Mentor Graphics Automates the IP Qualification Process with the QuickUse IP Qualification System

WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2001--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) today announced the availability of the QuickUse(TM) IP Qualification System (QuickUse-IQ), designed to automate the intellectual property (IP) qualification process.

The QuickUse-IQ system enables designers to determine at the beginning of the design cycle the relative quality of, and potential risks associated with, the IP they're using.

Understanding the limitations of an IP core is critical to design schedules and, even more importantly, to chip quality and performance making IP qualification a crucial step in the design reuse process. The QuickUse-IQ system qualifies internal and third-party IP against industry design standards, including Virtual Socket Interface Alliance (VSIA) and OpenMORE, or it can be configured to support customized design standards. The QuickUse-IQ System also includes an automated qualification flow using Mentor's `QuickUse' design standards.

Guiding the IP through an objective qualification process, this web-based system automates routine functions to determine the qualification levels of the sample IP. These functions include checks on database consistency, tool compatibility, and design standards conformance for RTL coding, synthesis, verification, design-for-test, documentation and more. The system communicates qualification status to the design team through customizable reports, clearly identifying any problem areas.

``The QuickUse-IQ system expands on our expertise in infrastructure knowledge management solutions,'' said Phil Bishop, vice president, worldwide consulting, Mentor Graphics. ``Our mission is to equip our customers with the solutions they need for design productivity and quality and this new product helps to ensure these things at the beginning of their design cycles.''

The QuickUse Development System - The Heart of the QuickUse-IQ System

The QuickUse Development System (QDS) is a complete Internet-based knowledge management solution that automates IP management and SoC design processes and serves as the foundation for the QuickUse-IQ system. At the heart of QDS is tool-independent enterprise data and flow management software featuring an extensible core application program interface. This software core provides the base functionality for the QuickUse-IQ system.

The QDS solution enhances design productivity by improving team communication and collaboration and provides automation for standardized procedures such as IP qualification and data integration and user guidance for complex processes such as functional verification. This highly scalable solution also serves as the basis for customized SoC and IP design and verification environments which are developed in conjunction with Mentor Consulting.

(See Mentor Graphics Optimizes QuickUse Development System for Design Knowledge Management and Toshiba Corporation Adopts the Mentor Graphics®QuickUse Development System as Cross-Divisional Design Framework, June 14, 2001)

Pricing and availability

Pricing for the QuickUse-IQ system, configured with a common set of design standards upon delivery, is based on an initial license fee of U.S. $250,000. Implementation of the system includes technology adoption consulting services to incorporate the desired IP into the system, configure the database to the user's design environment and familiarize the IP administrator with the system to get the customer up and running on the system quickly and efficiently. For more information on the QuickUse IP Qualification System, contact your local sales office or email Mentor Consulting at mentor_consulting@mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics - A leader in Design Reuse and SoC Design

Mentor Graphics is the leader in design reuse and provides a full range of design reuse products and services. These products and services include the industry's largest independent portfolio of pre-verified IP, design reuse infrastructure products, IP re-engineering and SOC integration services and best-in-class SOC design and verification tools.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products and consulting services for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of more than $600 million and employs approximately 2,850 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: www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark and QuickUse is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:
     Mentor Graphics
     Leanne White, 503/685-1984
     leanne_white@mentor.com
     or
     Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide
     Jeremiah Glodoveza, 415/352-2628
     jeremiah@benjamingroup.com