Chip Express and Exemplar Logic target ASIC and high-end FPGA users on Windows.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 1997--Chip Express Corporation and Exemplar Logic, the world's number one FPGA synthesis supplier, today announced the availability of new libraries for Chip Express' CX2000/1 LPGA (Laser Programmable Gate Array) family for Exemplar's logic synthesis environment, Leonardo.

Leonardo's support of the Windows design platform enables Chip Express to go beyond serving the traditional UNIX workstation user by offering the latest 0.6u, 3LM LPGA family to a broader base of gate array and FPGA users that depend upon PC design tools and have high performance requirements.

The CX2000/1 LPGA family allows designers with up to 200,000 logic gates and up to 128K bits of SRAM to be transferred from layout into silicon in a single day. Like masked programmed gate arrays, LPGAs are fabricated with a standard CMOS process and use a simple metal-to-metal interconnect structure. This process enables the LPGAs to provide the same high performance and cost benefits as masked programmed gate arrays. The unique capability to personalize gate arrays a single-die or single-wafer at a time allows Chip Express to avoid long lead times of traditional fabs and gives users quick access to any volume of prototypes or production.

"Working with Exemplar Logic, one of the world's leader in synthesis, is one of the first steps in our strategy to make our LPGAs more accessible and affordable to high-density FPGA PC tool users that need higher levels of performance and lower production costs," said Chip Express FPGA-market program director, Bob Sandler. "The CX LPGA family is a compelling alternative to the traditional high-density FPGAs when speed and production costs are critical to product success. We will follow shortly with more LPGA product announcements targeted to the high-density FPGA market."

"Adding Chip Express' high-performance CX LPGA family to our Leonardo synthesis environment provides our customers with a new cost effective option to get masked gate-array level performance along with Chip Express' rapid prototyping and one-week production deliveries," noted Bob Barker, Vice President of Marketing at Exemplar.

Performance Comparison of LPGAs and FPGAs

The dominant factor affecting performance in FPGAs is the interconnect delay. The lower performance of FPGAs compared with the masked gate array results from the pass transistor or anti-fuse link that is placed in the direct path of the signal. In contrast, LPGAs consist of a full array of pre-fabricated pure metal-to-metal interconnections with low capacitance and resistance. These direct metal connections enable the LPGA device to offer performance levels equivalent to conventional masked gate arrays.

Successful Chip Express designs using Exemplar

Many independent design houses that specialize in FPGA designs use the complete Exemplar Logic high-level design solution for logic synthesis, simulation and static timing. According to one design manager, "We successfully completed a design using Chip Express' new CX libraries and Exemplar's Leonardo for synthesis. We were extremely pleased with the reliability of the tools and the support."

Availability

Chip Express CX2001 libraries for Exemplar Leonardo and Model Technology's V-System simulator are now available at no charge on the Chip Express web site: www.chipexpress.com .

Chip Express Corporation is the world leader in "Time-to-Market Solution" for high-performance, high-density ASIC devices. Chip Express provides the industry's fastest-turn ASIC products including a one day gate array prototyping service utilizing the QuICk laser micro-machining system; one week flexible production utilizing its' innovative OneMask process to personalize a single wafer at a time; and a smooth transition to its TwoMask technology process for cost competitive high volume production in as short as one month.

Chip Express is a privately held corporation, founded in the United States in 1989. From its headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Chip Express services leading-edge computer, communications, military and consumer companies worldwide including Apple Computer, Hewlett Packard, Intel, 3Com, Cisco Systems, Bay Networks, Lockheed Martin, Hughes Aircraft, and National Semiconductor.

Exemplar Logic, Inc. pioneered applying logic synthesis techniques to the design of FPGAs and ASICs. The company was founded 10 years ago. It develops and markets EDA software tools, and is the world's leading FPGA synthesis tool supplier. Exemplar's products are sold and supported worldwide by Exemplar Logic, its OEMs and VARs, and Mentor Graphics.

For information on Exemplar's products, contact Exemplar by calling 800/632-3742 or 510/337-3700, by faxing us at 510-337-3799 (Fax), or emailing to us at [e-mail], or by visiting the Exemplar Web site: http://www.exemplar.com/ . Exemplar Logic is located at 815 Atlantic Ave., Suite 105, Alameda, CA 94501-2274.

Exemplar Logic is an independent subsidiary and Synthesis Center of Expertise for Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ:MENT).

About Exemplar's Leonardo

Leonardo combines hierarchical synthesis, sophisticated timing analysis, and accelerated timing simulation with an interactive user interface. It uses VITAL libraries and Verilog and VHDL simulators from Model Technology to provide an interactive design environment. Leonardo supports Verilog HDL and VHDL design environments and accepts netlist inputs for retargeting. Leonardo is available for Windows 95, NT, Sun, HP, and Linux in node-locked and networked/server environments. Prices for Leonardo start at $14,990 (US). -0-

Note to Editors: Graphic of design flow available. Leonardo is a trademark of Exemplar Logic, Inc.

All trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies. The graphic and available text of this release as well as additional background information may be downloaded from our website at http://www.chipexpress.com .

Acronyms: ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array HDL: Hardware Description Language IC: Integrated Circuit LPGA: Laser Programmable Gate Array SRAM: Static Random Access Memory VITAL: VHDL Initiative Towards ASIC Libraries VHDL: VHSIC (Very High-Speed IC) HDL

CONTACT: Chip Express

Bob Sandler, 408/235-7348

[e-mail]

www.chipexpress.com

or

Exemplar Logic

Georgia Marsalek, 415/345-7477

[e-mail]

www.exemplar.com