Tality Launches Complete GSM/GPRS Handset Design Solution

Customizable Platform Accelerates Time To Market, Reduces Development Risk, And Provides Path To 3G Multi-Mode Handsets

San Jose, CA. - May 15, 2001 - Tality Corporation, a subsidiary of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CDN) - announced today a complete GSM/GPRS handset design solution. The solution - a pre-designed handset platform coupled with customization engineering services - provides an accelerated route to the realization of cost-competitive GSM/GPRS handsets. Customers utilizing the solution will be able to introduce a handset with custom feature set and case styling into manufacturing in the first quarter of 2002.

The platform developed by Tality is built around Conexant Systems, Inc.'s recently launched GSM/GPRS chipset. It is a dual/triple band design with a GSM Phase 2+ feature set. It incorporates Conexant's GPRS protocol stack, an evolution of its network-proven GSM stack. The platform has a high-resolution 120 x 96 pixel LCD display and a modifiable graphical user interface, with a standard handset form-factor. It is being extensively laboratory- and field-tested, eliminating conformance and other development risks inherent in full-custom handsets.

Tality will utilize the platform to develop customized handsets from concept to finished product, including a smooth interface to volume manufacturing at the customer's designated production facility. Tality will also assist customers with further field trials and type approvals.

Additional functions, such as personal information management, voice dialing and recording, predictive text entry, as well as HTML/CHTML and WAP browsers, can be quickly integrated into the standard handset. Tality can also implement a greater level of customization, such as a fully-customized form-factor and the customer's choice of high-resolution gray-scale or color LCD, as well as GPS, AMPS, Bluetooth communications, email client, multimedia messaging, MP3 audio, digital camera, and melody editing.

"Complexity and expense are delaying the deployment of 3G networks, creating an increase for 2.5 enhancements to 2G networks", said Alan Brown, senior analyst, Gartner, Inc.. "The pressure is now on to design multimode 2G/2.5G handsets quickly, forcing equipment manufacturers to meet a design cycle of six months, or maybe even less."

"The only feasible way to meet a handset design time target of six months is to start with a pre-designed core system, such as the Tality handset platform" said Brent Hudson, vice president and general manager of Tality's Wireless design group. "Our platform will also significantly reduce development risk, and offer a competitive bill of materials."

Tality has a comprehensive roadmap for the realization of third-generation wireless communications products, including 2.5G technology that bridges the gap to 3G. The GSM/GPRS handset platform is a critical technology in that roadmap.

About Tality

Tality Corporation, formerly the Electronic Design Services group of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CDN), was launched as a separate company in October 2000. With more than 1,100 engineers located in 14 design sites worldwide, Tality is the world's largest independent provider of engineering services and intellectual property for the design of complex electronic systems and integrated circuits. Tality is headquartered at 555 River Oaks Parkway, Building #3, San Jose, California, 95134. www.tality.com.