Synopsys and ARM Partner in Hardware/Software Tools Support for Full Range of ARM Architectures.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--Synopsys Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) and ARM (ARM Holdings plc -LSE:ARM; NASDAQ:ARMHY) announced today that under terms of an agreement, designers using any ARM(R) processor will be able to take advantage of the design quality and time-to-market benefits of hardware/software co-verification using Synopsys' high-performance Eagle(TM) hardware/software co-verification environment.

Under this relationship supported processors include the popular ARM7(TM) and the ARM9(TM) cores. This agreement further enhances the ARM EDA Partnership Program, which aims to empower system-on-a-chip (SoC) designers with faster, more accurate tools for high integration with ARM7 and ARM9 cores.

The processor model is the critical element in creating the virtual prototype for hardware/software co-verification. Under terms of the agreement, Synopsys will have access to ARM models both in released and beta forms. This early model access should make it possible for Synopsys to deliver ARM-based hardware/software solutions at the earliest possible stage in the processor life cycle, giving customers a jump start in their design project.

The rapid increase in IC complexity--particularly the emergence of systems-on-a-chip design--has resulted in the design verification process consuming more than half of the total design cycle. Effective verification of these complex systems is accomplished by moving to a high-level functional verification methodology that includes an "RTL virtual prototype" of the design, together with a testbench which accurately depicts the system environment. The combination of Synopsys' Eagle tools and the ARM processor models makes it possible to efficiently verify even the most complex ARM-based designs by eliminating the physical prototype as the barrier to system integration. The Eagle tools have been proven on very complex, multimillion gate, multiple processor designs, with users typically reporting 20 percent reductions in design cycle time. The small die size and high performance of the ARM cores are proving to be ideal for engineers designing next generation high-complexity SoC solutions.

"Our customers are searching for a methodology to fully and efficiently verify their complex embedded designs," said Alistair Greenhill, EDA business manager for ARM. "The ARM EDA Partnership Program is geared to assisting in this search and there is no question that hardware/software co-verification offers tremendous design cycle reductions and product quality improvements. Our agreement with Synopsys ensures that our customers will be able to take advantage of this powerful methodology no matter which ARM processor they choose for their design."

While other hardware/software tools typically use a single processor model -- typically an instruction set (ISS) model -- throughout the design flow, Synopsys' unique approach to co-verification offers up to four different types of models, each with the appropriate level of abstraction for a particular design step, ranging from early post-partitioning trade-offs through physical prototype. Eagle offers Link models for early ASIC verification, ISS models for target-based co-verification, TAP(TM) models, which use the actual processor in place of the ISS for "silicon accurate" target-based verification and Live Target(TM) support for evaluation/target board-based simulations.

Open Architecture Supports All Popular Tools

The open Eagle architecture ensures that the new ARM models will be available to designers using the widest available range of software development tools, real time operating systems and hardware design tools including cycle-based simulators and emulators -- with minimal changes in development methodology -- while still gaining the advantages of hardware/software co-verification.

"Perhaps the most significant barrier to the adoption of hardware/software co-verification has been a concern among design teams that they will have to abandon their familiar design tools and methodology or make other compromises in how they design," said David Park, Synopsys co-verification product marketing manager. "This agreement gives ARM users the most open and flexible hardware/software co-verification solution available. Not only does Eagle offer unequalled support for their current design environment, but it also makes this powerful methodology available to them -- for the first time -- no matter which ARM architecture they select."

The Eagle hardware/software co-verification tools are part of a powerful suite of Synopsys high-level verification products and services which also includes the industry's fastest Verilog and VHDL simulators, a comprehensive range of proven IP models for simulation, and the VERA testbench automation and analysis products to help designers meet the challenges of complex system verification.

For more information on the Eagle tools, visit the worldwide web at: http://www.synopsys.com/product/hwsw/eagle_ds.html contact your local Synopsys representative, email [e-mail], or phone [phone].

About ARM

ARM, a leading intellectual property (IP) provider, licenses high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multi-media and embedded solutions. ARM serves its growing partnership base from offices in Cambridge and Maidenhead, UK; Los Gatos, California; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Westborough, MA, USA; Paris, France; Munich, Germany; Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Korea. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

Synopsys Inc.

Synopsys Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), is a leading supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions to the global electronic market. The company provides comprehensive design technologies to creators of advanced integrated circuits, electronic systems and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting services and support to its customers to streamline the overall design process and accelerate time-to-market. Additional information about Synopsys is available at http://www.synopsys.com.

Synopsys and the Synopsys logo are registered trademarks, Eagle and Live Target are trademarks of Synopsys, Inc.

ARM, Thumb, StrongARM and ARM Powered are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. ARM 7 and ARM 9 are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

"ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE:ARM and NASDAQ:ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.