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16 December 2013

Toumaz Limited

Frontier Silicon and Imagination extend partnership to deliver integrated, single-chip solution for global digital radio

Toumaz Limited (AIM: TMZ, 'Toumaz', or 'the Group'), announces that as part of the ongoing partnership with Imagination Technologies (LSE: IMG), its Frontier Silicon business, the leading supplier of digital radio and connected audio technology, will be using Imagination's Ensigma global digital radio platform in the fourth generation of its multi-standard programmable radio ICs, Chorus 4.

Toumaz's CEO Anthony Sethill and Sir Hossein Yassaie, CEO of Imagination Technologies, will be revealing Chorus 4 today as part of the Go Digital conference at The Radio Theatre, BBC Broadcasting House in London. 

The new, highly integrated Chorus 4 chip builds on Frontier's previous generations of advanced programmable baseband processors. It delivers a truly single-chip multi-standard solution that supports all key global digital radio standards, as well as supporting legacy analogue radio standards.

Since 2002, Frontier Silicon and Imagination have worked together to provide compelling solutions for the consumer digital radio market - beginning with the first £99 DAB radio from Imagination's consumer brand, Pure, and leading to the availability of affordable sub-£20 digital radio devices today.

As a result of the partnership, digital radio functions are now found in all categories of consumer audio products - including portables, home audio systems, radio recorders, clock radios and automotive aftermarket products - from brands including Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Bush, Denon, harman/kardon, Hitachi, JVC, NAD, Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Pure, Roberts, Sanyo, Sharp, Sony, TEAC, TechniSat, Tivoli Audio and Yamaha.

Anthony Sethill, CEO of Toumaz Group said:

"Over the last ten years, Frontier Silicon and Imagination Technologies have worked in partnership to provide technology solutions for the digital radio device market. Imagination's Ensigma communications processor technology allows us to create robust solutions to support the world's major digital radio standards and create a more enjoyable listening experience.

"Chorus 4, supported by Frontier's worldwide presence, is the next bold step in enabling the transition of consumer listening to digital."

Sir Hossein Yassaie, CEO of Imagination Technologies said:

"The long partnership between Imagination and Frontier Silicon has been a key factor in the development of digital radio. Today, UK technology solutions power 80% of consumer DAB and DAB+ radios worldwide. The next stage of our partnership will deliver improved functionality, greater energy efficiency and better value for money - targeted at global markets."

Under the terms of its licensing arrangements Imagination receives license fees, and royalty revenues on shipment of SoCs incorporating Imagination's IP.

Enquiries:

About Toumaz (www.toumaz.com)

Toumaz Limited is a pioneer in low-power, wireless semiconductor and software technologies for healthcare and consumer audio. The company has two divisions, Toumaz Healthcare and Frontier Silicon. Toumaz Healthcare develops wireless solutions for patient monitoring. Frontier Silicon provides chip, modules and software for digital radio and connected audio devices.

About Frontier Silicon Limited

Frontier Silicon is the world's leading supplier of integrated circuits and modules for digital radio and connected audio products. Frontier Silicon is part of the Toumaz Group, which provides low power connected solutions for consumer audio and professional healthcare markets. The group is headquartered in London, England, with design centres in Oxford, Cambridge and Romania. The company also has sales and technical support teams in Hong Kong, China and Japan. Frontier Silicon's audio products offer solutions for DAB/DAB+, Internet radio and connected audio - from silicon through software to production-ready platform designs. Frontier Silicon is a trademark or registered trademark of Frontier Silicon Ltd.

About Imagination Technologies

Imagination Technologies - a global leader in multimedia, processor, communication and cloud technologies - creates and licenses market-leading processor solutions including graphics, video, vision, CPU and embedded processing, multi-standard communications, cross-platform V.VoIP and VoLTE and cloud connectivity. These silicon and software intellectual property (IP) solutions for systems-on-chip (SoC) are complemented by an extensive portfolio of software, tools and ecosystems. Target markets include mobile phone, connected home consumer, mobile and tablet computing, in-car electronics, networking, telecoms, health, smart energy and connected sensors. Imagination's licensees include many of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers, network operators and OEM/ODMs. Corporate headquarters are located in the United Kingdom, with sales and R&D offices worldwide. See: www.imgtec.com.