PLDA Achieves IP Success with Cadence SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) Verification IP

High-Quality Results and Predictable Time to Market Cited as Key Benefits

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- May 18, 2009 -- Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), the leader in global electronic design innovation, today announced that PLDA, a leading provider of semiconductor intellectual property (IP) specializing in high-speed interconnect protocols and technologies, utilized Cadence® Incisive® USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB) verification IP (VIP) to achieve IP success for its commercial USB 3.0 design IP. PLDA said the Cadence Incisive VIP helps ensure top-quality results are delivered within time-to-market requirements.

Cadence Incisive USB 3.0 VIP improves verification quality, predictability and productivity as part of the Cadence enterprise verification solution. Part of the company’s broad-ranging VIP portfolio encompassing more than 30 protocols, the SuperSpeed USB VIP provides the ability to measure functional metrics and validate protocol compliance, attaining much higher levels of automation than alternative approaches. Introduced in November 2008, the VIP supports the multi-language Open Verification Methodology (OVM) and works seamlessly with the Incisive Enterprise Simulator, Incisive Enterprise Specman, Incisive Formal Verifier, and Incisive Enterprise Manager.

“The Cadence SuperSpeed USB VIP is helping PLDA to be one of the first IP vendors to reach the market, while ensuring it will be among the highest quality products available,” said Stephane Hauradou, chief technology officer of PLDA. “Using the Cadence VIP is enabling PLDA to achieve significantly greater functional coverage results.”

Jeff Ravencraft, president and chairman, USB-Implementers Forum, said, “The USB-IF is pleased to have Cadence as a SuperSpeed USB verification IP provider to help speed the delivery of high-quality SuperSpeed USB 3.0 devices to the marketplace.”

The Cadence commitment to USB engineering teams is underscored by its sponsorship of and participation in the SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference in Tokyo, Japan, May 20 and 21.

“Companies like PLDA and many others are increasingly relying on Cadence verification IP to ensure high quality while maintaining their time-to-market delivery schedules,” said Michal Siwinski, marketing group director of Enterprise Verification at Cadence. “Given the growing verification challenges faced by our customers, we’re seeing very strong adoption of verification IP to reduce project cost risks, with our SuperSpeed USB VIP being adopted rapidly.”

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, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. 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.