Magma and ARM Release Reference Methodology for RTL-to-GDSII Implementation of ARM9E(TM) Family

ARM9E™ family cores now verified as “Magma-Ready” IP

SANTA CLARA, CALIF., and CAMBRIDGE, U.K. – February 23, 2004 – Magma® Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq: LAVA), a provider of chip design solutions, and ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)], the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC processor solutions, today announced the release of a reference methodology for RTL-to-GDSII implementation of systems on chip (SoCs) that include cores from the ARM9E™ family of microprocessors. The methodology is based on Magma's Blast Create™, Blast Fusion® and Blast Noise® products, providing integrated RTL-to-GDSII flow that addresses logic, timing, physical and electrical effects while implementing the ARM® IP.

With the completion of the reference flow methodology, the ARM926EJ-S™ core and the ARM946E-S™ core are now verified as “Magma-Ready” IP. Results of the verification process show that ARM9E family microprocessors can be implemented in the integrated Magma environment in just 12 hours.

“Our work with Magma underscores our mission to provide easy integration of our IP with the Industry tools chains used by our partners,” said Phil Watson, Implementation Methodology manager at ARM. “We are committed to working with our mutual customers to extend this flow.”

“With this simple and straightforward reference flow, ARM and Magma provide users with a fast and predictable method to assist nanometer design success,” said Michael Ma, vice president of business development for Magma. “We will be continuing our work with ARM to provide our mutual customers with industry-leading microprocessor cores and proven design methodologies that accelerate SoC design.”

The ARM-Magma RTL-to-GDSII Reference Methodology provides implementation guidelines for ARM Partners who use the Magma tool platform. This methodology utilizes all the Magma technologies, including Blast Create, Blast Rail, Blast Noise and Blast Fusion APX. It includes documentation, scripts and design guidelines and is available now from Magma Design Automation. ARM-Magma Reference Methodology support for all other ARM soft cores will be provided in the future.

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 a volume RISC standard in such markets as portable communications, handheld computing, multimedia, digital consumer and embedded solutions. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com .

About Magma
Magma provides leading software for designing highly complex integrated circuits while maximizing Quality of Results with respect to area, timing and power, and at the same time reducing overall design cycles and costs. Magma provides a complete RTL-to-GDSII design flow that includes prototyping, synthesis, place & route, and signal and power integrity chip design capabilities in a single executable, offering “The Fastest Path from RTL to Silicon”™. Magma's software also includes products for advanced physical synthesis and architecture development tools for programmable logic devices (PLDs); capacitance extraction; and characterization and modeling. The company's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.

ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. ARM9E, ARM926EJ-S and ARM946E-S are 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; ARM France SAS; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V.

Magma is a registered trademark and “The Fastest Path from RTL to Silicon” is a trademark of Magma Design Automation Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective companies.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements about the features and benefits of Magma's system, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to, Magma's ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and its products' abilities to produce desired results. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in the parties' latest filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on form 10-K, and any subsequent updates thereto on form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The parties disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.