Cadence Design Systems and Silicon Metrics Partner on Nanometer Delay Models.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2003

EDA Vendors Jointly Develop Extensions to Liberty Format for

Current-Based Cell Models (ECSM)

Cadence Design Systems Inc. and Silicon Metrics today announced development of nanometer-ready delay models based on extensions to the Liberty(tm) model format. The effective current source models (ECSM) can be created by Silicon Metrics' SiliconSmart(tm) library characterization tool and used by Cadence's nanometer delay calculator SignalStorm(tm), the common delay calculation engine of the Cadence(R) Encounter(tm) platform. This announcement is the result of close cooperation between the two companies in establishing the characterization requirements, model format definitions, and model qualification.

ECSM models have been shown in customer tests to provide superior accuracy, often within 2% of SPICE models, and are particularly well suited to modeling the voltage (IR) drop impact on delay that has a major influence on timing at 180 nanometers and below. When used by SignalStorm in conjunction with VoltageStorm(tm) IR drop analysis and CeltIC(tm) crosstalk analysis, ECSM models provide the cornerstone of Cadence's electrical signoff flow.

Until now, creating ECSM models required a separate timing characterization process and a binary format. By extending the Liberty format, Cadence and Silicon Metrics have unified timing characterization into a single step and a single format that can support both table lookup models and the advanced ECSM models. Customers can now utilize the power of ECSM models while maintaining a consistent set of timing views. Furthermore, tools that do not support ECSM models will be able to read and ignore the ECSM extensions without requiring any upgrades.

"As the industry transitions to finer process technologies, the complexities of design and the requirement for delay analysis are increasing dramatically," said Vess Johnson, president and CEO of Silicon Metrics. "Successful design teams have recognized that the accuracy of the characterization and models used during timing analysis have a direct impact on the quality of their design, the number of design iterations, and time to market."

"The accuracy of any analysis tool is only as good as the quality of the models they consume; therefore, a key component of the design team's success in performing nanometer signoff is the availability of accurate delay models," said Ping Chao, senior vice president and general manager, Chip Implementation at Cadence. "By providing SPICE-qualified ECSM models, Silicon Metrics' SiliconSmart characterization and modeling technology becomes an integral part of the Cadence design flow."

About Cadence Design Systems

Cadence is the world's leader in electronic design technologies, methodology services, and design services. Cadence solutions are used to accelerate and manage the design of semiconductors, computer systems, networking and telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, and a variety of other electronics-based products. With approximately 5,200 employees and 2002 revenues of approximately $1.3 billion, Cadence has sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CDN. More information about the company, its products and services is available at www.cadence.com.

About Silicon Metrics Corporation

Silicon Metrics' characterization and modeling products allow customers to shorten design cycles and improve chip performance by creating best-in-class models that combine silicon predictability with designer productivity. Silicon Metrics has offices in Austin, Texas, and San Jose, California. Silicon Metrics is represented by Advinno in Singapore and Malaysia, Maojet in Taiwan, Marubeni Solutions in Japan, MM Solutions in Europe and Israel, NewPlus in China, and Tritech Systems in Korea. Company investors include Austin Ventures, Needham Capital Partners, Current Ventures, and Cadence Design Systems Inc. (NYSE:CDN). For more information, visit Silicon Metrics online at http://www.siliconmetrics.com.

Silicon Metrics, SiliconSmart , and the Silicon Metrics logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Silicon Metrics Corporation. Cadence and the Cadence logo are registered trademark and SignalStorm, VoltageStorm, Encounter and CeltIC are trademarks of Cadence Design Systems Inc. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.