Mentor Graphics Introduces the Fifth Generation VStation-30M Emulator

WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT - News) today announced the VStation-30M(TM) emulator, a high-performance verification solution for complex system design.

The VStation-30M is the company's fifth-generation emulator and is based on patented VirtualWires(TM) technology. The product will be marketed by the newly-formed Mentor Emulation Division (MED), which will develop and market Mentor's emulation products worldwide, including all products from the recently acquired IKOS Systems.

For single-chip and multi-chip designs that require the highest capacity, the VStation-30M provides up to 30-million usable ASIC gates at up to 2 MHz performance, at a lower cost per gate than previous generations. The VStation-30M provides 100% visibility of all signals at any time. The Mentor Graphics VStation-30M emulator will be showcased at the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in New Orleans, La., June 10-14, 2002.

"Our recent acquisition of IKOS establishes Mentor Graphics as the worldwide leader in emulation," said Eric Selosse, vice-president and general manager of the Mentor Emulation Division. "Mentor is committed to emulation and to continuing to support all of its customers and driving forward its entire product line. We will continue to innovate with products like the VStation-30M emulator."

The VStation-30M simplifies high-performance system verification with breakthrough co-modeling capabilities that are similar in use to familiar simulation models. The tool can be run in both targetless and in-circuit modes to ensure maximum productivity. Co-modeling delivers verification performance of up to 800 kHz with software models or testbenches running on a workstation. Current co-modeling products include a multi-channel transaction level interface (MCT), a pin- and cycle-accurate interface (PCA), as well as a broad range of off-the-shelf transactors. Co-modeling also includes HDL Link(TM) for supporting co-verification with HDL simulators. HDL Link provides a quick and smooth migration path from a HDL-based verification environment to an emulation environment, while providing performance of up to 20X over HDL simulators alone.

"The productivity and capacity enhancements of the VStation-30M are in response to our customers' growing requests for higher capacity and performance in three key market areas: data processing, communications and networking," added Selosse. "VStation-30M technology provides accurate modeling of designs with multiple asynchronous clock domains in a manner which is not possible with emulators using processor architectures."

VStation-30M Product Features

The VStation-30M emulator consists of nine array boards with Virtex(TM) XCV2000E parts. Physical dimensions have not changed from the previous IKOS emulator, the VStation-15M, at 36 inches in length, 21.5 inches wide, by 27.5 inches high. The small footprint, one of the hallmarks for IKOS, allows the emulator to reside conveniently at the desktop or office. Other key features in the VStation-30M emulator include:

• Easy-to-use in-circuit emulation
• Accurate modeling of design with multiple asynchronous clock domains
• High-performance co-modeling through SCE-API compatible Transaction Interface Portal (TIP)
• HDL Link for migrating HDL-based verification to emulation (optional)
• Fully integrated RTL compile and debug capabilities for Verilog and VHDL

Pricing and Availability

The VStation-30M emulator will be available in June 2002 and the base system pricing begins at $1,375,000. For more information on Mentor Graphics VStation-30M emulator, contact your local Mentor Graphics account manager or call 800/223-3987.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT - News) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $600 million and employs approximately 3,500 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.

Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. VStation-30M, VirtualWires and HDL Link are trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

     Mentor Graphics
     Larry Toda, 503/685-1664
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     Jeremiah Glodoveza, 415/354-8375
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