Mentor Graphics Provides Tools in New Programmable Logic Designers Verilog Training Program

WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2002--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT - News), the leader in programmable logic design (PLD) solutions, today announced that special editions of its ModelSim® simulator and LeonardoSpectrum(TM) synthesis tools will be included with other leading PLD design tools in a new self-study program for learning PLD design and Verilog, a hardware description language (HDL).

This program will allow tomorrow's PLD engineers to familiarize themselves with leading-edge simulation and synthesis tools they will use in the future to create complex, multi-million gate designs.

Verilog Computer-Based Training Course (Verilog CBT), published by McGraw-Hill, is a CD-ROM that can be used by engineering students and entry-level designers to learn how to create textual representations of digital designs. The training software provides a unique learning environment, designed to provide value to each individual user's needs and skill levels.

The Verilog CBT product includes training software, quizzes, projects, language reference manuals, software manuals, and language and software tutorials. In addition to ModelSim and LeonardoSpectrum, also included in Verilog CBT is the web edition of Altera's Quartus II design software, used for advanced PLD and system-on-chip (SoC) designs.

The inclusion of ModelSim and LeonardoSpectrum tools in the product addresses the need for designers to acquaint themselves with high-quality, industry-leading tools they will use while learning Verilog.

"Tomorrow's PLD designers need to be accustomed to the tools they will be using, especially with the complexity and time-to-market constraints we already see in today's PLDs," said Anne Sanquini, vice president and general manager, HDL Design division, Mentor Graphics. "Providing users of Verilog CBT with software from leading-edge PLD vendors like Mentor Graphics and Altera lays the framework for rapidly creating complex designs."

Verilog CBT was created by Dr. Zainalabedin Navabi, expert and author of several publications related to Verilog, including, Verilog Digital System Design, and VHDL: Analysis and Modeling of Digital Systems.

"By using Verilog CBT, future-generation programmable logic designers will already be comfortable using Mentor's ModelSim, LeonardoSpectrum and Altera's Quartus tools included in this product," said Navabi. "These tools are renowned in the programmable logic community for their quality, speed and reliability, and Verilog CBT will give tomorrow's creators resources for learning Verilog today."

Designed For All Skill Levels

Verilog CBT is divided into seven streams, or segments, geared to challenge and educate all skill levels of HDL designers. Designed for each user's pace and skill level, from novice to advanced, the streams cover the role of HDLs in design, an overview of Verilog, examples of Verilog use, language constructs, synthesizable coding, language coding and use of Verilog-based tools.

ModelSim Offers Industry-Leading Simulation

The Mentor Graphics ModelSim tool is a best-in-class mixed-language simulator tailored for today's multi-million gate ASIC and PLD designs. At this level of complexity, the need to detect errors in the development cycle, before synthesis and place and route, becomes increasingly important in improving engineering productivity. ModelSim enables VHDL or Verilog testbench design verification, allowing users to simulate the design based on system-level VHDL or Verilog specification.

LeonardoSpectrum Offers Excellent Synthesis Capabilities

The Mentor Graphics LeonardoSpectrum synthesis tool allows users to create PLD designs in VHDL or Verilog using one synthesis environment. LeonardoSpectrum provides designers with industry-leading synthesis technology, combining push-button ease-of-use features and sophisticated design strategies. With these features, users can carefully control and optimize PLD designs to meet their exact requirements.

About Altera's Quartus II Design Software

Altera's Quartus® II design software delivers superior designer productivity and supports system-level designs with features including LogicLock(TM) block-based design methodology, the PowerFit(TM) fitter technology, support for multi-million gate devices, and integration with third-party software. The Quartus II software supports hardware and embedded software workflows, including a C/C++ compiler and debugger in a fully integrated development environment to support Altera's Excalibur embedded processor solutions. The Quartus II software supports major operating systems, including Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98, Sun Solaris, HP-UX and now Red Hat Linux version 7.1. For more information about Quartus II software, please visit: http://www.altera.com/quartus2.

About Dr. Zainalabedin Navabi

Dr. Zainalabedin Navabi is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern University. He holds doctorate and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Arizona and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Navabi has authored several books and technical papers on Verilog and VHDL, including VHDL: Analysis and Modeling of Digital Systems, currently in its second edition.

Pricing and Availability

Verilog CBT is available now and carries a list price of $199.95. It is available from McGraw-Hill at www.books.mcgraw-hill.com, amazon.com and other online retailers.

About Mentor Graphics Corporation

Mentor Graphics Corporation 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 more than $600 million and employs approximately 3,700 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 and ModelSim are registered trademarks, and LeonardoSpectrum is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. Quartus is a registered trademark, and LogicLock and PowerFit are trademarks of Altera Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

     Mentor Graphics
     Keri Spehalski, 503/685-1359
     keri_spehalski@mentor.com
     or
     Weber Shandwick
     Mark Mohammadpour, 503/552-3734
     mmohammadpour@webershandwick.com