SMSC Licenses MediaLB Technology to Softing AG

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. & HAAR, Germany--July 13, 2006--SMSC and Softing AG (ISIN DE0005178008/WKN 517800) today announced that the two companies have entered into a license agreement for SMSC's Media Local Bus (MediaLB(TM)) technology. The MediaLB implementation used on Softing's MOST evaluation platform allows customers to test the advantages of this trend-setting technology under real conditions prior to development launch.

MOST(R) multimedia networking technology enables new classes of multimedia applications in automobiles. It facilitates the efficient transport of real-time streaming multimedia, control and packet information over a single optical fiber or twisted pair wire, eliminating the need to run multiple wires throughout a vehicle, and enables automakers to decentralize infotainment functions into various components distributed around the vehicle. MediaLB, available on all of SMSC's Intelligent Network Interface Controllers (INICs), is a low cost, low pin count, serial on-PCB and inter-chip communication standard for multimedia applications. Its synchronous connection to the MOST network can transport diverse multimedia signals. Softing is the first company in the tool sector to use the MediaLB inter-chip bus interface.

About SMSC:

Many of the world's most successful global technology companies rely upon SMSC as a go-to resource for semiconductor system solutions that span analog, digital and mixed-signal technologies. Leveraging substantial intellectual property, integration expertise and a comprehensive global infrastructure, SMSC solves design challenges and delivers performance, space, cost and time-to-market advantages to its customers. SMSC's application focus targets key vertical markets including mobile and desktop PCs, servers, consumer electronics, automotive infotainment and industrial applications. The Company has developed leadership positions in its select markets by providing application specific solutions such as mixed-signal PC system controllers, non-PCI Ethernet, ARCNET, MOST and Hi-Speed USB.

SMSC is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York with operations in North America, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China and Europe. Engineering design centers are located in Arizona, New York, Texas and Karlsruhe, Germany. Additional information is available at http://www.smsc.com.

SMSC and MOST are registered trademarks, and MediaLB is a trademark of Standard Microsystems Corporation. Product names, company names and brand names are property of their respective owners.

About Softing:

Softing AG, based in Haar near Munich, has been a reliable system partner to vehicle manufacturers, system and ECU suppliers and provided powerful tools and solutions for more than 25 years. Softing, with more than 200 employees and a turnover of over 22 million Euros, is the specialist for ECU communication and vehicle diagnostics in the vehicle. Long-term customers of Softing include all leading automobile manufacturers. Softing is one of the top suppliers with around 50,000 installations in the growth market for test and diagnostic systems in vehicle electronics. More information: www.softing.com