VLSI Endorses Mentor Graphics' Embedded Software Solution for System-On-Chip Design; Licenses The XRAY Debugger for Multi-Core Debugging
Christophe Moutot
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1999--Mentor Graphics
Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) Embedded Software Division today announced a
technology licensing agreement under which VLSI Technology Inc.(Nasdaq:
VLSI) will use its industry-leading XRAY(R) Debugger as the foundation for a
new product aimed at software development and the verification of multi-core
system-on-chip (SOC) designs.
Under the terms of the agreement, VLSI will distribute the Mentor Graphics
XRAY Debugger as part of its new software development tool,
JumpStart(XE)(XRAY-enabled), for simultaneous code generation and debugging
for ARM, DSP and ARM/DSP multi-core applications. (See related announcement,
"VLSI Announces JumpStart(XE) -- A New Multi-Core Software Development Tool
Suite," 2/22/99.)
This agreement extends the open architecture and productivity-enhancing
features of the XRAY Debugger beyond traditional board-level embedded
functions to the forefront of emerging SOC embedded applications. Designers
working in a custom silicon environment can now use the proven multi-core
debug methodology of the XRAY Debugger to meet their verification needs and
help get new products to market more quickly.
"This relationship with VLSI greatly advances our goal of bringing
comprehensive embedded software solutions to all designers working on SOC
applications," said Michael Kaskowitz, vice president and general manager of
Mentor Graphics' Embedded Software Division. "We can best serve this
fast-growing design community by working with companies such as VLSI to
provide turnkey verification solutions that enable designers to work at the
system-level to produce high-quality products more quickly and
cost-effectively."
"System-on-chip designers need access to tools that are flexible and capable
of executing in multi-tasking environments," said Ray Slusarczyk, director
of marketing for VLSI's Embedded Processor Division. "The Mentor Graphics
XRAY Debugger provides a proven methodology for multi-core software
debugging and is ahead of other debuggers we evaluated in overall quality
and ease of use. We are excited to include this technology as part of our
JumpStart(XE) product and expect it to be well received by our customers."
Industry's Leading Debugger for SOC Verification
Mentor Graphics' industry-leading XRAY Debugger significantly reduces the
amount of time needed to identify and resolve problems in multi-core SOC
applications. It provides a common debugger interface for all stages of the
embedded development process and supports all phases of embedded software
for SOC design, including simulation, integration and hardware/software
co-verification.
Through the Mentor Graphics Seamless Co-Verification Environment (CVE)(tm),
the XRAY Debugger can be used to develop software and hardware in parallel,
allowing users to verify system-level software, such as startup code and
device drivers, against a gate-level simulation of the target hardware.
Application development can proceed even when no hardware is available by
using the XRAY Debugger with an Instruction Set Simulator. When connected to
the final target hardware via the JTAG interface, the XRAY debugger can
provide complete control over the processor, with zero target intrusion,
ensuring rapid project completion and shortened time to market.
About Mentor Graphics Corporation
Mentor Graphics (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and
software design solutions, providing products and consulting services for
the world's largest electronic and semiconductor companies. Established in
1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of $490 million
and employs approximately 2,600 people worldwide. Company headquarters are
located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World
Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com.
About VLSI Technology
VLSI Technology, Inc. designs and manufactures custom and semicustom
integrated circuits for leading firms in the wireless communications,
networking, consumer digital entertainment and computing markets. VLSI's
value proposition is based on full-service customer support, deep libraries
of vertical market-focused IC intellectual property, unparalleled custom
circuit design expertise enabled through the Velocity Rapid Silicon
Prototyping design style, and one of the world's most flexible and efficient
custom circuit manufacturing facilities. The company is based in San Jose,
California, with 1998 revenues from continuing operations of $547.8 million,
and approximately 2,200 employees worldwide. Visit VLSI's homepage at
http://www.vlsi.com.
Mentor Graphics and XRAY are registered trademarks and Seamless
Co-Verification Environment is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation.
All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or
trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to Editors: Mentor Graphics' Microtec Division has been renamed as
Mentor Graphics' Embedded Software Division.
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