HPL Technologies and Virage Logic Alliance Reduces Chip Production Time, Cost

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- HPL Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: HPLA - news), a leading provider of yield optimization solutions for semiconductor manufacturers and fabless design companies, today announced that it has joined Virage Logic's (Nasdaq: VIRL - news) Memory Alliance Program (MAP) as a provider of yield optimization solutions for the production of embedded memory. Virage Logic is the leading supplier of embedded memories for system-on-chip (SoC) devices. In July, Virage Logic announced the SRAM-based STAR Memory System(TM), which delivers high yield by integrating test and repair of embedded memories onto an SoC. By integrating HPL's yield enhancement tools and services with the STAR Memory System, users can obtain higher manufacturing yields through failure analysis and optimization done during the design and manufacture of embedded memories.

"HPL's expertise and technology in yield optimization solutions is second to none in the industry," according to Adam Kablanian, president and CEO of Virage Logic. "We feel that HPL's proven ability to significantly increase embedded memory yield will expand the embedded memory market and provide a significant value-add needed by our customers."

"We are excited to join forces with Virage Logic to provide yield optimization solutions for system-on-chip design through their Memory Alliance Program," said David Lepejian, president and CEO of HPL Technologies. "Our yield optimization tools have a proven track record of increasing volume shipments of chips containing embedded memory. Customers can directly increase the output of their semiconductor production -- that's saving time and improving profitability for the bottom line."

Yield Optimization Suite improves yield of STAR Memory System

There are two phases to HPL's integration with Virage Logic's STAR Memory System. The first is a service performed by HPL during memory design and pre-production to provide users with highly accurate projection of the SoC's manufacturing yield. This data is used by Virage Logic to optimize the selection and implementation of the redundant elements within each STAR memory. The yield projection data can be used to make sound decisions to adjust the amount of redundancy in each memory to the optimal level for production. In addition, HPL's layout analysis and realistic fault extraction software tools may be used to determine which memory defects are likely to occur and the STAR Memory System's built-in self test capability can be programmed to detect those faults. During the second phase, HPL and Virage Logic will use actual production process data along with results from manufacturing test to further increase the test and repair of the memory in order to achieve the best balance of yield, reliability, testability and cost. This is typically done when a device goes into high volume production, and the production process is far more mature.

HPL's yield enhancement tools are immediately available for Virage Logic STAR Memory System customers. Please contact your Virage Logic sales representative.

About Virage Logic

Virage Logic is a global technology and market leader in embedded memory. To meet customer design goals with the highest level of quality, Virage Logic products are silicon proven and production ready, and optimized for area, power and speed. These products include embedded memory cores, which are critical components of communications, consumer and computer products including switches, routers, modems, cellular phones, set-top boxes, HDTVs, DVD players and PCs. In addition, the company offers software tools and custom memory design services. The company's customers include fabless semiconductor companies who use pure-play foundries and other semiconductor companies. Founded in January 1996, the company has over 200 employees and is located at 46501 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, Calif., 94538. Telephone: 877-360-6690 (toll free) or 510-360-8000. Fax: 510-360-8099. For more information, please visit www.viragelogic.com.

About HPL

HPL is a leading provider of yield optimization software solutions that enable semiconductor companies to enhance the efficiency of the semiconductor production process, which consists of design fabrication and test. The Company's products include a flexible software platform that allow its customers to accelerate the process in which they identify, measure and correct sources of failure in the production process. By accelerating this process, HPL enables its customers to recognize the higher levels of revenue and profitability that are typically associated with the early part of a new semiconductor product cycle and to improve product quality and production efficiency. As of September 30, 2001, the Company had 170 employees. For more information, please visit www.hpl.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements, which reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the following: customer concentration, competition, acceptance of our products and technology, downturn in the semiconductor industry and the nature of our sales cycle. These factors and other risks inherent in our business are described in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and HPL's most recent quarterly statement on form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2001. Actual results may vary materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.