Denali Announces New I/O Solution for High-Speed Memory Data Transmission; TriCN Partnership Provides Key I/O Technology for Databahn-Based Memory Systems.

Business/Technology Editors

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001

Denali Software, Inc., the leader in high-performance memory subsystem design and verification, today announced it has partnered with TriCN, a leading supplier of application-specific I/O technology, to deliver high-speed SSTL-2 I/O pads optimized for Denali's Databahn(TM) configurable memory processor technology.

The high-speed I/O pad solution from TriCN is designed for new high-speed memory systems required in networking applications, such as routing and switching, as well as other high data-bandwidth applications including computing and consumer electronics.

"Physical implementation is a critical piece of the puzzle for high-performance memory system design," affirms Kevin Silver, vice president of marketing for Denali Software. "Working with TriCN gives us the ability to address this issue and provide the highest quality I/O solution for our Databahn customers."

Ever increasing amounts of data are being transmitted over networks, switched, and processed by computing equipment. The required increase in data transmission speeds to satisfy these demands also introduces increased sensitivity to electrical noise, greatly affecting system performance. One of the most troublesome areas lies at the system's interface to memory. Designers struggle to manage the signal integrity issues associated with high-bandwidth communications to external memory components such as Double-Data-Rate SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM), which now regularly exceed 600MHz data transfer rates. The problem is further complicated by the fact that most I/O pads are not designed with the specific constraints of the system, forcing engineers to spend additional time to implement and tune them for their application.

Denali's solution combines Denali's Databahn memory processor with TriCN's SSTL-2 I/O pads. Pads are Application Specific I/Os, pre-qualified against a full range of printed circuit board (PCB) impedance, PCB route symmetry, terminator tolerance, and topology for a given operating frequency and memory size. To ensure optimal and reliable performance, the SSTL-2 I/O pads are packaged with signal integrity and timing analysis and a complete set of design references specifically for use with Denali's Databahn memory processor.

"We are very excited about formalizing our relationship with Denali because it offers customers a complete solution," says Ron Nikel, TriCN's founder and chief technology officer (CTO). "By providing signal integrity, timing analyses, and reference design rules with the TriCN SSTL-2 I/O pads, customers gain two key benefits: maximum speed/reliability for the system-level interface and a tremendous savings in overall development time."

Pricing and Availability

The I/O pad solution is available immediately from Denali Software. Pricing starts at $150,000 U.S. list, and depends upon clock speed and process technology.

Contact Kevin Silver for more details. He can be reached via at [phone], Ext, 230 or via email at [e-mail].

About Databahn

Databahn is the industry's first configurable memory processor. With Databahn, designers can configure the performance of their memory subsystem based on the type of memory components used and memory access characteristics of their system. Databahn's online configuration environment enables designers to explore design tradeoffs, analyze product performance, and evaluate memory architectures early in the design cycle.

To ensure compatibility with all the latest DRAM memory technologies, Databahn's online configuration process is tightly integrated with a database of more than 3000 memory components at www.eMemory.com. Designers also use the web-based interface to automatically generate and export the synthesizable IP and related verification IP for their particular design and verification environment. Denali partnered with key customers and semiconductor memory vendors to develop Databahn. As a result, Databahn is a highly integrated, market-focused solution for high-performance memory subsystems.

About Denali Software, Inc.

Denali Software Inc. is the world's largest provider of comprehensive solutions for memory system selection, design, integration, and verification. Denali enables memory selection and memory processor configuration through its dedicated online infrastructure at eMemory.com. More than 400 companies worldwide use Denali's tools, technology, and services to efficiently integrate new memory technologies into complex system designs for communication, consumer, and computer products. For more information, contact Denali at http://www.denalisoft.com or call [phone].

About TriCN

TriCN (tri-see-n) specializes in high-performance interface IP, supported by signal integrity, circuit design, and system electrical packaging and integration. TriCN has created a family of Application-Specific I/Os (ASI/O), which increases speed and data transmission for a broad range of interfaces and applications. These I/Os are validated and complete interfaces, refined to meet the particular needs of these applications. This approach saves valuable IC and system development time and cost. Formed in 1997, clients for TriCN's products and services include Philips Semiconductor (NYSE:PHG), Silicon Graphics (NYSE: SGI) MIPS Technology (NASDAQ:MIPS) Terawave Communications, and over 50 other companies. For more information about TriCN, please visit www.tricn.com

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