AMS SELECTS SUBSTRATESTORM FOR MIXED-SIGNAL SOC.

Simplex Solutions, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., has announced that Austria Mikro Systeme International (AMS), an independent supplier of mixed-signal ASIC, ASSP and system solutions in CMOS, BiCMOS and SiGe-BiCMOS processes, has selected Simplex' SubstrateStorm(TM) substrate noise modeling and analysis tool. SubstrateStorm enables designers to model the substrate of integrated circuits (ICs) in three dimensions and analyze substrate noise in advanced wireless, radio-frequency (RF), analog and mixed-signal system-on-chip (SoC) designs. AMS plans to make SubstrateStorm technology files available for use by external customers in the near future.

AMS evaluated SubstrateStorm on a complex mixed-signal CMOS ASIC. Using the tool, the design team was able to accurately simulate the crosstalk between the digital and analog blocks of the design. The team then used the results of the analysis to optimize the layout of the chip's guardbars.

"SubstrateStorm is important for all mixed analog/digital SoC designs. It accurately models the substrate within a reasonable simulation time and is integrated well with the Cadence Analog Artist mixed-signal design flow used at Austria Mikro Systeme," said Mario Manninger, director, design research and development at AMS.

"Simplex' mixed-signal development team has worked with leading semiconductor companies to develop the most accurate substrate modeling and analysis solution available," said John Elliott, director of European operations for Simplex. "We're delighted that AMS has deployed SubstrateStorm as part of its standard mixed-signal design flow. We look forward to working closely with this European market-leader in mixed analog/digital design to provide the substrate noise analysis solutions their advanced SoCs require."

About Austria Mikro Systeme International

Austria Mikro Systeme International (AMS) specializes in developing and producing application-specific integrated circuits -- ASICs -- and application-specific standard products -- ASSPs. Austria Mikro Systeme International offers a broad range of customer solutions for the automotive, communication and industrial markets. The company, whose headquarters are located near Graz, Austria, is one of Europe's market leaders in mixed analog/digital ASICs. Austria Mikro Systeme International maintains design centres in Unterpremstatten, Graz, Dresden, Stuttgart, Pisa and Rapperswil/Switzerland and sales offices in Paris, Milan, Stockholm, London, Munich, Hamburg, San Jose/California and Yokohama/Japan. Further information on AMS can be found at www.amsint.com

About Simplex Solutions, Inc.

Simplex Solutions, Inc. provides software and services designed to enable first-time production success of complex systems-on-chip (SoCs), accelerating time-to-market and reducing production costs for computer, communications and consumer-product manufacturers. Simplex' software products are designed to enable customers to identify and to correct previously undetectable defects or substandard performance in integrated circuit (IC) power integrity, timing integrity, signal integrity and reliability created by adverse interactions between densely packed components in deep submicron (DSM) chip designs. Simplex' SoC Design Foundry business provides customers with physical design capabilities for first-time production success, based on proprietary DSM methodologies and tools. Simplex works closely with semiconductor foundries Chartered, IBM, NEC, TSMC, Toshiba and UMC to develop and deliver SoC design and verification solutions to mutual customers. The company's investors include Attractor Investment Management, Intel Corp., Mayfield Fund, Sumitomo Corp. and Worldview Technology Partners.

Simplex can be reached at [phone] or on the web at http://www.simplex.com.