Altera and Synplicity Introduce Interface Standard for FPGA Physical Synthesis

Physical Synthesis Design Format Enables Closer Interoperability Between Design Tools for High-Density Programmable Logic

DESIGN AUTOMATION CONFERENCE, NEW ORLEANS, June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --- Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR - News) and Synplicity, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNP - News), a leading supplier of software for the design and verification of semiconductors, today introduced a new standard interface called PSDF, Physical Synthesis Design Format, that increases interoperability between physical synthesis and place-and-route tools. This new Altera interface, which was co-developed with Synplicity, allows for improved timing and placement information for use by physical synthesis tools. As a result of this interface, circuit performance is significantly improved while the number of design iterations is reduced when using Synplicity's Amplify® Physical Optimizer(TM) software, the industry's first physical synthesis tool for PLDs, and Altera's Quartus® II design software.

"Altera engineers worked closely with Synplicity's FPGA synthesis team to ensure that our software tools deliver accurate timing and placement information for customers designing high-performance system-on-a-programmable- chip (SOPC) designs," said Y.K. Ning, director of Altera's EDA software engineering. "Altera is making this PSDF standard interface format available to other EDA vendors, with the goal that it will be widely adopted across the industry."

This new standard will support Altera's Stratix(TM), APEX(TM) II, APEX 20KE, APEX 20KC, and Excalibur(TM) devices.

"With multi-million gate programmable logic devices evolving to integrate complex functions and embedded processors, incorporating accurate timing and placement information during the synthesis process is essential to meeting aggressive timing goals quickly," said Venkatesh Nathamuni, director of engineering for Amplify and Certify products at Synplicity. "By working closely with Altera to develop a standard interface, we anticipate that SOPC designers will gain accelerated access to the Amplify software's physical synthesis technology, enabling them to take full advantage of advanced architectural features in Altera's high-density devices."

Pricing and Availability

The next available version of Altera's Quartus II design software will write out the PSDF file format for use by Physical Synthesis Tools. Synplicity's Amplify Physical Optimizer software v3.1 will support this PSDF format. The Amplify software is available as an option to Synplicity's Synplify Pro logic synthesis software.

About Altera

Altera Corporation is the world's pioneer in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. Combining programmable logic technology with software tools, intellectual property, and technical services, Altera provides high- value programmable solutions to approximately 14,000 customers worldwide. More information is available at http://www.altera.com .

About Synplicity

Synplicity, Inc. is a leading provider of software products that enable the rapid and effective design and verification of semiconductors used in networking and communications, computer and peripheral, consumer and military/aerospace electronics systems. Recognizing the company's industry- leading position, Dataquest named Synplicity as the #1 provider of PLD synthesis tools in 2000 with a 45 percent market share. Synplicity leverages its innovative logic synthesis, physical synthesis and verification software solutions to improve performance and shorten development time for complex programmable logic devices, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and system-on-chip (SoC) integrated circuits. The company's fast, easy-to-use products offer high quality of results, support industry-standard design languages (VHDL and Verilog) and run on popular platforms. As of March 31, 2002, Synplicity employed 269 people in its 20 facilities worldwide. Synplicity is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. For more information on Synplicity, visit http://www.synplicity.com .

NOTE: Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the stylized Altera logo, specific device designations, and all other words that are identified as trademarks and/or service marks are, unless noted otherwise, the trademarks and service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Synplicity, Amplify, Certify and Synplify Pro are registered trademarks and Physical Optimizer is a trademark of Synplicity, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective holder.

CONTACT: Ami Dorrell of Altera Corporation, +1-408-544-6397, or newsroom@altera.com; or Steve Gabriel of Porter Novelli, +1-408-369-1500, or steve.gabriel@porternovelli.com, for Altera Corporation.