Synopsys and Motorola Join Forces to Promote IC Design Technology Education in Latin America; ISTEC Program Adds EDA Focus to University Training.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

CANCUN, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2000

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), the technology leader for complex IC design, today announced it is granting licenses of its Electronic Design Automation software (EDA) to institutions of higher education in Latin America to help advance technology education in the region. Through its University Program, Synopsys is teaming with Motorola and the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC) to provide scientific, engineering and technology education to more than 60 Latin American universities. The grant was announced at the Third IEEE International Caracas Conference on Devices, Circuits and Systems (ICCDCS) in Mexico.

Last year, Motorola granted licenses for its state-of-the-art, low-power M.CORE, microprocessor core, along with the Semiconductor Reuse Standards the company has developed for SoC design. This year, Synopsys is joining Motorola in this effort by granting licenses for its industry-leading products and solutions, including ASIC and FPGA synthesis, system verification and analysis tools, simulation models, and static verification tools. The value of the grant is estimated at US $25 million. The agreement was signed today in a ceremony during the ICCDCS conference.

"Working together with Synopsys we are integrating some of the world's most advanced IC design technologies into a comprehensive solution for technology education in Latin America," said Dr. Andreas Wild, chief scientist and director of engineering, Latin America and Caribbean Region, Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector. "Students will have access to technologies used in the development of the newest electronic products in the world."

"Through this joint effort, Latin American universities will have increased access to advanced technologies to foster hands-on education and academic research. This will facilitate further scientific and technological progress in their countries," said Sylvia Nessan, director of worldwide corporate and community affairs at Synopsys. "Scientific and technological knowledge is a keystone for economic growth and social development in the 21st century."

"Synopsys' grant will enable ISTEC to disseminate state-of-the-art technology to over 60 academic institutions and research centers in Latin America, said Dr. Ramiro Jordan, executive director of the Ibero-American Science Technology Education Consortium. "The generous contribution of both Motorola and Synopsys is enabling ISTEC to actualize its fundamental goals of bringing innovative solutions to reduce the technology gap in the region."

About ISTEC

ISTEC is a non-profit organization comprised of educational, research and industrial institutions throughout the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula. The Consortium has been established to foster scientific, engineering and technology education, joint international research and development efforts among its members, and to provide a cost-effective vehicle for the application and transfer of technology. Currently, ISTEC has more than 70 members from academia and industry. Institutional members, include the United Nations, Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank. For more information, please visit ISTEC web page at: www.ISTEC.org.

About Motorola

As the world's number one producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigtialDNA(TM) technologies which enable its customers to create "smart" products and new business opportunities in the networking and computing, wireless communications, transportation and imaging and entertainment markets. Semiconductor sales totaled US $7.4 billion in 1999. Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions, employing approximately 129,000 people worldwide. Corporate sales in 1999 were US $30.9 billion.

About Synopsys' University Program

Synopsys is committed to providing both the technology and the educational tools to meet the difficult challenges of IC design. Through the University Program, established in 1986, Synopsys provides EDA software to over 450 schools worldwide for teaching and academic research. Additional information about the Synopsys University Program can be found at http://www.synopsys.com/partners/university.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) is a leading supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions to the global electronics 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.

Note to Editors: Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.