Magma Integrates MSIM Circuit Simulator with SiliconSmart Characterization and Modeling Technology

Integration combines the sophistication of SiliconSmart technology with the speed and accuracy of MSIM

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- July 20, 2004 -- Magma(R) Design Automation (Nasdaq:LAVA) today announced that its SiliconSmart(TM) characterization and modeling products now support Legend Design Technology's MSIM circuit simulator. The combination of SiliconSmart technology's sophisticated stimulus definition and advanced measurement acquisition with the speed and accuracy of MSIM delivers accurate nanometer libraries in record time.

Successful design teams understand that the quality and accuracy of the IP used in their design flow is critical to their ability to meet overall power and performance objectives. Specifically, the models must correlate well with the silicon being produced in the foundry. Ensuring that level of correlation requires the timely delivery of libraries characterized for the specific operating condition of the design and it must be performed using up-to-date process models. Furthermore, the measurement acquisition process requires intelligent stimulus definition to produce models containing critical state-dependent timing and power data.

The integration of SiliconSmart characterization technology with the MSIM circuit simulator accomplishes these goals. The SiliconSmart technology supports the sophisticated stimulus definition, measurement acquisition and job management features required for even the most complex standard cell, IO or embedded memory. Its model-publishing capabilities include support for industry-standard model formats, such as ECSM (Effective Current Source Models) and Liberty NLDM, as well as equation-based models, such as Liberty SPDM.

"The accuracy of analysis performed in contemporary design flows is directly correlated to the quality of its fundamental components -- the models," said Premal Buch, PhD., general manager of the analysis and signoff business unit of Magma. "To ensure on-time delivery of these models, the characterization and model generation must be rapid and precise. The speed and accuracy of MSIM complements the strengths of the SiliconSmart technology."

The acquisition of the data needed to populate these model formats, especially equation-based models, requires an accurate and efficient circuit simulator. MSIM's modern architecture and efficient simulation algorithms allow users to handle netlists from simple cells consisting of a few elements through today's large complex I/Os containing thousands of transistors. In head-to-head benchmarks Legend's customers report that the MSIM circuit simulator runs multiple times faster than traditional SPICE simulators without loss of accuracy.

"Accurate library models characterized by precise circuit simulation are key to the silicon success of system-on-chip (SoC) designs," said Dr. You-Pang Wei, president and CEO of Legend Design Technology. "The integrated flow, combining tool sets from Magma and Legend, provides excellent quality of results (QoR) for the deep-submicron and nanometer semiconductor designs."

About Legend Design Technology, Inc.

Legend Design Technology Inc. is a leading provider of characterization and simulation software for semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) blocks in SoC designs. With an emphasis on productivity and value, Legend's entire toolset revolutionizes the time-consuming and error-prone processes associated with characterization. MSIM is Legend's high-accuracy SPICE circuit simulator with great convergence and extensive model support. Turbo-MSIM is Legend's high-speed and high-capacity circuit simulator ideal for timing and power simulation, and function verification. Both simulators are well designed for nanometer technology challenges, and provide excellent price performance. For more information, please visit www.LegendDesign.com

About Magma

Magma provides leading software for designing highly complex integrated circuits while maximizing Quality of Results with respect to area, timing and power, and at the same time reducing overall design cycles and costs. Magma provides a complete RTL-to-GDSII design flow that includes prototyping, synthesis, place & route, and signal and power integrity chip design capabilities in a single executable, offering "The Fastest Path from RTL to Silicon"(TM). Magma's software also includes products for advanced physical synthesis and architecture development tools for programmable logic devices (PLDs); capacitance extraction; and characterization and modeling. The company's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.

Magma is a registered trademark and SiliconSmart and "The Fastest Path from RTL to Silicon" are trademarks of Magma Design Automation. All other product and company names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Forward-looking Statements:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements that the combination of SiliconSmart technology and the MSIM circuit simulator delivers accurate libraries faster and with better QoR are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to, Magma's and Legend's products' abilities to produce the desired results and the companies' abilities to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in Magma's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). The companies undertake no additional obligation to update these forward-looking statements.