Initial Ballot to Make e Language an IEEE Standard Passes Overwhelmingly; Vote for IEEE P1647 Draws Nearly 100% Support; e Language Continues Accelerated Path toward Final Standardization on March 28.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDNS) today announced that the IEEE sponsor ballot for P1647 e standardization passed overwhelmingly, paving the way for ratification in March.

The ballot by the sponsors of the proposed standard closed Oct. 27 with 55 votes supporting the proposal, no opposing votes and one abstention. Editorial comments will now be addressed and the ballot will be recirculated for final ballot approval before it is submitted to the IEEE-SA RevCom for ratification March 28.

The balloting group represented more than 12 companies and five universities, with participants possessing a wide range of expertise. There was strong geographic support for the ballot, with representation across North America, Europe and fast-growing technology centers in Eastern Europe.

Cadence supported the measure in response to user demand for a proven, standard verification language. The e language is an extremely powerful and mature system-level verification language that is in use today by an overwhelming majority of industry leaders in consumer electronics, telecommunications, semiconductors and IP. By standardizing the language within IEEE and opening it up to development, customers will benefit as a burgeoning marketplace of new e-based tools joins market-leading products like Cadence Specman Elite(R), which has been used to verify thousands of designs. These complementary technologies will move to market faster because of the openness and stability provided by an IEEE-approved standard.

"The standardization of e is an important milestone for us," said Cristian Amitroaie, founder of AMIQ Consulting. "We are the first provider of an e parser, in addition to services and tools for the e language. Stability and recognition afforded by the IEEE standardization acts as a catalyst to broaden our market opportunities. We invested in the e parser to speed-up the development of e-related design automation tools in the context of an established standard. We expect this investment to show its value."

"As a leader in the development of verification IP and methodologies, we are very pleased to see the rapid progress made by the P1647 in the standardization of the e language," said Stylianos Diamantidis, managing director of Globetech Solutions. "Our customer base has long appreciated the value of e and e-based methodologies for solving the most difficult verification problems. Now with e becoming an IEEE standard they are assured of a long and stable future for the IP and methodologies that they have invested in."

"Cadence is extremely happy with the strong show of support for the e standard," said Victor Berman, director of Language Standards at Cadence. "The diligent effort of the working group has resulted in a draft standard of the highest quality, and the ballot group showed its understanding of this quality by its overwhelming endorsement. We would like to thank them for their efforts."

For more information visit www.ieee1647.org.

About Cadence

Cadence enables global electronic-design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software and hardware, methodologies, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, printed-circuit boards and systems used in consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. Cadence reported 2004 revenues of approximately $1.2 billion, and has approximately 5,000 employees. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available at www.cadence.com.

Cadence, the Cadence logo and Specman Elite are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.