Agilent Technologies and Synopsys Announce Initiative to Reduce Overall Cost of Test; Companies to Explore Synergies in Linking Test EDA Software and ATE Hardware.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

DATE CONFERENCE-- Responding to escalating concerns that the cost of testing complex semiconductor devices may soon exceed the cost of fabrication, Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) and Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A), today announced an agreement targeted at reducing the overall cost of test by bridging the gap between electronic design automation (EDA) test software and automated test equipment (ATE) hardware.

Both Synopsys and Agilent recognize that the future of affordable, high quality manufacturing test lies in strong coordination between ATE companies and EDA tool providers. This agreement establishes a framework for close evaluation of potential innovations in test technology for new and existing worldwide customers as they seek to bring complex system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices to market.

Rapid growth in SoC designs has led to the proliferation of complex, high pin-count devices that are dramatically more difficult and expensive to test. As a result, both companies are facing a strong mandate from customers to resolve this situation. In response, Synopsys and Agilent will explore the ability to make EDA test tools aware of intended ATE environments for SoC devices in order to synthesize the optimal design-for-test (DFT) structure. Moreover, ATE hardware must have the ability to fully use every DFT resource available on the device.

"This strategic alliance, the first of its kind, clearly positions Agilent and Synopsys at the forefront of the system-on-a-chip era where design and test must be linked," said Tom Newsom, vice president and general manager of Agilent Technologies' System-on-a-Chip Business Unit. "We aim to provide our customers with huge benefits in time to market and cost of test savings from our initiatives that shatter the wall between design and test."

"As designs continue to grow in complexity, it is apparent to Synopsys' and Agilent's mutual customers that the cost of test is becoming a critical business risk," said Antun Domic, senior vice president and general manager, Synopsys Nanometer Analysis and Test Business Unit. "Our customers are looking to us to create revolutionary integrated EDA and ATE flows that can meet their design-to-manufacturing challenges while simultaneously reducing their overall cost of test. This alliance demonstrates that both Agilent and Synopsys are firmly committed to addressing our customers' cost, quality, and time-to-market needs."

Synopsys' EDA Test Solution

Synopsys is the leading supplier of IC EDA test automation solutions, and offers a complete line of integrated products and services that enable IC design teams to meet their most demanding manufacturing test requirements. The company's award winning design for test product offering includes DFT Compiler and TetraMAX(R) ATPG. DFT Compiler incorporates the latest generation of Synopsys' patented 1-Pass test synthesis technology to enable design teams to efficiently meet their DFT closure goals within Synopsys' industry-leading physical synthesis design environment. TetraMAX provides industry leading ATPG performance, capacity and usability to enable design and DFT engineers to attain the highest-quality manufacturing test vectors.

Agilent Semiconductor Test Solutions

Agilent's overarching Intelligent Test strategy encompasses a broad range of semiconductor test equipment and advanced information management tools that enable customers to speed products to market and reduce the overall cost of manufacturing. Products include SoC (system-on-a-chip), flash memory, RF, and parametric test solutions. Additional information can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com/see/dft.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a diversified technology company with approximately 47,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. In fiscal year 2000, Agilent had net revenue of $10.8 billion. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare.

Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), headquartered in Mountain View, California, creates leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools for the global electronics market. The company delivers advanced design technologies and solutions to developers of complex integrated circuits, electronic systems, and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting and support services to simplify the overall IC design process and accelerate time to market for its customers. Visit Synopsys at http://www.synopsys.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, the ability of Agilent and Synopsys to successfully develop and market products that will link EDA and ATE, reduce customer time to market, and result in cost-of-test savings) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the results of Agilent Technologies to differ materially from management's current expectations. These and other risks are detailed in Agilent's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2000, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This release contains forward-looking statements under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on Synopsys' current expectations and beliefs. Actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these statements. Factors that could cause results to differ from these statements include the competitive nature of the electronic design automation industry, uncertainties about the ability to develop and deploy complex technology as anticipated, possible changes in the way semiconductors are designed and tested, as well as factors identified in documents filed by Synopsys with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially the most recent report on Form 10-K.

Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. TetraMAX is a trademark of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.