Siemens Adopts Mentor Graphics Catapult C Synthesis Tool for 50 Percent Reduction in RTL Implementation of C Algorithms

WILSONVILLE, Ore.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 31, 2004— Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) today announced that Siemens Information and Communications Networks (ICN) has reduced C source to register transfer level (RTL) implementation time by 50 percent on a strategic project using the new Mentor Graphics(R) Catapult(TM) C Synthesis tool. As a result, Siemens ICN has adopted the tool, which will be used by the Munich-based design team to develop an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for a voice over IP (VoIP) application.

"We were impressed by the results. The fact that we could synthesize our untimed, system-level C/C++ source code with minimal modification played an important role in the success of this project. It provided a precise path from our system-level models all the way to RTL, which allowed us to meet our required design goals in significantly less time," said Rudolf Krumenacker, vice president, system-on-chip design, Siemens ICN. "Mentor Graphics field and product teams provided us with excellent support, enabling us to apply -- in only a few days -- this new technology to our highly important project."

Using the Mentor Catapult C Synthesis tool, Siemens' design team discovered that it could automatically generate correct RTL for a complex VoIP algorithm in half the time required with conventional manual methods. The synthesized RTL code readily met placement and routing timing, while satisfying the project's latency requirements.

"We worked closely with Siemens to help ensure that the new methodology and process they were undertaking with the Catapult C Synthesis tool would prove successful for their critical and complex device," said Simon Bloch, general manager, design creation and synthesis division, Mentor Graphics. "They played a strategic role in providing solid feedback that we could incorporate into the product in order to better address their design needs."

Catapult C Synthesis-- The Only High-Level Synthesis Tool for Un-timed C

The Catapult C Synthesis tool is the only high-level synthesis tool that automatically generates error-free RTL hardware descriptions from system-level, un-timed C/C++ code -- up to 20 times faster than traditional manual methods. The Catapult C Synthesis tool also allows designers to perform detailed exploration, or "what-if" analysis, on varying micro-architecture and interface scenarios in order to fully optimize designs. Uniting system-level and hardware design, the tool targets ASIC and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) designers who are designing complex devices for next-generation applications, including digital signal processing (DSP), used in wireless and satellite communications, as well as video and image processing.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) 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 $675 million and employs approximately 3,700 people worldwide. Corporate

Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark, and Catapult and Catapult C Synthesis are trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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