Oki Electric and Synopsys to Develop Advanced Design-for-Test Methodologies to Reduce Test Time and Improve Test Efficiency.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 2001

Synopsys' Test Methodology Consulting Group Assists Oki in Joint

Project to Link Design for Test and ATE Environments

Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., (Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section:6703), and Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), today announced the start of a joint project aimed at reducing the test time on LSI (large scale integration) systems by half. Under this agreement, Synopsys' Test Methodology Consulting Group and Oki's Silicon Solutions Company will develop design methodologies to optimize a chip's test logic by linking Synopsys' design for testability (DFT) tools to Oki's LSI testers, and integrating them within Oki's design environment for system LSI. This will facilitate Oki's design of test logic for specific tester characteristics, resulting in significant drops in the LSI test time.

Both Oki Electric and Synopsys understand that today's DFT methodologies must evolve rapidly for the successful development of system LSI. Oki needs to solve the test challenges arising from shrinking process geometries, increasing design complexities and ever-higher pin counts on system-on-chip (SoC) devices. Failing to approach these test challenges with a disciplined perspective may lead to drastic increases in design cycles and test times, and the strong possibility that engineers will be forced to rely on expensive testers, causing the cost of testing a device to become prohibitive. This agreement will help Oki Electric to continue to provide the most advanced system LSIs to complement their current and future business strategies.

"This strategic project positions Oki and Synopsys at the forefront of SoC development where design and test must be linked," said Nobuo Hoshi, general manager, Design and Product Engineering, logic LSI Division at Oki Electric's Silicon Solutions Company. "Through collaboration with Synopsys on this project, we aim to shatter the wall between design and test and provide the market with huge benefits in time-to-market and improved quality of results."

"Synopsys continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving efforts that simultaneously improve the quality and cost of test, while reducing our customers' time to market," said Antun Domic, senior vice president and general manager of Synopsys' Nanometer Analysis and Test business unit. "We are extremely pleased that Oki sees value in our endeavors and we look forward to working together on solutions that not only benefit this leading semiconductor supplier, but ultimately our common customers."

About Oki Electric Silicon Solutions Company

Oki Electric Silicon Solutions Company is the semiconductor division of Oki Electric providing total silicon solution to the digital communications market. The company established a unique SPA concept as its system LSI design methodology and promptly brings to market the most advanced system LSI. Its major product offerings include ADPCM-CODEC, speech LSIs, Bluetooth LSIs, automobile LSIs and system memories.

Synopsys' Versatile Test Solutions

Synopsys, the leading supplier of IC test automation solutions, offers a complete line of integrated products and services to meet the most demanding manufacturing test requirements. The company's award-winning design-for-test offering includes the advanced TetraMAX(R) ATPG and DFT Compiler tools. TetraMAX complements scan-based test methodologies by providing industry leading ATPG performance, capacity and ease of use. DFT Compiler incorporates the latest generation of Synopsys' patented 1-Pass test synthesis technology and enables design teams to efficiently meet their DFT closure goals. Complementing these products, Synopsys offers comprehensive test services delivered by a world-class team of DFT experts.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), headquartered in Mountain View, California, creates leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools for the global electronics market. The company delivers advanced design technologies and solutions to developers of complex integrated circuits, electronic systems, and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting and support services to simplify the overall IC design process and accelerate time to market for its customers. Visit Synopsys at http://www.synopsys.com.

TetraMAX and Synopsys are registered trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.