Artisan Changes the Rules Again -- Offers Free Analog and Mixed-Signal IP; UMC First to Offer Artisan's Free Analog and Mixed-Signal IP

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2004 -- Artisan Components, Inc., (Nasdaq:ARTI), a leading provider of physical intellectual property (IP), today announced that it will offer analog and mixed-signal IP at no charge to its large user community. This move expands Artisan's innovative Access Library Program and complements the comprehensive set of Artisan digital IP already in use by thousands of designers worldwide. The analog and mixed-signal portfolio initially includes a selection of multiplier and deskew Phase Locked Loops (PLLs) as well as a full range of specialty I/Os supporting leading interconnect standards such as HSTL, LVDS, PCIX, PECL, SSTL, and USB.

Artisan's goal is to enable large numbers of IC design teams to more easily integrate analog functionality into their latest designs while reducing time-to-market and silicon risk. Through Artisan's new program, designers will have access to a comprehensive selection of standard analog and mixed-signal IP that implements many of their most commonly required functions. In addition, Artisan has changed the rules with its innovative business model that removes the cost burden to IC designers normally associated with this type of high-value IP.

Through an agreement with UMC (NYSE:UMC), a world leading semiconductor foundry, IC designers will have free access to Artisan's portfolio of analog and mixed-signal IP optimized for UMC's 90-nanometer (nm) process technology. These new products add analog capability to Artisan's Advantage Platform already announced for UMC's 90nm process technology.

"UMC is the first foundry to adopt Artisan's analog and mixed-signal IP for Artisan's Access Library Program, which shows our dedication to having the broadest portfolio of IP to address the different needs of our diverse customer base," said Ken Liou, director of the Design Support division at UMC. "UMC's alliance with Artisan helps to support the unique requirements of mixed-signal designers, who will enjoy the many benefits of Artisan's IP offerings including reduced time to market and increased chip capabilities. We look forward to continuing our cooperative efforts with them."

"UMC really understands the needs of their advanced customers," said Callan Carpenter, Artisan's vice president and general manager, Analog/Mixed-signal Business Unit. "By offering a standard analog and mixed- signal solution, UMC and Artisan dramatically reduce the risk, cost and development schedules traditionally associated with integrating analog and mixed-signal functions on complex SoCs."

Access to a comprehensive set of silicon-validated, mixed-signal IP early in the design cycle is essential to IC designers' success and allows them to focus on creating differentiating technology in their products. Adding analog and mixed-signal solutions to Artisan's Access Library Program changes the economics and the quality of this class of IP by driving standardization and economies of scale. Artisan's design environment provides consistent models, views, characterization, ESD architectures and QA methodologies across Artisan's digital, analog and mixed-signal product offerings.

Product Availability

Front-end views for Artisan's analog and mixed-signal IP are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2004. Customers interested in Artisan's UMC-based library products should contact Artisan.

About Artisan Components

Artisan Components, Inc. is a leading provider of physical intellectual property (IP) components for the design and manufacture of complex system-on-a-chip integrated circuits. Artisan's products include embedded memory, standard cell, input/output, analog and mixed-signal components, which are designed to achieve the best combination of performance, density, power and yield for a given manufacturing process. Artisan has licensed its IP components to over 1,200 companies involved in integrated circuit design. Artisan is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. More information about Artisan Components, including free library access, can be found at www.artisan.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the availability of Artisan's analog and mixed-signal IP, the characteristics and performance of such products, the benefits of such products for IC design teams, the impact of Artisan's business model on the market for analog and mixed-signal IP and the future of the Artisan/UMC relationship. Actual results may differ materially, and Artisan disclaims any obligation to update or correct this information. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the technical limitations and difficulties in the development, introduction, use, integration and production of Artisan's IP components, market acceptance of such IP, the development and introduction of competitive solutions and technologies, the demand for semiconductors and end user products that incorporate them, general economic conditions and competition. We refer you also to the documents that Artisan's files from time-to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in particular the section entitled "Factors Affecting Future Operating Results" in Artisan's annual report on form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q. Artisan disclaims any obligation to update or correct the information contained in this press release as a result of financial, business or any other developments occurring after the date of the release.

Artisan Components and Artisan are registered trademarks of Artisan Components, Inc.

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SOURCE: Artisan Components, Inc.