SMIC and Synopsys Deliver Reference Design Flow 3.0 For 90-Nanometer Designs

Reference Design Flow Features New Low Power and DFM Capabilities Based on Synopsys' Galaxy(TM) Design and Discovery Verification Platforms

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and SHANGHAI, China -- Sept. 5, 2006 -- Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in semiconductor design software, and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC; NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 0981.HK), the largest foundry in China, today announced that the two companies have jointly developed and deployed reference design flow 3.0. SMIC and Synopsys Professional Services worked together closely on the complete RTL-to-GDSII flow, which is based on the Synopsys Galaxy(TM) Design and Discovery(TM) Verification Platforms and SMIC's advanced 90-nanometer (nm) process. The proven flow incorporates a broad range of automated low-power and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) capabilities to shorten time-to-market, reduce risk and ensure predictable success for complex system-on-chip (SoC) designs.

SMIC's low-power process and the reference design flow were validated using SMIC's multiple voltage standard cell libraries, low-power design kit, memory compiler and I/O. The flow features Synopsys' Galaxy Design Platform solutions for RTL synthesis and test, physical implementation and signoff. Advanced closure features in the flow target concurrent timing, power optimization and signoff, including signal integrity (SI) prevention, analysis and repair.

"SMIC's advanced 90-nm process demands a flow that addresses critical timing, power and DFM issues to reduce risk and shorten time to volume," said Paul Ouyang, vice president of Design Services at SMIC. "We worked closely with Synopsys and built on the success of our previous two reference design flows to deliver a proven path to silicon for our mutual customers. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Synopsys as we move toward even more advanced process nodes."

The reference design flow 3.0 is derived from the design flow in Synopsys' Pilot Design Environment and can be extended and enhanced by designers to address design-specific requirements. Advanced hierarchical floor-planning capabilities in the flow support hard-macros and soft-macros. Advanced low- power capabilities include level shifter and isolation cell insertion, voltage area creation, multiple voltage power mesh creation, level shifter and isolation cell placement optimization, multiple voltage-aware CTS and multiple voltage-aware physical verification, which can reduce leakage power dissipation by 30 percent. All of these capabilities were validated using SMIC's low-power design kit, which consists of a level shifter, isolation cell and clock gating cell. DFM features include via optimization, as well as filler cell and filler cap insertion. Test capabilities in the flow reduce test data volume and time.

"Our close collaboration with SMIC has resulted in a flow that targets advanced deep-submicron process issues for the burgeoning Chinese market," said Rich Goldman, vice president of Strategic Market Development at Synopsys. "We continue to work closely with SMIC to deliver a fully validated flow that meets our end-customers' demanding design needs and helps them achieve predictable success for advanced SoCs."

About SMIC

SMIC (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981) is one of the leading semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing service at 0.35mm to 90nm and finer line technologies. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, SMIC operates three 200mm fabs in Shanghai and one in Tianjin, and one 300mm fab in Beijing, the first of its kind in Mainland China. SMIC has customer service and marketing offices in the U.S., Italy, and Japan as well as a representative office in Hong Kong. For additional information, please visit http://www.smics.com .

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is a world leader in EDA software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading semiconductor design and verification platforms and IC manufacturing software products to the global electronics market, enabling the development and production of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California and has offices in more than 60 locations throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com .

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