Sophia Systems releases a VoIP reference design based on Intel® PXA270 applications processor

Intel Developer Forum Japan 2005, April 7, 2005 - Sophia Systems Co., Ltd. JASDAQ: Sophia 6942), is pleased to announce the release of the Sandgate II-P - a VoIP reference design/enabling platform based on Intel® PXA270 applications processor.

The "Sandgate II-P" is made up of three basic parts: a form factor VoIP cellular phone; a debug board that directly connects to the phone allowing debugging via JTAG, Serial or LAN; and an optional monitor/keyboard that makes application development/evaluation easy and convenient. This VoIP reference design includes all the hardware/software features necessary to evaluate and enable VoIP application software at the same times as the hardware is being developed. Basic software is included from Softfront that will enable developers to design their own SIP/VoIP device in a short period of time. In addition, various middleware and software solutions will be available soon by third parties for evaluation samples.

As the complexity of these embedded devices increases, developers are in need of reference designs and enabling kits that help to shorten the overall system development time. By combining the communications and image processing functions that are required for digital home electric appliances and multi-function cell phones etc., Sophia's form factor VoIP design makes it easier then ever thanks to the technical assistance and joint collaboration with Intel on this project. The Sandgate II-P is an ideal reference solution for developers of advanced portable devices.

The combination of the Sandgate II-P and Sophia's EJ-Debug JTAG emulator provides on-chip debugging; and the use of Microsoft® Platform Builder and Sophia's Watchpoint® debugger provides high-performance debugging capabilities for Windows CE developers. A copy of Windows CE 5.0 and reference BSP (Board Support Package) is included with the purchase of the Sandgate II-P reference board.

Tasuku Kashihira, CEO of Sophia Systems said, "With the growing demands on the embedded market for internet protocol, the Sandgate II-P platform is able to meet a wide range of development needs thanks to the cooperation of our partners. From evaluation to completion, this VoIP reference design enables engineers to deliver the product to market in a timely manner."

"The embedded handheld segment is quickly expanding with devices, including VOIP handsets, taking advantage of the inherent low power and high performance of Intel XScale technology, said Scott Dunagan, marketing manager for Intel's Infrastructure Processor Division. Sophia's Sandgate-II-P development systems offer our customers the design tools to realize this opportunity"

"Microsoft is excited about the growing VoIP market and strongly supports the development of VoIP devices with a wide range of networking capabilities on Windows CE. We are confident that Sophia Systems' Sandgate II-P reference board will promote the development of the VoIP phone terminals and expand the market." Kazhiro Senju, Director of Mobile & Embedded Devices Business Group in Microsoft Co., Ltd.

"We believe that the development of the VoIP market will not only offer significant savings in communication costs but will also become an important piece in realizing ubiquitous communication in the IT world. Therefore, we are committed to actively promote and provide the VoIP device solutions such as our 'I_Teamesse' and the button phone, 'Aspire' in order to build the IT office," said Yoshikazu Kobayashi of NEC Infrontia. "Sophia Systems' Sandgate II-P reference board will serve to stimulate developers and expand the marketplace of VoIP devices, handy terminals, wireless terminals, etc…"

"The globally expanding SIP/VoIP market is demanding complete solutions from processor to applications in order decrease time-to-market. The combination of the Intel® processor, Microsoft Windows CE, and our middleware is now integrated into one enabling platform with Sophia Systems' Sandgate II-P. This complete solution decreases each development phase allowing high-quality and inter-connectable SIP/VoIP products to enter the market quickly." Katsuhiko Sakaguchi, the CEO of Softfront.

About Sophia Systems Co., Ltd.
Sophia Systems is celebrating 30 years as a leader in the embedded systems industry and offers comprehensive development solutions supporting Intel® XScale® Technology and Microsoft® Windows® CE. Sophia Systems is headquartered just outside of Tokyo Japan with sales offices and/or distributors throughout Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

In September 2004, Sophia Systems was awarded "Windows Embedded 2004 Partner of the Year" by Microsoft Japan for contributing to the success of WinCE based development environments. Leading up to the award, Microsoft highly evaluated our Sandgate and Sandgate II DVK's as well as our work in creating BSPs, taking part in hardware enabling programs and making alliances with Intel and other technology leaders.

About Intel Corporation
Intel Corporation is one of the biggest manufactures of semiconductors and PC Network/Communication products worldwide. For more information please visit: http://www.intel.com

About NEC Infrontia Corporation
NEC Infrontia Corporation has 3 main business units, (1) key telephone system, (2) POS system, and (3) specialized terminals such as PDAs; and provides convenient and natural communication devices to enable conversations and the information to travel to anybody anywhere, anytime. We continually strive to bring ubiquitous solutions to the market by forming partnerships and alliances industry leaders such as: Sophia Systems, Microsoft, and Intel. For more information on "I_Teamesse" please visit: http://www.necinfrontia.co.jp/english/

Softfront
Softfront is the pioneer and leading SIP developer company in Japan. Our products have achieved a remarkable reputation in the Japanese domestic market for our International Standard, cutting-edge SIP/VoIP technologies. Our SIP-based SDK packages provide the highest levels of flexibility, scalability and performance, and have been adopted by a major part of the VoIP industry in Japan for producing expeditious, reliable and seamless VoIP solutions and services. http://www.softfront.co.jp/en/index.html