Synplicity Acquires FPGA Debugging Technology From Bridges2Silicon
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2002--Synplicity, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SYNP), a leading supplier of software for the design and
verification of semiconductors, today announced it has acquired the
FPGA debug product, core technology and other intellectual property
from Bridges2Silicon, Inc., an EDA company located in Sunnyvale,
Calif. Synplicity plans to sell the standalone FPGA debug product and
intends to apply the underlying technology for the development of
next-generation debug products. Synplicity completed the asset
acquisition today for cash consideration of $2,500,000. Synplicity
plans to hold a web conference to discuss this acquisition Monday,
November 11, 2002 at 8:00 a.m. PST.
"As part of our roadmap, we have identified critical technologies
for product development within the ASIC and FPGA space," said Kenneth
McElvain, Synplicity's chief technical officer. "The Bridges2Silicon
technology represents an important component for us given the
increasing verification challenges our customers face. We expect this
technology to provide a solution that enables our customers to quickly
and easily debug their complex system-on-chip FPGA designs. The
Bridges2Silicon technology will enhance our robust FPGA synthesis
product portfolio and also complement our Certify® software for
FPGA-based prototypes, helping ASIC designers identify and fix
problems in their designs more quickly."
Bernard Aronson, president and CEO of Synplicity, said, "We have
investigated the FPGA debug market and believe it represents a good
growth opportunity for Synplicity. The unique RTL debug solution from
Bridges2Silicon is complementary to our existing products, allowing us
to provide FPGA verification benefits to our customers immediately. In
addition to a market-ready product, we have acquired a rich patent
portfolio that we expect we can leverage for existing and future
product development."
As part of the product and technology acquisition, Synplicity also
hired three members of the EDA development team that created the
debugger product and technology. These new employees will join
Synplicity's FPGA synthesis and RTL prototyping product teams to
develop next-generation products based on the debugging technology.
Mark Beardslee, founder and vice president, Engineering of
Bridges2Silicon said, "Bridges2Silicon is excited Synplicity has
chosen to combine our products and technology with its world-class
synthesis and prototyping tools. The combined toolset will provide
designers with a unique In-System debugging environment that lets
designers look inside their devices to quickly find errors."
Synplicity plans to sell the Bridges2Silicon Debugger software as
part of a new Identify(TM) family of debugging solutions. The product
is available now from Synplicity with prices starting at approximately
$15,000. Please visit http://www.synplicity.com or contact your local
sales representative for more details.
Synplicity plans to hold a web conference to discuss this
acquisition Monday, November 11, 2002 at 8:00 a.m. PST. The webcast
can be accessed at http://www.synplicity.com or at http://www.tfn.com.
Following completion of the call, a rebroadcast of the webcast will be
available at http://www.synplicity.com. For those without access to
the Internet, a replay of the call will be available from 11:00 a.m.
PST on November 11, 2002 through November 18, 2002. To listen to a
replay, call (719) 457-0820, passcode: 626690.
About Synplicity
Synplicity, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNP) 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 2001, with a
54 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 October 31, 2002, Synplicity employed 255
people in its 20 facilities worldwide. Synplicity is headquartered in
Sunnyvale, Calif. For more information on Synplicity, visit
http://www.synplicity.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements
regarding the anticipated benefits of the assets acquired and the
opportunities the acquisition will bring, are forward-looking
statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Results could
differ materially based on factors including, and without limitation:
the economy in general, economic conditions and the related impact on
the spending for networking and communications equipment and other
complex electronics equipment; demand for Synplicity's products and
products acquired from Bridges2Silicon; rapid technological change and
evolving industry standards and adverse changes in market conditions
in both the United States and internationally. Further information on
factors that could affect Synplicity's results are included in
Synplicity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2001 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2002 on file with the Exchange and Securities
Commission.
Synplicity and Certify are registered trademarks of Synplicity,
Inc. Identify is a trademark of Synplicity, Inc. All other brands or
products are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners. SYB-192
Contact:
Synplicity, Inc.
Doug Miller, 408/215-6000 (Reader Contact)
dmiller@synplicity.com
or
Porter Novelli
Steve Gabriel, 408/369-1500 (PR Contact)
steve.gabriel@porternovelli.com
Source:
Synplicity, Inc.
