Cswitch Corporation Adopts Mentor Graphics 10 Gigabit Ethernet Media Access Controller for Innovative Configurable Switch Array Chip.

WILSONVILLE, Ore. -- Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT), a leader in standards-based semiconductor intellectual property (IP), today announced that Cswitch Corporation has selected the Mentor Graphics(R) 10 Gigabit Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) for its flagship Configurable Switch Array(TM) chip. The new chip is the first to combine the performance and density of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with the re-configurability and time to market of an field programmable gate array (FPGA). It is the first programmable chip to embed 10 Gigabit Ethernet MACs as standard cells in order to address high performance network markets such as routers, switches and SONET equipment.

"We selected Mentor Graphics since it's the industry leader for Ethernet MAC IP," stated Godrey D'Souza, Cswitch vice president of engineering. "Integrating Mentor's 10Gb MACs into our fully configurable chip, with its high performance network blocks and 2Ghz dataCrossconnect, ensures a platform that customers can quickly and easily develop applications that previously could only be done in ASICs or with multiple FPGAs."

Cswitch's Configurable Switch Array Chip was developed to specifically address the network market with a platform that was not hindered by the performance and low gate count densities of standard FPGAs. By embedding six Mentor 10Gb Ethernet MACs on the first Cswitch chip, designers have at their disposal over 60 Gbps of on chip bandwidth without using up any of the valuable programmable gates. Moreover, it now becomes possible for engineers to develop programmable solutions that range in size from 1 million to 7 million gates.

"The Cswitch Configurable Switch Array chip is an innovative technology and Mentor is proud to have been selected for its leading Ethernet MAC cores, which provide fast speed for a variety of different applications," stated Bill Martin, general manager of Mentor Graphics IP division. "We believe our expertise in providing reliable, standards-based, reusable IP solutions for key technologies, plus our reputation for outstanding service and support, serve key customers like Cswitch Corporation well."

Mentor Graphics is a Leader in the Communications IP Market

Mentor Graphics' intellectual property (IP) cores for ASIC and FPGA usage in telecom and networking systems were recently ranked as one of the top three (Mentor, Xilinx and ARM) leading IP suppliers in the world, according to Light Reading's Components Insider study (ASICs & FPGAs for Telecom Applications: A Buyer Study, Vol. 2, No. 3, July 2006). For more information on Mentor Graphics portfolio of standards-based IP technologies, go to www.mentor.com/ip.

About Cswitch Corporation

Founded in 2003, Cswitch is a privately held semiconductor company based in Santa Clara, CA. Cswitch develops high performing configurable solutions for the networking, storage, wireless base station and telecom markets and plans to release its first product later in 2006. For more information on Cswitch Corporation, visit www.cswitch.com.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of over $725 million and employs approximately 4,050 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.