Synplicity Facilitates Open IP Encryption Methodology Standard

• Methodology Enables Designers to Use Protected IP Throughout the Design Flow
• Supports Tool Interoperability

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--June 19, 2006--Synplicity, Inc., a leading supplier of software for the design and verification of semiconductors, today announced that the company has developed a free, non-proprietary IP encryption flow that permits industry-wide interoperability. Synplicity is offering this methodology to the EDA, IP and end-user communities as a means to address the challenges designers face when using protected IP in their design flows, which are often made up of tools from several different EDA providers. The proposed methodology supports tool interoperability and the underlying technology allows IP providers and EDA vendors to deliver solutions to their customers that provide the flexibility and security necessary for an industry standard to emerge. Synplicity will host a breakfast panel the morning of July 25 at the 2006 Design Automation Conference in San Francisco to discuss this open IP encryption flow and methodology. Panel members are comprised of representatives from ARM, Cadence Design Systems, Lattice Semiconductor, VSI Alliance (VSIA), Xilinx, and Synplicity.

This proposed IP encryption methodology, which is applicable to both FPGA and ASIC design flows, should significantly simplify the integration of IP for designers. Some EDA companies have attempted to offer their own proprietary encryption schemes, but they did not satisfy user needs because design flows typically consist of tools from more than one EDA vendor. The proposed non-proprietary methodology will allow IP vendors to create a single version of the encrypted data that can be used by tools from multiple EDA vendors.

"The open IP encryption environment proposed by Synplicity will facilitate the use of protected IP throughout the design flow, from IP vendor to EDA vendor to silicon supplier," stated Gary Meyers, president and CEO at Synplicity. "This methodology aims to create a standard for encryption and decryption in electronic design flows, which supports industry-wide interoperability, for any application where FPGAs or ASICs are used."

The methodology utilizes openly available, well-tested, and government-approved encryption methods combined with an encryption embedding mechanism proposed by Cadence Design Systems for the next revision of IEEE 1364-2005. The methodology permits IP vendors to choose how far encryption persists through the design flow and includes the option of encryption all the way to the semiconductor. This generic cryptosystem approach combines symmetric encryption (also called symmetric cipher, such as DES, 3DES and AES) with asymmetric encryption (also called public key encryption, such as RSA).

"A standard mechanism for IP encryption will permit users to easily employ encrypted IP with a wide variety of design flows," added Meyers. "IP vendors will benefit from the protection of their proprietary ideas while enjoying the benefits of its widespread accessibility. EDA vendors will be able to offer tools that accommodate the increasing variety of IP without having to deal with hundreds of different protection mechanisms. In addition, the semiconductor vendors, who often provide IP, will also benefit from the shorter design times made possible by the extensive use of IP."

Several EDA vendors and IP providers have shown interest in this open IP encryption methodology, including IP providers CAST and PLDA, who stated:

"Over thirteen years, we've seen various mechanisms for protecting IP cores come and go, but Synplicity's new integrated encryption approach is actually pretty slick," said Hal Barbour, president of CAST, Inc. "It should simplify product deliveries and sales evaluations for IP providers, and lead to greater choice and flexibility for IP users. We're enthusiastic about adopting it for CAST cores and expect that other IP firms and more EDA companies will join in soon."

"IP protection is a critical concern for IP providers and users alike," said Callan Carpenter, vice president of business development for PLDA, Inc. "Without it, IP providers risk a complete loss of their investment, and users are denied the benefits of a diverse and robust IP market. An industry-standard solution such as this is ideal. Like the secure socket layer on the Web, a standard solution will facilitate tool flow and IP integration while still providing the industry with great peace of mind."

Synplicity to Host IP Encryption Breakfast Panel During DAC 2006

To provide more information on the new methodology, Synplicity will host a panel discussion during the Design Automation Conference entitled, "An Industry Standard IP Protection System for EDA Tool Flows." Panelists will include representatives from ARM, Cadence Design Systems, Lattice Semiconductor, Synplicity, VSIA, and Xilinx, and will be moderated by Gabe Moretti, Gabe on EDA. The panel session will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. in Room 302 of the Moscone Center. The panel session is open to all DAC attendees. To register for DAC 2006 visit www.dac.com.

About Synplicity

Synplicity® Inc. is a leading supplier of innovative software solutions that enable the rapid and effective design of Programmable Logic Devices (FPGAs, PLDs and CPLDs) that serve a wide range of communications, military/aerospace, consumer, semiconductor, computer, and other electronic systems markets. Synplicity's tools provide outstanding performance, cost and time-to-market benefits by simplifying, improving and automating key design planning, logic synthesis, physical synthesis and verification functions for FPGA, FPGA-based ASIC verification, and DSP designers. Synplicity is the number one supplier of FPGA synthesis solutions and has been rated #1 in customer satisfaction in 2004 and 2005 in EE Times' Annual FPGA Customer Survey. Synplicity products support industry-standard design languages (VHDL and Verilog) and run on popular platforms. The company operates in over 20 facilities worldwide and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information visit http://www.synplicity.com.