Faraday Adopts Legend's Toolset for Efficient Memory Characterization Based on Layout Extraction

SUNNYVALE, Calif. and SANTA CLARA, Calif., -- December 22, 2003 - Legend Design Technology, Inc., a leader in memory IP characterization and simulation, today announced that Faraday Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 3035), a leading fabless ASIC and IP provider, has adopted Legend's SpiceCut toolset to optimize the characterization process for Faraday's 4th generation memory compilers. Based upon layout-extracted circuits with resistors and capacitors, Legend's SpiceCut toolset produces simulation-efficient detailed critical-path circuits that enable Faraday's instance-based memory characterization task to be performed efficiently and accurately.

"Faraday's memory compiler products offer SoC designers high reliability, accuracy, and simulation coverage for SRAMs, Register Files and ROMs. To provide accurate simulation models, we use Legend's toolset, SpiceCut. It quickly produces critical-path circuits that reflect the reality of the silicon. We are committed to providing our SoC designers with quality IP and the means to achieve design success." said Eliot Chen, Director of IP Development Division, Faraday Technology Corporation.

"In our effort to achieve the best modeling accuracy, Faraday uses layout-extracted circuit data for instance-based characterization. To minimize layout extraction time without sacrificing accuracy, we have used multiple state-of-art methods including critical-nets and ring-shaped arrays, which are fully supported by Legend's SpiceCut toolset. The high throughput that SpiceCut enables makes it possible for each instance from Faraday's memory compilers to be characterized in real-time. Since the memory model reflects the reality of the silicon, we can provide superior quality and reliability to our customers." said Willis Shih, Senior Technical Manager of IP Development Division at Faraday Technology Corporation.

"Characterization of embedded memory is essential for silicon success of deep-submicron and nanometer SoC designs," said Dr. You-Pang Wei, President and Chief Executive Officer of Legend Design Technology. "The integrated characterization solution which combines Legend's toolset and Faraday's technology provides the highest quality memory models possible. We are pleased to be working closely with Faraday in meeting their needs for supporting customers’ state-of-the-art designs."


About Legend Design Technology, Inc.
Legend Design Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of characterization and simulation software for memory IP (intellectual property) in SoC designs. With an emphasis on productivity and value, Legend's CharFlo-Memory! toolset which includes MSL, SpiceCut, MemChar and MSIM, revolutionizes the time consuming and error prone processes associated with characterization. SpiceCut can automatically build critical-path circuits to reduce simulation time for characterization, especially from post-layout extracted circuits with resistors and capacitors. MemChar can automatically characterize the memories and generate the ‘true' timing and power models. MSL can automate memory characterization with customized setup of '.Lib-in and .Lib out'. MSIM is a characterization-oriented circuit simulator with post-layout RC reduction capability. With high accuracy, high speed and licensing models, MSIM can provide excellent price-performance.
For more information, visit www.LegendDesign.com

About Faraday Technology Corporation
Faraday is a leading silicon IP and fabless ASIC vendor. The company's broad IP portfolio includes 32-bit RISC CPUs, DSPs, PHY/Controllers for USB 2.0, Ethernet, and Serial ATA. With more than 500 employees and 2002 revenue of $96.2 million, Faraday is the largest fabless ASIC company in all Asia-Pacific. Headquartered in Taiwan, Faraday has service and support offices around the world, including the U.S., Japan, Europe, and China. For more information, please visit: http://www.faraday-usa.com

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