Accelerated Technology's Nucleus RTOS Flying in the Skies in Garmin's New Professional Aviation GPS.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOBILE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2003

Accelerated Technology(R), the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT), today announced that its Nucleus(R) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) has been used by Garmin International to develop the CNX80 navigational global positioning system (GPS) designed for general aviation.

The CNX80 GPS allows a pilot to file a flight plan, receive clearance and program the approved flight plan. The CNX80 GPS includes the industry's first certified wide area augmentation system (WAAS), which dramatically improves the accuracy, integrity and availability features of the GPS and provides for a safer flight of an aircraft.

Garmin developers looked for an RTOS that they could certify through the FAA to meet the airborne software requirements from DO-178B for Level B software. Certification requires adequate documentation that every decision point in the source code is fully tested to ensure safe operation of an aircraft. Developers tested the Nucleus PLUS kernel and received FAA certification with no changes required.

The developers at Garmin took advantage of the Nucleus MNT prototyping environment, which allows them to build and test their system without the need for constant access to their actual hardware. The developers also used other middleware components, including the Nucleus FILE file management software and the Nucleus GRAFIX software graphics package, to add extra functionality around the Nucleus PLUS kernel.

"We began evaluating RTOSes for our navigation application. We needed a reliable and tested RTOS provided with full source code and without royalty fees. After evaluating several options, we chose the Nucleus RTOS. It has served our needs well," said John Pratt, Software Engineering Team Leader for Garmin AT, a subsidiary of Garmin International.

"Safety-critical applications like the CNX80 GPS require a kernel that is reliable and certified to the highest FAA standards. The Nucleus PLUS kernel underwent stringent testing and completed its DO-178B certification for this device. We are pleased to be the software foundation for so many navigational applications in the avionics industry," said Robert Day, director of marketing for the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics.

Availability and Pricing

The Nucleus embedded software is licensed with source code and without royalty fees. Available now, licenses for the Nucleus RTOS start at U.S. $12,495. For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology at 800-468-6853 or [e-mail].

For information about Garmin AT and the CNX80 GPS, please visit www.garminat.com or contact Mr. Sam Seery at 503-391-3421 or e-mail at [e-mail].

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $650 million and employs approximately 3,600 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

Accelerated Technology, Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, is located in Mobile, Alabama with sales offices and distributors worldwide. By providing embedded systems developers with a focus on service, well-documented source code and industry-leading non-royalty-based Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) software, AT's RTOS software shortens time-to-market and provides a complete solution for engineers. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedtechnology.com or email us at [e-mail].

Mentor Graphics, Accelerated Technology and Nucleus are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.