Mentor Graphics Joins Serial ATA International Organization

WILSONVILLE, Ore., Dec. 8, 2004 - Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT), a leader in communications standards-based intellectual property (IP) cores, today announced it has joined the Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO). The SATA-IO is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of the SATA technology by maintaining the specifications, promoting and marketing the benefits of the technology and creating future interface features and specifications that carry storage into the next decade. As an active SATA-IO member, Mentor Graphics will help influence the future direction of SATA specifications as well as drive industry adoption of the SATA technology.

SATA is a storage connectivity technology responsible for transmitting data to and from storage peripherals and is the next-generation data storage interface technology. Serial ATA evolves the ATA interface from a parallel to a serial bus architecture and offers enhanced electrical and speed-related functionality as well as ease of integration. SATA IP cores play a key role in the development of complex storage applications, from hard disk and optical drives to large and wide area networks. Mentor Graphics recently acquired the complete portfolio of SATA IP cores from Palmchip Corporation, formerly the leading independent provider of SATA technology, and can now offer all speeds, modes and functionality for storage connectivity. Jim Venable, director of the storage products business unit, and Hussam Ramlaoui, manager of storage IP engineering, will represent Mentor in the SATA-IO.

"When industry leaders such as Mentor Graphics join this organization, the importance of our charter is reinforced and it provides our team with new perspectives for spec development," said Joni Clark, SATA-IO marketing chairwoman and Seagate's manager of global SATA marketing. "Mentor's commitment to SATA-IO strongly complements existing efforts to further define and develop the SATA specifications."

"Our participation in this organization is a result of our commitment to provide our customers and the design community with a comprehensive and scalable storage IP solution," said Jim Venable, director of the storage products business unit, Mentor Graphics. "Mentor Graphics has invested heavily in standards-based intellectual property, with a focus on helping customers deal with increasing design complexity, shorten development times, and achieve higher levels of design productivity. Our goal is to ensure the IP we provide meets the highest industry and quality standards, so we feel it's important to be involved at all levels of IP development and distribution, including participation in specification and standards organizations."

Officially formed in July 2004, the SATA-IO incorporates its previous incarnation, the Serial ATA Working Group, and several leading companies representing all facets of the data storage industry. The goal of SATA-IO is to drive industry adoption of the SATA interface by defining, developing and delivering standardized specifications. As a SATA-IO member, Mentor will be able to directly contribute to the development of SATA specifications and help advance the adoption of SATA in the industry.

For more information on Mentor Graphics ATA products and complete portfolio of IP cores, visit www.mentor.com/ip. For more information on the SATA-IO, visit www.sata-io.org

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 electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $675 million and employs approximately 3,800 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

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