Aisys to represent Frequency Technology in Japan; Newly launched true 3D design tools "Break the Interconnect Barrier".

ANNAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1997--Frequency Technology, Inc. has today announced its presence in the Japan market through representation by Aisys Corporation.

Last week, Frequency launched Columbus, the first electronic design automation (EDA) tool designed to break the "interconnect barrier" -- which is a major impediment to the successful design of the new generations of extremely fast, dense integrated circuits, called deep-submicron designs. Frequency's unique True 3D Technology is at heart of Columbus and will be the foundation of Frequency's entire family of design tools which break the interconnect barrier.

"Japan is a very important market for Frequency's advanced design tools," said Morio Kurosaki, managing general partner for Aisys. "Many of the most advanced chips for computers, communications, and consumer electronics come out of Japanese manufacturers. Being able to efficiently design next generation, deep submicron chips will be critical to their success. We are very proud to represent Frequency's True 3D Technology and products in Japan."

According to Martin Walker, Ph.D., Frequency's president and CEO, "Frequency's mission is to break the interconnect barrier by offering design tools that are far more accurate than those available today. We are very pleased to be represented in Japan by Aisys, which has demonstrated great expertise in representing leading edge companies that dramatically impact the adoption of advanced technology."

Walker further explained, "The interconnect barrier impacts more than just chip designers. IC manufacturers in Japan and around the world are investing billions of dollars in advanced, new fabs. In order to justify these investments, they must process precisely-designed chips which exploit the last measure of capability from these new processes. But the interconnect barrier forces such conservative designs that many of the advantages gained by using such leading-edge processes is lost. The impacts on cost, functionality, and time-to-market are ultimately felt throughout the entire electronics industry whose growth depends upon increasingly capable chips."

Frequency's proprietary True-3D Technology is able to accurately predict the performance of interconnect wires in a deep submicron design, from a true, physical, three-dimensional perspective, to accuracies which are 300% better than the very best of alternative tools. Fundamental to True-3D Technology is a new method for describing the physics of the interconnect. The True-3D model is based upon a deep understanding by Frequency's scientists of the interconnect fabrication process, and a new approach to the rather formidable mathematics required for accurate analysis.

This relationship with Aisys will include Columbus and Frequency's future design tools and services which are being developed to break the interconnect barrier across the IC design flow. Columbus is the first software tool based on True-3D Technology. It is a new, stand-alone 3D parasitic extraction tool, which is capable of unprecedented degrees of accuracy on large designs, with reasonable computation requirements.

Aisys Corporation provides sales and marketing consulting services for Silicon Valley-based computer, communication, software, and semiconductor companies. The company headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. Aisys USA is located in Cupertino, Calif., and can be reached at 408/873-8700. More information about Aisys can be obtained at www.aisys.co.jp/ .

Frequency Technology, Inc., based in San Jose, Calif., was founded in 1995 to focus exclusively on developing solutions for breaking the interconnect barrier -- the fundamental impediment to the design of deep submicron chips.

To date, the company has launched True-3D Technology, the only technology which accurately models the interconnect in such designs, and the first of its complete family of electronic design automation tools based on True-3D Technology. The company has raised $6 million in venture funding from IVP, Sigma Partners, Menlo Ventures, and TMA, Inc. Frequency's URL is www.frequency.com . -0-

Note To Editors: All trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies. For more customer information on Frequency Technology, contact: Frequency Technology, Inc., San Jose, Calif., 408/938-9300, Fax: [phone], [e-mail].

The text of this release as well as additional background information may be downloaded from our Website at http://www.roederj.com .

CONTACT: Roeder-Johnson Corporation (For Frequency Technology)

Abigail Johnson, 415/802-1850

[e-mail]

or

Aisys Corporation

Tomio Okachi, 408/873-8700

[e-mail]