Accelerated Technology Announces the Addition of Royalty-free POSIX to the Growing List of APIs for the Nucleus RTOS.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

MOBILE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2004

Accelerated Technology(R), the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT), today announced the addition of the Nucleus(R) POSIX kernel to the Nucleus family of products. The POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface for UNIX) standard provides a standard application program interface (API) for developers. POSIX joins the growing list of APIs supported by the Nucleus software, which in addition to the Nucleus PLUS standard API, also includes the micro-ITRON and OSEK APIs.

The use of the Nucleus POSIX API provides several advantages to the Nucleus application developers. It allows developers that are currently using a different real-time operating system (RTOS), which also supports a POSIX API, to easily migrate their applications to the Nucleus RTOS. Traditionally, once a company has used a particular RTOS in their design, it is difficult to switch to another RTOS because much of the application code is hard to transfer to a different RTOS. This may prevent a company from migrating to an RTOS that better fits their needs because the switching costs are too high. The Nucleus POSIX API solves this switching problem for those that have the POSIX applications.

Secondly, many embedded developers come from a UNIX background where the POSIX API is pervasive. Now those developers will be able to write embedded applications in an API that they are already familiar with, instead of learning a new one.

Finally, since the POSIX standard is supported by other operating systems (OS), the use of a POSIX OS protects engineering investments in several ways. It is easier for a company to recruit engineers with existing knowledge of the POSIX API, resulting in less training of personnel. Also, should it become necessary to change the OS, it will be simpler to port the application from one POSIX OS to another.

"We now have a number of significant designs that have chosen both the Nucleus kernel and the POSIX API. These designs have enabled us to launch this royalty-free version of a POSIX kernel and will allow us to fulfill designs with these requirements in the future," said Robert Day, director of marketing, Mentor Graphics Embedded Systems Division.

The Nucleus RTOS is the leading source code, non-royalty operating system in the world. The business model and breadth of products available for the Nucleus RTOS, which include a networking suite, graphics software, file management system, 802.11b and USB support, make the Nucleus software very competitive for a wide range of products. However, some Nucleus customers have existing POSIX applications that they would like to move to the Nucleus RTOS. The Nucleus POSIX API allows those existing applications to be ported to the Nucleus RTOS with minimal effort.

Availability and Pricing

The Nucleus embedded software is licensed with source code and without royalty fees. Available now, licenses for the Nucleus POSIX software start at U.S. $7,495. For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology at 800-468-6853 or [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 $675 million and employs approximately 3,700 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: http://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.