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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2001--Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), the technology leader for complex IC design, today announced that ARM (LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY), the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, has incorporated PathMill® Plus in their reference design flow for custom cores. As a result, ARM now has a transistor-level characterization and static timing analysis platform for internal use that helps speed next-generation system-on-chip (SoC) design.

ARM® cores are embedded in the processors that drive many of today's most innovative applications. ARM's Partners shipped more than 400 million units of ARM core-based SoCs in 2000 alone, for use in automotive, consumer entertainment, imaging, networking, mass storage, and wireless devices. As an enabling technology for ARM's transistor-level characterization and static timing analysis, PathMill Plus plays a key role in rapid modeling and re-use of ARM cores for these leading SoC designs.

``We worked with Synopsys to develop a transistor-level intellectual property (IP) characterization and analysis platform after successes with Synopsys' transistor-level solution for static timing analysis, PathMill, and the result was PathMill Plus,'' said Simon Bates, Design Assurance manager at ARM. ``We incorporated PathMill Plus in our design flow to develop our ARM7(TM), ARM9(TM), and ARM10(TM) families of microprocessor cores because it is easy to use and offers the capacity to verify multimillion-transistor IP blocks with SPICE-level accuracy.''

PathMill Plus has the unique ability to both verify and characterize complex cores. It offers automated merging to combine models characterized at different functional modes. It is able to quickly produce an accurate timing model (.lib) file that integrates seamlessly with Synopsys' PrimeTime® for full-chip static timing analysis of SoCs.

``Synopsys and ARM are today engaged in a number of strategic projects,'' said Bijan Kiani, vice president of marketing, Synopsys' Nanometer Analysis and Test Group. ``We are pleased that our partnership with ARM has enabled us to leverage our expertise in static timing and modeling technologies to deliver a custom transistor-level characterization environment based on PathMill Plus.''

About Synopsys PathMill and PathMill Plus

PathMill is the de facto standard for transistor-level static-timing analysis of complex microprocessor and DSP chips. PathMill supports domino logic, special circuit topologies and provides accurate timing analysis for custom blocks to within five percent of SPICE. PathMill can also generate an accurate timing model for PrimeTime. This integration enables hierarchical static timing analysis that accelerates timing closure for SoC designs. Developed specifically for the exchange and reuse of hard IP between the IP provider and end user, PathMill Plus combines industry-proven static timing analysis with core characterization. With automatic model generation, analysis and mode handling, PathMill Plus offers IP developers and integrators the flexibility to characterize multiple functional modes ensuring complete coverage while meeting time-to-market goals.

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.

Note to Editors: Synopsys, PrimeTime and PathMill are registered trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM7, ARM9 and ARM10 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.; ARM Taiwan; and ARM France SAS.

     Synopsys, Inc., Mountain View
     Nancy Renzullo, 650/584-1669
     renzullo@synopsys.com
            or
     KVO Public Relations
     Christina Castillo, 503/221-2355
     christina_castillo@kvo.com