VCX Software To Provide IP Data, Supply Chain Capabilities to Chip Estimation and Optimization Expert Giga Scale IC

LIVINGSTON - April 26, 2004 - Continuing its evolution to becoming the industry's premier supplier of semiconductor intellectual property (IP) supply chain management capabilities, VCX Software Ltd. today announced an agreement with chip-estimation and optimization specialist Giga Scale Integration Corporation (Giga Scale IC™) that will link VCX Software's IP access and management technology into Giga Scale IC's new chip planning suite, InCyte®, also announced today. The integration of the two companies' capabilities will facilitate faster and easier interaction between users and suppliers of semiconductor IP.

VCX Software's library of information of more than 2,500 IP blocks augments InCyte's database containing over 1,300 soft IP components and several hundred foundation IP libraries (standard cell, memory and I/O). The resulting data can be used to build a Silicon Virtual Model™ (SVM) of chip. An SVM includes detailed specifications, floorplan and Bill of Materials for the IP on the chip. InCyte's capabilities allow optimization to occur at both the architectural and implementation levels, taking full advantage of data found in the spec's of the IP and their design kits.

Giga Scale IC will offer customers a direct on-line connection to the aggregated information at the VCX Gateway server through its new specification optimization system, InCyte. This initial integration of the search capability, XML-feed utility and supply of IP information from VCX Software provides real-time access to critical data required for advanced SoC design. Access is provided by launching a Java script which accesses the VCX Gateway Server directly. A search engine quickly finds available IP. Once users have found the part they want, and it has the relevant information, they will transfer the accessible data about the IP directly into a local users IP directory on the machine running InCyte.

The integration will be extended to provide more in-depth and customized capabilities for one-to-one interaction, negotiation and engagement directly between IP providers and chip designers.

"Designing complex chips correctly and optimally is all about access to information, and the earlier in the design process, the better. That access is typically inefficient or not available at all because of the disparate nature of the semiconductor supply chain. Together, Giga Scale IC and VCX Software can help connect that supply chain much more tightly by synergistically providing designers with access to critical data that is accurate, timely and comprehensive," said Andy Travers, president and CEO of VCX Software. "Today's announcement is a tremendous step forward in providing a central control and access point to critical information for SoC design. It reinforces our position, and emerging role, within the EDA sector, not just as supplier of high quality aggregated IP information, but more importantly, as the link between IP users and the many globally dispersed potential IP suppliers within this incredibly diverse, complex and information rich business."

Vin Ratford, president of Giga Scale IC, noted: "We have seen unanimous agreement that the overwhelming complexity and costs involved in silicon device realization could bring the industry and the entire fabless business model to its knees. Tackling the front end of this problem, with the InCyte product suite for chip planning, Giga Scale IC recognized that the entire supply chain not only needed a system that can capture the requirements of a new IC design, but could also facilitate communication between all the suppliers. This agreement will allow designers and suppliers to exchange more information in real time, apply it in a silicon virtual model of the chip, and ultimately reduce time and cost in the chip design process."

Under terms of the initial arrangement, the VCX Gateway server supplies users with basic information on gate-count for soft IP and width/height information for hard IP as inputs for InCyte. Both companies anticipate that when further detailed estimation and optimization features of the tool suite are exploited, users and providers will need a seamless process to exchange more complex data and deliverables. VCX Software's solutions for IP information profiling and exchange together with its patented business and legal processes were critical factors in meeting Giga Scale IC's future requirements.

About VCX Software
VCX Software, Ltd. provides software tools, databases and services to improve the efficiency of using semiconductor intellectual property (IP) for SOC design. The company's products, which are based on years of experience and technology development in IP management, are designed for both users and providers of IP, enabling them to better prepare, manage, market, locate, evaluate, and acquire IP. This results in reduced time to market and expense for IP providers and users. VCX Software will maintain a supply of information-based products for other players in the semiconductor supply chain as a means to increase the number of access points for customers. VCX Software is a privately held company based in Livingston, Scotland. More information can still be found at www.thevcx.com.

About Giga Scale IC
Founded in 2003, Giga Scale Integration Corporation -- or Giga Scale IC™ -- is a private Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software company that develops InCyte®, the first Specification Optimization System for integrated circuit (IC) design. Used during the Specify and Create phases of design, InCyte generates a Silicon Virtual Model™ (SVM) containing power, leakage, speed, die size, yield and cost for different processes. InCyte includes a specification cockpit, floorplanner and estimator bundled with semiconductor intellectual property (IP) to create the SVM. The SVM interfaces with other EDA tools and is used across the semiconductor supply chain to ensure compliance with the specification. Giga Scale IC corporate headquarters are located at: 10050 North Wolfe Road, Suite SW1-266, Cupertino, Calif. 95014. Telephone: (408) 255-0444. Facsimile: (408) 255-0344. Email: info@gigaic.com. Web Site: http://www.gigaic.com.

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