AWR Teams With Cyntec to Develop Thin Film Process Library for Microwave Office; AWR's EDA Tool Uniquely Suited for Complex Thin Film Technology Design.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and HSIN-CHU, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2004

Applied Wave Research, Inc. (AWR(TM)), a leading provider of high-frequency electronic design automation (EDA) tools, and Cyntec Co., Ltd., a leading developer of state-of-the-art thin film technology and products, today announced that they will work together to develop a thin film process design library for AWR's Microwave Office(TM) EDA software suite.

AWR has been working closely on several projects with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a non-profit research and development (R&D) organization founded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), to address the technological needs of Taiwan's industrial development. ITRI has been appointed and is funded by the government's Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) to develop thin film technology in Taiwan. This involves foundries, EDA vendors, test equipment vendors, and potential customers. AWR will provide training and mentorship for Cyntec to develop a thin film process library for the Microwave Office product.

Thin film circuits printed on low loss ceramic substrates is a mature technology that has been used for several decades in millimeter wave and radio-frequency (RF) applications. Similar to semiconductor manufacturing, not only via holes and bonding pads, but resistor, inductor, capacitor, and isolation layers can be easily formed during the deposition and etching process. Recent advances in multi-layer substrate design have enabled the fabrication of much more complex circuits which are needed for today's sophisticated communications systems. Thin film technology is a low-cost solution that produces stable, high-performance, miniature products capable of meeting current and future demands.

"The thin film process is not new," said Ron Patston, AWR vice president of Asia Pacific operations. "While it offers an efficient, high-performance and cost-effective alternative, designers are not as familiar with it as they are with the more traditional integrated circuit (IC) design process. EDA tools have the potential to be an important part of the thin film design process, but they must become more closely integrated within the multi-layer substrate design methodology. The innovative open architecture and easy-to-use interface in the Microwave Office software make it the perfect choice for designers who need reliable integration in a user-friendly environment."

"Cyntec is highly qualified for this technologically advanced project because of its professional engineering group, sophisticated equipment, and experience in developing state-of-the-art thin film technology," said Cyntec GM Mr. Shih. "Our corporate culture of innovation, quality, speed, and cooperation will afford an excellent relationship with AWR."

"We see the development of thin film technology as an important step towards our goal to make Taiwan the global leading IC design center," said Mr. Fuh, Committee of Communication Industry Development, MOEA. "We expect that this cooperative effort between AWR and Cyntec will produce a design tool that brings us closer to making thin film technology a viable alternative to traditional IC design and production."

About Applied Wave Research, Inc.

Applied Wave Research is a leading supplier of high-frequency electronic design automation (EDA) products for the design of wireless telecommunications equipment, semiconductors, high-speed computers, networking systems, and a variety of other electronics-based products. AWR is a privately held company and has development offices, sales offices, training centers, and global distribution. AWR launched its first product in 1998 and today has over 400 customer companies worldwide, including virtually every major high-frequency electronic component and system supplier. The company is located at 1960 East Grand Avenue, Suite 430, El Segundo, California 90245. For more information about AWR and its products, please visit www.mwoffice.com or call 310-726-3000.

About Cyntec

Cyntec is a high-tech company specialized in thin film technology and products. Our business growth stems from our corporate culture of Innovation, Quality, Speed and Cooperation. To keep a continuous success in the fast changing market, we stress the importance of innovative technology and fast responsiveness in both product development and customer service. We also emphasize close cooperation and partnership with our customers so as to provide them with high quality products and services to reinforce their competitive position. By adhering to Innovation, Quality, Speed and Cooperation, we are confident that we can achieve a vital growth with our customers into the 21st century.

AWR, the AWR logo, and Microwave Office are trademarks of Applied Wave Research, Inc. All other registered marks are the property of their respective holders.