Mentor Graphics Announces Comprehensive Embedded Software Development Program for Hardware Companies

WILSONVILLE, Ore., July 26, 2011—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced a new program composed of the Mentor® Embedded professional services and products specifically for hardware companies. The Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program provides a spectrum of comprehensive services and training for embedded Android, Linux®, open source tools (GNU, GCC, Eclipse), user interface (UI) creation, and vertical markets, including in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), smart energy and retail applications. It leverages previous embedded software development successes with major silicon vendors such as C2 Microsystems, Freescale Semiconductor, IBM, NetLogic Microsystems, and Texas Instruments.

As embedded systems are becoming increasingly complex, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are placing ever-growing demands on their hardware vendors to deliver better software development tools and considerably more runtime content. Due to the large volume of sophisticated open source platform software expected by OEMs, hardware vendors can increase design wins and accelerate products to market by creating an efficient eco-system of embedded tools, middleware, operating systems (including real-time operating systems, Android and Linux) and services. The Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program enables hardware vendors to create an efficient software ecosystem by providing common tools and embedded Linux and Android reference platforms in both free and commercially supported formats, based on customer preferences. The Mentor Embedded product and services offerings include support for platform development on bare metal, RTOS, and open source operating systems, GNU toolchain services, and embedded UIs.

The Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program includes:

• Android offerings that comprise the creation, optimization, and maintenance of full-featured Android environments. This includes the creation and maintenance of a public repository and fostering an OEM community around that repository. Android training is also offered to help reduce the time to volume.
• Linux commercial platform creation for hardware targets, board support package (BSP) creation, optimization, open source community management, platform maintenance, support, training, engineering services, and maintenance. Mentor is the only major open source player that supports the powerful combination of a no cost Linux version that is fully compatible with their commercial version of Linux.
• Complete open source toolchain offerings, such as GNU, GCC, Eclipse, and low-level virtual machine (LLVM), to develop code for hardware architecture, such as porting, custom and commercial software development kits (SDKs), optimized performance libraries, advanced analysis tools, and JTAG probes for devices
• User interface product and design services to jumpstart OEM customers’ development efforts to deliver dynamic 2D, 2.5D and 3D graphics, animation, and special effects for customized products that can be created very fast
• Vertical Platform Services delivering a range of firmware, OS, middleware, application and UI development for existing hardware to support specific vertical market requirements

“Our Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program leverages embedded expertise and leadership in open source products and services to optimize today’s leading silicon technologies worldwide,” stated Glenn Perry, general manager of Mentor Graphics Embedded Software Division. “Together with our key hardware partners, we have seen the productivity and performance gains experienced from customers who have adopted Mentor Embedded technologies and services for device optimization.”

Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program Availability

The full range of Mentor Embedded products and services for hardware vendors is available today. For more information visit the website at http://go.mentor.com/mehep.

Mentor Graphics Embedded Software Division comprises the Mentor Embedded family of products and services, including embedded software intellectual property (IP), tools, and professional consultant services to help embedded developers and silicon partners optimize their products for design and cost efficiency. The Mentor Embedded team continues to lead the industry with involvement in the open source community and in innovations such as Android beyond mobile handsets, 2D and 3D UI development, open source tools, and multi-OS on multicore architectures. More information on Mentor Embedded products and services can be found at www.mentor.com/embedded.

Supporting Comments from Mentor Graphics Semiconductor Partners:

C2 Microsystems

"To assist in developing an Android solution that fully exploits C2's sophisticated Jazz 2 media processor devices for Smart STB applications, C2 was seeking a partner with deep experience of both Android and embedded Linux systems and strong support capabilities," said Dr Jinxiang (Gene) Liu, CEO of C2 Microsystems. "Mentor satisfied all our requirements and with close co-working, we have delivered an industry-leading Android implementation to our customers.”

Freescale Semiconductor

 "We selected Mentor as one of our strategic embedded software partners because of their establishedtechnology leadership and engagement in open source,” stated Raja Tabet, vice president of Software and Enablement Technology for Freescale’s Networking and Multimedia Group. “The value of this long-term collaboration has grown, extending beyond Linux to include support for Android, GNU-based toolchain and UI technologies. Combining Freescale’s leading embedded solutions with Mentor’s software design tools is helping our mutual customers tap a broad base ecosystem that allows for the creation of more advanced and innovative products.”

IBM

"PowerPC has been a critical component for electronics manufacturers for nearly two decades and our PowerPC ecosystem continues to grow," said Elmer Corbin, director of IBM's Custom Processor unit. "These offerings from Mentor Graphics will help bring the Android operating system to our PowerPC partners, giving solution providers a proven embedded platform for use in a range of innovative new devices, from tablet computers to digital televisions."

NetLogic Microsystems

“Many of our customers require efficient, easy-to-use Linux platforms for our industry-leading multi-core, multi-threaded processors, in addition to having a quality commercial Linux partner to stand behind the platform,” said Chris O’Reilly, vice president of marketing at NetLogic Microsystems. “The Mentor Embedded team continues to meet our customers’ expectations by not only providing optimized toolchains that produce a material overall software performance improvement, but also through their platform support, which further enhances our competitive edge.”

Texas Instruments

“TI offers customers a total system solution with hardware, tools and software to begin their embedded development,” said Jake Alamat, director of marketing, Sitara™ ARM® microprocessors. “Our robust, third-party ecosystem extends our solutions to address a wide range of applications. The new Mentor Embedded Hardware Enablement Program is a key part of this ecosystem, speeding embedded development, and we’re pleased to offer this to our customers.”

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 electronic, semiconductor and systems companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $915 million. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.