*****For immediate use January 27th, 2000

NEC Announces CB-12 Family, World's First 0.13-micron Cell-based ICs

"0.13mASIC CB-12"

TOKYO January 27th, 2000 - NEC Corporation (NEC) (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) has developed the CB-12 family, the world's most advanced cell-based integrated circuit (ICs) based on its UX4 0.13-micron CMOS process (effective gate length of 0.10-micron). The CB-12 family strengthens NEC's position as a leading solutions provider in the field of mobile and low power devices, as well as in the realms of networking, graphics and other high-speed devices.

CB-12 provides a level of integration never before available to designers that will enable complete systems to be embedded in a single chip, providing up to 32 million gates and clock speeds of over 450MHz, resulting in greater portability, performance and reduced power consumption in systems for end users.

CB-12 will utilize NEC's UX4 process technology with its modular process capability, together with four individual libraries in optimal combination to meet customers' specific performance targets. In designing a system LSI for use in cellular phones using these optimized libraries and the UX4 process, for example, the logic circuits would be based on NEC's "L" library for ultra low power consumption and clock speeds of up to 100MHz to achieve extended stand-by times, while the DSP core would utilize NEC's standard "M" library enabling optimal power management.

Similarly, for graphics and networking LSI solutions, devices utilizing the high-speed "HM" library and aluminum wiring would provide operating frequencies of 450MHz. With devices for high-end server and networking applications, use of copper wiring and the ultra fast "H" library would add even more impetus and enable clock speeds beyond 450 MHz for very high overall system performance.

These highly optimized libraries and its CPU, DSP and IP cores will enable NEC to provide higher added value solutions to its customers, while its ability to provide clock speeds beyond 450MHz, short design lead times, chip architectures, high-speed I/O and packaging are also being optimized to meet the exact needs of customers.

Orders for CB-12 devices based on the L and M libraries will be taken from April 2000, with sampling set to begin from June 2000 and volume production from August 2000. Orders for devices based on the HM library will be taken from June 2000 with sampling from August and production from October 2000, while orders for devices utilizing the H library will be accepted from the end of the year with sampling and production anticipated from 2001.

• About NEC Corporation
• Main features of the CB-12-series
• IP Core Lineup for the CB-12
• Main specifications for the CB-12 series

                        Media Contact:-
                        Aston Bridgman
                        NEC Corporation
                        TEL   :81-3-3798-6511
                        FAX   :81-3-3457-7249
                        E-mail:Aston_Bridgman@HO-PRD.ccgw.nec.co.jp