Mentor Graphics Introduces High-Performance Memory Generators; UMC First Foundry to Take Advantage of New Technology.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 1999--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) today announced the availability of its new high-performance memory generators, the most area-efficient memory products of their type.

Consistent with the company's strategic thrust in design reuse technology, the Physical Libraries Division's Memory-Plus Libraries enable system-on-a-chip designers working with embedded memories to create smaller silicon chips, ultimately resulting in increased performance and reduced cost and power. Since more than 70 percent of today's chips contain embedded memories, and more than 50 percent of the silicon is devoted to implementing them, area-efficient designs are critical.

"Providing customers complete solutions for the system-on-a-chip challenge is a key initiative for Mentor Graphics," said Mick O'Brien, general manager for Inventra(tm) and Physical Libraries, Mentor Graphics. "Along with the industry's most comprehensive soft core library and design services, providing leading-edge physical libraries, tightly coupled to the world's leading foundries, is a cornerstone of that solution. UMC Group's 0.25 um process is one of the leading processes in the foundry industry, and their aggressive 6.38 um2 SRAM bit cell design, combined with our memory generators, has resulted in an extremely high-performance solution for foundry customers."

The Memory-Plus Libraries are parameterized memory generators (SRAM and DPRAM) targeted specifically at developing high-speed deep submicron applications without compromising area efficiency or power consumption. The SRAM design achieves a typical performance of greater than 700 MHz at the 0.25 um level.

The Memory-Plus Libraries are based on Mentor Graphics' industry-leading Memory Builder(tm)and Memory Model Builder(tm) memory generation technologies, which allow designers to efficiently explore physical design options rather than requiring the use of one-shot instances, thereby saving designers time and money.

In addition to increased performance, cost savings and reduced power, the Memory-Plus Libraries, coupled with Memory Builder, offer customers a design environment unavailable from any other memory provider. Developers have the option to access the design database, including layout, design schematic and critical path, which enables them to customize these libraries to meet any special requirements.

The Memory-Plus high-performance generators can be ported or customized to the technology or foundry of the customer's choice. SRAM and DPRAM memory generators are immediately available in UMC's 0.25 um process technology.

"UMC Group is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Mentor Graphics that supports their Memory-Plus Libraries," stated Dr. Jim Ballingall, vice president of worldwide marketing, UMC Group (USA). "Mentor Graphics has established itself as a leader in memory generators, and is well known as a technical innovator. With our customers continually pushing for faster and smaller memories, Mentor Graphics' new libraries allow us to provide our customers the fastest memories possible at 0.25 um. This is truly a winning combination for our customers."

In addition to the Memory-Plus Libraries, UMC has chosen Mentor Graphics Calibre(R) product, the leading deep submicron physical verification tool, as its "golden sign-off" verification tool for their deep submicron processes. The Calibre product was used in the development of the Memory-Plus Libraries' SRAM and DPRAM memory generators in UMC's .25 um process technology.

Pricing and availability

The SRAM and DPRAM memory generators in UMC's .25 um process technology are available immediately, free-of-charge, to UMC foundry customers by contacting UMC or any Mentor Graphics sales office. Office locations can be found at www.mentor.com or by calling 800/547-3000 or 503/685-7000. The Memory-Plus high-performance memory architecture starts at $400,000 US and can be ported or customized to the technology or foundry of the customer's choice.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products and consulting services for the world's largest electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of $468 million and employs approximately 2,500 people worldwide. Company headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. Worldwide Web site at www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics and Calibre are registered trademarks and Inventra, Memory Builder and Memory Model Builder are trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other products or trade names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.