Alta Group and SGS-THOMSON Announce Integration of SGS-THOMSON DSP Core; SGS-THOMSON Joins Alta Group's Processor Core Integration Program.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 1996--The Alta Group of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics announced today the integration of instruction-level and cycle-accurate models of SGS-THOMSON's D950 digital signal processor (DSP) core into Alta Group's Signal Processing WorkSystem(TM) (SPW(TM)), a leading verification package for wireless and multimedia designs. SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics joined Alta Group's Processor Core Integration Program, which also offers specialized design services to support the integration of SPW and semiconductor vendors' instruction-level DSP processor models.

N. Charles Podaras, director, strategic alliances for Alta Group, said, "We are pleased that SGS-THOMSON, a leader with a long history in DSP core technology, has selected SPW as its intellectual property delivery vehicle. This joint effort underscores Alta Group's commitment to providing access to intellectual property throughout the design-in cycle. With the core integration program, Alta Group is at the forefront in working with leading semiconductor vendors to develop a methodology providing continuous verification throughout a core-based system design. Systems-on-silicon now contain multiple processors coupled with application-specific hardware, significantly increasing the importance of hardware/software coverification. The challenge demands modeling for verification at all levels of abstraction, from instruction-set simulators used in the critical early phase of system specification, through cycle-accurate models necessary for hardware implementation."

With the integration of SGS-THOMSON's D950 core models into Alta Group's SPW environment, product designers in areas such as wireless communications and multimedia will be able to evaluate the performance of devices and systems incorporating the D950 core. Users can explore the architectural trade-offs which best leverage the respective benefits of embedded software running on the D950 processor core and tightly-coupled hardware accelerators. The design can be optimized to meet the application requirements for cost, performance and power dissipation. Correct operation of final hardware and software can then be verified in a system context before commitment to silicon.

"The availability of this set of integrated EDA tools will give developers the ability to design and evaluate advanced systems-on-silicon solutions with a high level of confidence before commitment to fabrication," said Philippe Lambinet, director of the 16-bit and 32-bit micro division for SGS-THOMSON's programmable products group. "This cooperation with Alta Group is part of our continuing effort to expand the telecom and multimedia markets."

SGS-THOMSON's D950 is a 16-bit, fixed-point micro core optimized for DSP applications. It is supported by a library of peripheral macro-cells and software modules. A unique coprocessor interface allows fast custom hardware, specifically tuned to accelerate a particular application, to be tightly coupled with the D950 core.

The D950 is part of SGS-THOMSON's family of 16- and 32-bit micro-cores designed to be integrated with memory (ROM, RAM and flash), peripherals and compiled logic for building application-specific devices for wireless telecom, audio processing for multimedia, voice/data modem systems and complex servo systems.

Alta Group's Processor Core Integration Program was announced in June 1995. Other members include DSP Group, Inc., Lucent Technologies, Inc. (formerly AT&T Microelectronics) and Texas Instruments.

Full production shipment of the D950 model and the Alta Group interface will be available at the end of Q2 1996.

Alta Group is the leading supplier of system-level software tools, libraries and services for the design of electronic systems. The company's products are focused on the early, high-level portion of the design cycle where fundamental design decisions are made. Products of this type are classified as electronic system design automation (ESDA). Alta Group's target customers include electronic systems and semiconductor companies that design wireless communications, multimedia, networking and related products.

SGS-THOMSON is a leading worldwide supplier of power, memory, microprocessor and application-specific devices to the telecom, consumer, automotive, and industrial markets. One third of all GSM handsets and one third of all conventional telephone terminals contain SGS-THOMSON components. -0-

Note to Editors: Alta Group and SPW are trademarks of Alta Group. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics

David Cormie, 33-76-584227 or [e-mail]

or

Tsantes & Associates

Marlo Jones, 408/452-8700 or [e-mail]

http://www.altagroup.com/