Kyocera Document Solutions Selects Forte Design Systems SystemC-Based High-Level Synthesis, Replacing Competitive Tool Unable to Meet QoR, Performance, Other Metrics

Commends Forte for Support Throughout Evaluation

SAN JOSE, CALIF., -- December 19, 2013 -- Kyocera Document Solutions of Osaka, Japan, has selected SystemC-based high-level synthesis (HLS) software from Forte Design Systems™ and will deploy it for the design of image processing integrated circuits (ICs) used in multifunction printers.

Cynthesizer™ 5, Forte's SystemC-based HLS software for high-level design, verification and SystemC intellectual property (IP) development, was chosen for better quality of results (QoR), higher performance and faster execution time, replacing a competitive synthesis tool.

As the #1 provider of SystemC synthesis products enabling design at a higher level of abstraction and improving design results, Forte has 10 years of experience providing HLS software, an advantage highlighted by Kyocera in making the selection. Also noted was Forte's dedicated field application engineering group in Japan that offered Kyocera strong support throughout the six-month evaluation.

"As we moved through our evaluation of high-level synthesis tools, Forte's Cynthesizer became the obvious choice," says Michihiro Okada, general manager of the System Device Development Division at Kyocera Document Solutions. "From the outset, it offered better area and faster speed than other tools in the evaluation. Moreover, the Forte team delivered consistently strong support. We're pleased with our selection of Forte."

Initially, Kyocera will use Cynthesizer for IP reuse. Cynthesizer's high-level of abstraction for the input language allows Kyocera designers to make small modifications to the existing code or significant functional changes that would take weeks or months in register transfer level (RTL) code.

With Cynthesizer, Kyocera moves from ANSI-C to SystemC-based HLS software, a decision made because SystemC extends C++ in a standardized way to include hardware-specific capabilities. ANSI-C does not readily support hardware description languages and, Kyocera noted, SystemC is a good choice for control modeling.

"Cynthesizer's strengths are an excellent fit for Kyocera’s exacting requirements," adds Brett Cline, Forte's vice president of Marketing and Sales. "We look forward to working closely with its design team."

To learn more about Forte Design Systems and Cynthesizer 5, visit: www.ForteDS.com.

About Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.

Kyocera Document Solutions Inc., headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a leading manufacturer of document imaging solutions and document management systems, including color and monochrome multifunctional products and printers and wide format devices. Kyocera's products are renowned for their unique long-life imaging components that provide greater reliability and less waste, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over the life of the product.

The Kyocera Document Solutions portfolio does not stop at hardware. A full suite of business applications and consultative services allow customers to optimize and manage their document workflow, unleashing the full potential of their hardware investment. Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. is a core company of Kyocera Corporation, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of advanced ceramics and associated products, including telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages and electronic components. During the year ended March 31, 2013, Kyocera Corporation's net sales totaled 1.28 trillion yen (approximately $13.6 billion U.S.). For more information, visit: www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.com

About Forte Design Systems

Forte Design Systems™ is the #1 provider of electronic system-level (ESL) synthesis software, confirmed by Gary Smith EDA, provider of market intelligence for the global Electronic Design Automation (EDA) market. Forte's software enables design at a higher level of abstraction and improves design results. Its innovative synthesis technologies and intellectual property offerings allow design teams creating complex electronic chips and systems to reduce their overall design and verification time. More than half of the top 20 worldwide semiconductor companies use Forte's products in production today for ASIC, SoC and FPGA design. Forte is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in England, France, Japan, Korea and the United States. For more information, visit www.ForteDS.com.