Nucleus PCI-X Allows Developers to Extend Speed and Bandwidth of Current PCI Solutions

MOBILE, Ala. - January 4, 2005 -Accelerated Technology®, a Mentor Graphics division (Nasdaq: MENT), today announced the Nucleus® PCI-X software, a solution developed to meet the needs for increased input/output (I/O) performance in the server environment. The Nucleus PCI-X software allows embedded developers to maximize the capabilities of PCI-X bus technology, resulting in a faster time to market for those in the workstation and server segments of the computer industry.

Business-critical applications continue to demand greater bandwidth and shorter response times from the I/O subsystems of enterprise computers. As faster and more complex I/O devices such as Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, Ultra3 small computer system interface (SCSI) and multi-port network interface controllers (NICs) appear on the market, conventional PCI bus technology frequently becomes a performance bottleneck.

The Nucleus PCI-X software extends PCI-X technology by helping increase the speed and bandwidth of current PCI solutions in order to address the requirements for higher, 10- Gigabit I/O performance. Providing easy transition and simple migration, the Nucleus PCI-X software ensures investment protection by offering backward compatibility with existing PCI-based systems and a stable and complementary technology roadmap for future I/O standard system architectures. This means that existing PCI cards and software can be reused. Also, developers familiar with PCI technology will require minimal training as PCI-X technology builds on previous standards.

"PCI-X bus technology speed has steadily increased to more than 30 times that of the original PCI bus, causing I/O performance issues in higher bandwidth applications. Using our Nucleus PCI-X software, embedded software engineers can quickly address those issues to gain a greater edge on their competition," said Robert Day, director of marketing, Mentor Graphics Embedded Systems Division.

Pricing and Availability
The Nucleus embedded software is sold in source code format and without royalty fees. Licenses for the Nucleus PCI-X software begin at U.S. $9,995. For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology by phone at 800-468-685.

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/.

Accelerated Technology, a division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, is located in Mobile, Alabama with sales offices and distributors worldwide. By providing embedded systems developers with a focus on service, well-documented source code and industry-leading non-royalty-based Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) software including modeling software, prototyping tools, kernels, middleware and development tools. AT's suite of products shorten time-to-market and provide a complete solution for engineers. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedtechnology.com.

Mentor Graphics, Accelerated Technology and Nucleus are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.