Cadence and ARM Deliver Innovative Kit to Speed Verification Closure for ARM Processor-Based Designs

ARM Processor-Based Kit Leverages Cadence's Plan-to-Closure Methodology and ARM-Technology-Certified AMBA Verification IP

NICE, FRANCE -- June 26, 2006 -- CDN Live! EMEA -- Cadence Design Systems, Inc and ARM (LSE: ARM)  today announced the Cadence® Functional Verification Kit for ARM® technology, presenting design teams with a low-risk path to verification closure when verifying ARM processor-based designs. The kit covers the verification process from architectural verification to system validation for both hardware and software -- all tied together with Cadence's proven Incisive® Plan-to-Closure Methodology. The result is improved team productivity, higher design quality, and greater predictability in the verification process for designers in segments such as wireless and digital personal entertainment.

"ARM and Cadence continue to deliver solutions that provide measurable value to our mutual customers," said Mike Inglis, executive vice president of Marketing, ARM. "This kit collaboration, using Cadence's Plan-to-Closure Methodology and ARM-technology-certified AMBA® verification IP, reinforces our commitment to accelerate verification closure for producing industry-leading ARM processor-based designs."

This Cadence Kit contains block-, chip-, and system-level flows and verification methodology tailored for ARM processor-based designs using the Cadence Incisive platform, Cadence applicability consulting, an ARM926™ processor-based representative design to demonstrate the methodologies, and a full suite of ARM technology-certified AMBA methodology-based verification IP (VIP). The VIP includes reusable verification plans, AMBA compliance metrics, advanced testbenches, formal and accelerated protocol assertions, accelerated transactors, cycle-callable ARM processor models, and ARM emulation LogicTiles.

"NeoMagic's MiMagic Application Processor family delivers powerful multimedia performance at extremely low power for handheld systems. As we add more performance and features to ARM processor-based SoCs, our verification challenges increase significantly," said Dr. Sudhir Chandratreya, vice president, VLSI Design and Technology, NeoMagic. "Our team has a very successful history verifying our SoC designs with Cadence's verification automation solutions. This ARM and Cadence collaboration to deliver a functional verification kit to streamline the path to AMBA compliance and verification closure is a very welcome and important step."

AMBA methodology is an integral part of this Cadence Kit and is a widely adopted and open specification available for internal System-on-Chip (SoC) communication. ARM has awarded AMBA 3 AXI™ Assured certification and AMBA 2 AHB compliance to Cadence's AMBA methodology-based Incisive VIP. This certifies the VIP correctly implements the specifications and the ARM eXtensible Verification Component (XVC) simulation interface. In addition, Cadence's AXI and AHB executable verification plans (vPlan) are certified to provide AMBA compliance to customers.

"The Cadence Functional Verification Kit for ARM offers significant enhancements for the challenging task of verifying complex ARM processor-based designs," said Moshe Gavrielov, executive vice president and general manager of the Cadence Verification Division. "Design and verification teams now have at their disposal a powerful set of technologies, supported by a proven methodology, to help them speed their designs to high-quality silicon."

The Cadence Functional Verification Kit for ARM further strengthens the Cadence Kits approach to solving the complex design challenges of electronics.

More information about the Cadence Functional Verification Kit for ARM is available at http://www.cadence.com/products/kits/.

About ARM

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from mobile, home and enterprise solutions to embedded and emerging applications. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

About Cadence

Cadence enables global electronic-design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software and hardware, methodologies, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, printed circuit boards and systems used in consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. Cadence reported 2005 revenues of approximately $1.3 billion, and has approximately 5,000 employees. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available at www.cadence.com.