Cadence Takes Mixed-Language Simulation to Next Level; NC-Sim 3.3 Adds Coverage Analysis Code Coverage and Interactive Internet Training; Single Vendor Solution.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2001

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CDN), the world's leading supplier of electronic design products and services, today announced an upgrade to its flagship NC-Sim mixed-language simulators. Cadence(R) NC simulators now include the code coverage analysis functionality of NC-Cov and the interactive training courses of the Cadence Internet Learning Series (iLS). Building on its leadership in mixed-language simulation, Cadence is the first to provide a single-vendor solution in this important arena.

Integrating NC-Cov code coverage analysis into the simulators substantially increases performance while retaining a low overhead. Providing iLS helps NC-Sim users increase productivity by making interactive training available 24x7.

"We listened to our customers and added both NC-Cov and training to our simulators - an industry first," said Rahul Razdan, corporate vice president and general manager of Systems and Functional Verification at Cadence. "NC-Sim now comes with two critical tools -- NC-Cov for low overhead and high performance, and Cadence Internet training, a convenient and effective training solution. These enhancements further enable design teams to increase productivity early in the design cycle."

NC-Sim 3.3 also offers a number of other performance and usability enhancements. The fastest mixed-language simulator is now even faster for Verilog, VHDL, and mixed-language designs. Several new features add a new level of simplicity for mixed-language verification.

Memory usage has been dramatically reduced to support verification of larger designs using existing computing platforms. New language features have been added to support new IEEE standards like 1076.4-2000 and 1364-2001.

The NC-Sim family of simulators includes the powerful SimVision debug environment. SimVision supports the quick analysis and debug of simulation results and features an integrated array of debug tools including a source browser, waveform viewer, hierarchy browser, connectivity viewer, Tcl/Tk interface, and many others. NC-Cov is built directly into NC simulator products and requires no external interfacing. Traditional coverage tools decrease overall performance and add significant overhead to the simulation process because of the extra effort required by the coverage tool to monitor and record simulation behavior. Now the designer no longer has to make a choice between tracking code coverage or obtaining the highest simulation performance available: NC-Sim with integrated code coverage provides both. NC-Cov also has a powerful graphical analyzer to view coverage results and can help identify which parts of the design do not meet the coverage criteria.

"By providing a comprehensive Internet-based approach for NC-Sim training, we offer engineers the convenience of `anywhere, anytime' learning," said Bonnie Willoughby, group director of Cadence Education Services. The NC-Sim iLS courses augment productivity by providing on-demand modular training with downloadable labs and quizzes, search engines, and audio and auto-run capabilities.

Price and Availability

Available immediately, NC-Cov and the Cadence iLS courses are included with NC simulators (NC-Sim, NC-Verilog, and NC-VHDL) as a basic feature at no additional cost. For a complete list of Internet Learning Series courses and prices please refer to http://www.cadence.com/education.

About Cadence

Cadence is the largest supplier of electronic design automation products, methodology services, and design services 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 5,700 employees and 2000 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.

Cadence and the Cadence logo are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.