MIPS Technologies’ Processor IP at the Heart of Sequans’ New LTE SoCs

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – October 27, 2011 – MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIPS), a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital home, networking and mobile applications, announced today that the new LTE (Long Term Evolution) SoC (System-on-Chip) from 4G chipmaker Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is powered by MIPS® industry-standard processors. Targeted at smartphones and tablets, the SQN3110 SoC is Sequans’ second generation LTE baseband chip. It incorporates dual MIPS32® 24Kc® processor cores, and is the first of a planned series of MIPS-Based LTE chips from Sequans.

LTE is a 4G wireless broadband technology that is quickly proliferating across the world. According to recent research from IHS iSuppli, growth of LTE infrastructure spending will reach $27.9 billion by 2014, a CAGR of a 107.5 percent from $1.5 billion in 2010. And research firm In-Stat forecasts that LTE subscriptions will experience an unprecedented 3,400% growth between 2011 and 2015. The MIPS® architecture is used widely in LTE network infrastructure solutions, and now through licensees such as Sequans, is gaining traction in user equipment (UE) such as handsets and tablets.

Implemented in an advanced 40nm process technology, the new SQN3110 SoC achieves LTE CAT4 data throughput with ultra-low power consumption. With Sequans’ 4G “slim modem” approach, the SoC provides high performance with compact area and low system cost. Compared with the previous generation LTE chip, the new MIPS-Based SoC features increased data throughput, 3GPP Release-9 support and improved power consumption.

“As the leading provider of 4G SoCs for handsets, Sequans leveraged its deep WiMAX and LTE experience to deliver this new SoC that offers key benefits for handsets and tablets. The SQN3110 SoC offers uncompromised performance in a low-power implementation with a high level of integration. MIPS’ flexible solutions and business model are enabling us to offer a broad range of options to our customers,” said Dr. Georges Karam, president and CEO, Sequans.

“MIPS Technologies continues to make inroads into the mobile market, with a growing presence in applications processing, baseband processing, and other mobile-related functionality. Sequans is clearly at the forefront of 4G chip development, with more than 10 million chipsets shipped to-date. We are pleased to team with Sequans as the company brings its high-performance, low-power MIPS-Based LTE chips to the world. The rapid adoption of 4G technologies provides a significant opportunity for Sequans to proliferate its products across the globe,” said Sandeep Vij, president and CEO, MIPS Technologies.

About Sequans Communications
Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a 4G chipmaker, supplying LTE and WiMAX chips to original equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers worldwide. Founded in 2003 to address the WiMAX market, the company expanded in early 2009 to address the LTE market. Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices throughout the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and China.

About MIPS Technologies, Inc.
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIPS) is a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for digital home, networking and mobile applications. The MIPS architecture powers some of the world's most popular products, including broadband devices from Linksys, DTVs and digital consumer devices from Sony, DVD recordable devices from Pioneer, digital set-top boxes from Motorola, network routers from Cisco, 32-bit microcontrollers from Microchip Technology and laser printers from Hewlett-Packard. Founded in 1998, MIPS Technologies is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices worldwide. For more information, contact (408) 530-5000 or visit www.mips.com.

Sales Europe:
MIPS Technologies B.V.; Tauberstr. 20b; 58553 Halfer
ph. +49 2191 900 200, eurosales@mips.com, www.mips.com

Media contact:
Agency Lorenzoni GmbH, Public Relations, Landshuter Str. 29, 85435 Erding, Germany; ph: +49 8122 559170; www.lorenzoni.de; Beate Lorenzoni-Felber, beate@lorenzoni.de

This release was published on openPR.