Virage Logic Unveils FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Program

FREMONT, Calif., May 8 -- Virage Logic Corporation, the leader in embedded memory, today announced its FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Characterization Program. The FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Program assures system-on-a-chip (SoC) designers that memory cores generated by Virage Logic memory compilers are reliable, manufacturable, and will perform to specification. Virage Logic plans to make this program a standard part of its quality assurance efforts.

The FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Characterization Program expands on Virage Logic's previous silicon characterization program, providing more comprehensive testing and enhanced capabilities. The program continues Virage Logic's practice of manufacturing sample memory configurations, representing the different sub-ranges of a Virage Logic compiler. Memories are manufactured by specific silicon fab partners and then tested in Virage Logic's onsite lab. This process provides detailed, foundry-specific data on the performance of the memory cores manufactured which is available to customers in an extensive silicon characterization report. In addition, test chips are available for customers to perform further testing based on the specific operating conditions of their designs.

With the new FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Program, Virage Logic has added several test features to enable better characterization and, ultimately, more robust memories. As part of expanding the scope of testing, Virage Logic now includes a much larger sample of memory types, shapes and configurations. Extensive timing and power verification schemes have also been devised and incorporated into the test flow. The addition of BIST to test chips enables further up-front, at-speed, testing. Virage Logic has also added special circuitry in the test chips and in the design of the memories to facilitate individual testing of both ports of a dual-port memory to allow thorough debugging of potential timing violations.

``The flexibility and time-to-market advantages of using an embedded memory compiler in SoC designs are meaningless if the memory block it generates fails. That's why we are committed to extensive testing of our memories and why we make the test data available to our customers,'' says Adam Kablanian, president and CEO. ``The depth and breadth of the characterization we provide is unique in the IP industry and is normally reserved for standard semiconductor products. We are setting a new standard for quality and performance -- one which we feel our customers have every right to expect.''

According to Kablanian, every Virage Logic memory compiler is put through the FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Program before release to customers and data is available in a Virage Logic Silicon Characterization Report. This program is a standard part of Virage Logic's quality assurance program and results are available at no additional charge to customers.

Silicon characterization reports are available for several of Virage Logic's off-the-self compilers. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (TSMC) is the first silicon partner to have completed the FirstPass-Silicon(TM) Program, and Chartered Semiconductor is currently going through the program. Virage Logic is also working with several other pure-play foundries to put the program in place.

About Virage Logic

Virage Logic is the technology and market leader in application-specific embedded memory. The company's products include optimized memory compilers, software tools that enable the development and reuse of memory, and custom memory design services. Virage Logic's customers include the leading semiconductor and electronic systems companies designing ASICs and system-on-a-chip applications. The memory products developed by Virage Logic are used by fabless semiconductor companies targeting pure-play foundries and are also optimized for semiconductor companies. Founded in January 1996, the company is privately held, and is located at 46501 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, Calif. 94538. Telephone: (877) 360-6690 (toll free) or (510) 360-8000. Fax: (510) 360-8099. For more information, please visit www.viragelogic.com