Mentor Graphics' Nucleus RTOS and EDGE Tool Suite Support MIPS32 34K Family of Processor

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, San Jose, Calif., April 4, 2006 -Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) today announced that the Nucleus® real-time operating system (RTOS) and the Eclipse-powered EDGE™ Tool Suite now support the MIPS32® 34K™ multi-threading processor core family from MIPS Technologies, Inc. The MIPS32 34K family of cores, a multi-threading solution for high-performance, cost-sensitive applications, delivers superior real-time responsiveness for embedded applications. With its multi-threading capabilities, the 34K cores significantly reduce overall system-on-chip (SoC) die area, cost and power consumption.

The combined software and hardware provide embedded systems developers with a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for a wide range of embedded applications including multifunction printers, scanners, digital cameras, mobile handheld devices and portable media players.

"Mentor's Nucleus RTOS has gained broad acceptance among our customers, and we are pleased that their support of the MIPS architecture now includes our new 34K core family," said Jack Browne, vice president, marketing for MIPS Technologies. "Our collaboration with Mentor enables our customers to benefit from the three elements critical to successful development - low system cost, low power consumption and high performance."

The Nucleus software support for the MIPS32 34K cores includes the Nucleus PLUS RTOS, a fast, scalable real-time software system. The Nucleus RTOS enables the asymmetric multiprocessing mode of operation for the 34K processor. It can run in concert with another operating system on a single 34K core, allowing customers to consolidate multiple functions on a single piece of silicon, thereby saving on system costs.

The initial Nucleus PLUS RTOS for 34K supports one instance of the Nucleus PLUS RTOS running on each of the two Virtual Processing Elements (VPE). The Nucleus PLUS RTOS on the first VPE initializes the second VPE and controls all the peripheral resources. This enables cooperation, but distinct real-time applications run concurrently and take advantage of the two VPEs for performance gains. The Nucleus RTOS, combined with the EDGE Tool Suite, gives 34K developers an all-inclusive environment in which to build their applications from start to finish, providing benefits such as lower system cost, improved system performance, lower power consumption and additional functionality.

"At Mentor Graphics, we are excited to work with MIPS Technologies and incorporate their innovative multi-threading and on-chip DSP capabilities into our embedded software products," said Glen Johnson, product marketing manager, embedded systems division, Mentor Graphics. "The addition of the 34K support to our Nucleus RTOS and EDGE Tool Suite is part of our strategy to work closely with MIPS Technologies to support their latest core technology in order to provide the best software solution on the market."

The EDGE Tool Suite, based on the Eclipse platform, provides a set of plug-ins to Eclipse. The EDGE software includes an IDE, compiler, debugger and system profiler, all of which work together to create products from concept to deployment. The EDGE software gives embedded developers tighter tool integration, total control over the quality and stability of their applications, full control of release cycles, shorter learning curves and a common platform with desktop tools.

To address MIPS Technologies' target markets, the EDGE software supports MDI-compliant connections including the FS2 System Navigator and the MIPSsim Instruction Set Simulator (ISS).

Pricing and Availability Licenses for the Nucleus RTOS software begin at $12,495 and licenses for the complete EDGE Tool Suite begin at U.S. $3,000 per seat. For more information, please contact Mentor Graphics embedded systems division at 800-468-6853 or embedded_info@mentor.com.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $700 million and employs approximately 4,000 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: http://www.mentor.com/.