Altera Redefines Programmable Logic Development Tool Business Model.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2000

Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) today inked separate deals with Synopsys Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) and Mentor Graphics Corp. (Nasdaq: MENT) that will enable its entire customer base to access the premier development tool technologies in the programmable logic market. Through these partnerships, Altera has redefined the traditional business model for programmable logic development tool deployment and has enhanced its strategy to offer the industry's best and most comprehensive development tool value.

"It is clear that synthesis tools developed by independent EDA tool vendors consistently provide best-in-class results, delivering significantly better performance than proprietary tools," said Erik Cleage, Altera senior vice president of marketing. "This trend will continue as the complexity, size, and performance of PLD devices expands. Similarly, behavioral simulation is important in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) design, and Mentor Graphics is the simulation supplier of choice for these designs."

Altera has a long history of leadership in the programmable logic software business, and was the first company to switch exclusively to a subscription model for the purchasing of software, as well as the first company to provide its high-end software through its e-commerce Internet site, The Programmable e-Store. Through these new partnerships with leading electronic design automation vendors, Altera is now providing its subscription customers with the choice of top-end synthesis and simulation tools.

"Our software strategy is to bring the benefits of world-class tools to the high-end designer, while simultaneously allowing customers across the board to evolve their methodology to one that is consistent, using the latest design techniques," stated David Greenfield, Altera director of development tools marketing. "Customers will see further value by virtue of their exposure to the full array of products and services from Mentor Graphics and Synopsys."

Freedom of Choice

Altera believes that it is important to provide engineers with a choice of synthesis tools, as designers have tool preferences based on experience, features, or the quality of results offered by the tools. Under terms of these agreements, Altera will provide its customers with a choice of either Synopsys FPGA Express(TM) or Mentor Graphics' LeonardoSpectrum(TM) as their synthesis tool-of-choice for high-level design. FPGA Express is a powerful VHDL and Verilog HDL synthesis tool designed for high-density programmable logic with an easy-to-use, push-button user interface. LeonardoSpectrum is a powerful VHDL and Verilog HDL synthesis tool that combines push-button ease of use with the control and optimization features associated with workstation-based ASIC tools.

Altera will also provide Mentor Graphics' VHDL and Verilog HDL simulation tool, ModelSim(TM). ModelSim delivers leading simulator performance, freedom to simulate VHDL or Verilog HDL, behavioral simulation capability, test bench support, and Tcl scripting functionality, all critical requirements for engineers entering the realm of SOPC design.

Pricing and Availability

These single-vendor versions of the synthesis and simulation tools will be fully integrated into Altera's Quartus(TM) and MAX+PLUS(R) II development tool products, creating a complete high-level design environment. The Synopsys and Mentor Graphics tools will be available in March 2000 with new subscriptions and will be sent as an upgrade shipment to existing customers on active subscription. At $2000 for a single-user, PC-based license and $2995 for a UNIX-based floating-node license, an annual subscription entitles a customer to receive the latest version of Altera's MAX+PLUS II and Quartus development tools, as well as all software updates for twelve months. New or existing customers may obtain a software subscription at the Programmable eStore on the Altera web site, http://www.altera.com or from Altera distributors worldwide.

About Altera

Altera Corporation, The Programmable Solutions Company(TM), was founded in 1983 and is a leading supplier of programmable logic devices and associated logic development software tools. Programmable logic devices are semiconductor chips that can be programmed on-site, using software tools that run on personal computers or engineering workstations. User benefits include ease of use, lower risk, and fast time-to-market. Altera's CMOS-based programmable logic devices address high-speed, high-density and low-power applications in the telecommunications, data communications, computer peripheral, and industrial markets. Altera common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ALTR. More information on Altera can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.altera.com.

Note to Editors: Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, Quartus, MAX+PLUS, and specific device designations are trademarks and/or service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.