ARM and Synopsys Partner to Deliver AMBA Interconnect-Based Solutions Through DesignWare Star IP Program

CAMBRIDGE, England and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor technology, and Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), today announced that the Synopsys DesignWare® Star IP Program has adopted the AMBA® bus-based on-chip solution as its IP interconnect standard. The two companies also announced the inclusion of ARM® microprocessor models within DesignWare.

``Standardizing on AMBA solutions allows the Synopsys DesignWare Star IP Program to easily integrate IP components, which is an important step for the electronics industry by enabling efficient design re-use of IP,'' said Peter Hicks, general manager, IP Solutions Division, ARM. ``The inclusion of ARM's industry-leading processor models in DesignWare will increase visibility of, and accessibility to ARM processors and further enables engineers in the development of high-performance AMBA bus-based solutions on ARM systems.''

``Having ARM as a participant in our DesignWare Star IP program is a great benefit to our mutual customers,'' said John Chilton, senior vice president and general manager, IP and Systems Group at Synopsys. ``More than 25,000 users of DesignWare will now have access to easy-to-use microprocessor sub-system solutions based on the ARM AMBA interconnect and processor models.''

The AMBA specification is an established, open standard that serves as a framework for SoC designs, effectively providing the 'digital glue' that binds IP cores together. It is the backbone of ARM's design reuse strategy. Since the AMBA interface is processor and technology independent, it enhances the reusability of peripheral and system macrocells across a wide range of silicon processes.

``ARM welcomes this significant addition to the range of EDA design tools based around the AMBA interconnect specification,'' said Jonathan Morris, AMBA marketing manager, ARM.

Pricing and Availability

DesignWare licensees will have access to the ARM Co-verification Simulator (ACS) models for no additional charge. The models will be available in Q1 2002.

About ARM

ARM is the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions. The company licenses its high-performance, low-cost, power-efficient RISC processors, peripherals, and system-on-chip designs to leading international electronics companies. ARM also provides comprehensive support required in developing a complete system. ARM's microprocessor cores are rapidly becoming the volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, hand-held computing, multimedia digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at www.arm.com .

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), headquartered in Mountain View, California, creates leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools for the global electronics market. The company delivers advanced design technologies and solutions to developers of complex integrated circuits, electronic systems and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting and support services to simplify the overall IC design process and accelerate time to market for its customers. Visit Synopsys at http://www.synopsys.com .

About Synopsys DesignWare IP Library

DesignWare is the world's leading IP library, in use by more than 25,000 designers. It provides designers with Implementation IP consisting of more than 140 technology-independent components and Verification IP consisting of Bus-Functional Models, Bus Interface Models, and more than 18,500 other verification models, plus MemPro for memory model generation. DesignWare also provides access to high-value IP from leading Star IP providers. Information for DesignWare can be found at http://www.synopsys.com/designware/.

ARM and AMBA are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. ``ARM'' is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE: ARM and Nasdaq: ARMHY); its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM, INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM, Taiwan; and ARM France SAS.

Synopsys and DesignWare are registered trademarks of Synopsys, Inc.

For further information please contact Michelle Spencer of ARM, +44 1628 427780, michelle.spencer@arm.com; or Patrick Hall of The Townsend Agency, +1-858-457-4888 ext. 112, phall@townsendagency.com, for ARM; or Troy Wood of Synopsys, Inc., +1-650-584-5717, twood@synopsys.com; or Amy Garland of KVO Public Relations, +1-503-221-2387, amy_garland@kvo.com, for Synopsys, Inc.