worldwide through offices in China,
Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Korea, Spain,
Taiwan, and the USA. Telit Communications PLC is listed on the AIM
(Ticker: TCM). For more information about the company, please visit
http://www.telit.com.

Atmel Product Information:

Atmel's AT91SAM9260 product information may be retrieved at
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3870

Telit Product Information:

For more information about Telit's GE863-PRO(3), see
http://www.telit.com/en/products.php?p_id=3&p_ac=show&p=10

Atmel Press Contacts:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset, Europe
Tel: +33-(0)4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@Atmel.com
Telit Press Contacts:
Alexander Bufalino, SVP Global Marketing
Tel.: +49-160-96-00-46-13, Fax: +49-335-87-45-345, E-mail:
alexander.bufalino@telit.com
Sebastian Lindner
Tel.: +49-89-41-95-99-77, Fax: +49-89-41-95-99-12, E-mail:
telit@maisberger.com
Web site: http://www.atmel.com
http://www.telit.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, of Atmel Rousset, Europe,
+33-(0)4-42-53-61-50, peter.bishop@atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos,
Public Relations, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@Atmel.com, both of Atmel
Corporation; or Alexander Bufalino, SVP Global Marketing,
+49-160-96-00-46-13, fax +49-335-87-45-345,
alexander.bufalino@telit.com, or Sebastian Lindner,
+49-89-41-95-99-77, fax +49-89-41-95-99-12, telit@maisberger.com;
both of Telit