SoftConnex and Mentor Graphics Collaborate to Provide USB Connectivity for the VRTX Real-Time Operating System.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT and SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2001

Combined solution enables System-on-Chip and traditional board-based

embedded systems to use SoftConnex's comprehensive host software

solution, USBLink, and Mentor Graphics' VRTX RTOS 

together for the first time

SoftConnex Technologies (SoftConnex) and Mentor Graphics Corp. (Nasdaq:MENT) today announced a technology collaboration that will integrate USBLink, SoftConnex's comprehensive Universal Serial Bus (USB) host software product, with the Mentor Graphics'(R) VRTX(R) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS). The comprehensive solution will enable OEMs using VRTX to support a wide variety of peripherals via the USB, such as MP3 players, digital still cameras, and printers.

The integrated solution provides developers an expandable serial interface that ensures a standard, low-cost socket for supporting low (1.5 Mbs), full (12 Mbs) and high-speed (480 Mbs) devices. It also provides developers with the option to use an embedded USB core, commonly found in SoCs, discreet Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI), Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI) or Enhanced Host Controller Interface (EHCI) host controllers or a range of discreet controllers with proprietary interfaces from companies such as OPTi, Philips Semiconductors, ScanLogic, and TransDimension.

"We are very pleased to bring the embedded systems community USBLink for VRTX," said Jim Gilbert, vice president of marketing and business development at SoftConnex. "The partnership between SoftConnex and Mentor Graphics further strengthens two leading embedded software products and will provide OEMs using VTRX with support for the widest selection of CPUs, host controllers and USB peripherals available on the market today."

"USBLink from SoftConnex extends our portfolio of connectivity options to VRTX users," said Mark Saunders, senior product marketing manager for the Mentor Graphics Embedded Software division. "USBLink complements our overall SoC strategy, including Inventra(TM) Intellectual Property (IP), enabling both companies to provide a joint solution that simplifies the product development process and reduces time to market for our mutual valued customers."

The VRTX Real-Time Operating System provides an advanced, high-performance, modular solution for SoC and traditional board-based embedded systems. With support for a wide range of target processors and embeddable cores, VRTX leads the industry in reliability, memory efficiency, real-time performance and advanced software development tools. As a testament to its reliability, VRTX is the only commercially available solution to have been used in applications certified to the FAA's DO-178B level A. VRTX is a comprehensive, multi-tasking RTOS that scales to meet OEM's memory and functionality requirements, and is used to accelerate time-to-market for a wide variety of applications incorporating ARM, MIPS, PowerPC and other embedded RISC processors.

SoftConnex's USBLink supports USB 1.1 and 2.0 host controllers and provides a framework for developing class modules to support USB devices. This framework allows either class modules to manage USB device configuration or the USB stack to perform the necessary configuration, initialization of interface(s) and allocation of USB data pipes or endpoints. USBLink supports simple topologies with one USB device attached to the root hub, as well as complex topologies including cascading USB hubs and several different USB devices. USBLink pricing starts at $25,000 for source code and limited run-time quantities.

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 most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of more than $600 million and employs approximately 2,850 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

About SoftConnex

SoftConnex Technologies, Inc. is a privately held company based in Fremont, CA that delivers the most complete USB host solution for the embedded market. The company's flagship product, USBLink, provides the broadest platform support and most comprehensive collection of class drivers currently available, as evidenced by its support for MP3 players, digital still and video cameras, printers, mass storage devices, audio and HID devices and ACM/ECM communication devices. For more information about SoftConnex and USBLink, please visit www.softconnex.com.

Note to Editors: Mentor Graphics and VRTX are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. Inventra is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks of their respective owners.