Mentor Graphics Delivers Dual-Role IP Core for Full-Speed USB 2.0 Standard and New "On-The-Go" Portable Specification

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2001--Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT - news) today introduced a dual-role USB 2.0 controller macrocell, compliant with both the current USB 2.0 standard for full-speed functions and the new On-The-Go supplement for point-to-point communications.

Mentor Graphics will provide customers with a verified and proven soft intellectual property (IP) core. In addition, Mentor Graphics has produced a reference design that demonstrates proof of function to help minimize new product development risk.

The On-The-Go supplement to the USB 2.0 specification has been introduced to provide portable devices with a cost-effective way of conducting point-to-point communications through using USB protocols. The specification allows applications, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras and MP3 audio players to connect directly to a peripheral device facilitating point-to-point file exchange without the need of a host PC. At the same time, the additions to the existing USB specification are minimized to ensure interoperability with the approximately 900 million USB-based products in use today.

The soft IP core and evaluation board are the semiconductor design industry's first deliverables from an IP provider for the USB "On-The-Go" specification. The evaluation board demonstrates how the soft core can be configured as a standard mass storage device, when connected directly to a PC. In host mode, the board also demonstrates file transfers to a printer peripheral.

"Mentor Graphics has been actively involved in contributing to the On-The-Go specification and recognizes the pivotal role that the standard will play in the future of portable device connectivity," said Dr. Susheel Chandra, general manager, Mentor Graphics, Inventra(TM) Intellectual Property division. "As the market leader in standards-based IP, Mentor Graphics is in lockstep with the standards bodies, and we are focused on delivering proven IP cores and reference solutions. The availability of the new full-speed USB On-The-Go soft core, with an evaluation board, will save our customers considerable design time, effort and risk, allowing them to get new products quickly to market."

Richard Wawrzyniak, senior ASIC/SoC analyst for Semico Research (Phoenix, Ariz) validated Mentor's strategy stating, "The introduction of the first dual-role IP block for the USB 2.0 standard and the new 'On-The-Go' addition, by the Mentor Graphics® Inventra division, is important to the market because of its timeliness and because it comes from a company that strives to deliver tested and verified solutions to customers. Mentor Graphics has once again shown its leadership in the IP market by being the first company to provide this solution to its customer base."

The Mentor Graphics Inventra USB Full-Speed Dual-Role Controller (MUSBFDRC)

The Inventra MUSBFDRC is a synthesizable, dual-role USB controller macrocell that supports both host and peripheral functions in point-to-point data transfers. Designers can now include a single core and configure as required by the application.

The major product features include:

Operates as a function controller for a USB peripheral or as the host/peripheral in point-to-point communications with another USB function
Complies with the USB standard for full-speed (12Mbps) functions and with the On-The-Go supplement to the USB 2.0 specification
Supports session request and host negotiation protocols
Configurable for up to 15 additional transmit endpoints and up to 15 additional receive endpoints
Built-in PVCI-compatible CPU I/F, optional AMBA-AHB bridge with DMA controller
Graphical User Interface provided for core configuration

The Inventra MUSBFDRC core is designed to respect the power requirements of portable devices. All Inventra USB cores are delivered to the highest standards and are available in Verilog and VHDL, with full testbench and documentation. USB device layer firmware is also available for designers of USB On-The-Go.

Availability

The Inventra MUSBFDRC soft IP core will be available early Q1 2002. Boards will be available for demonstration and evaluation at the same time. For further information on the Inventra MUSBFDRC soft IP core, please visit: http://www.mentor.com/inventra/usb-otg

For a complete list of Inventra products please visit the Mentor Graphics Inventra web site at http://www.mentor.com/inventra.

About Mentor Graphics Corporation

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT - news) 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 more than $600 million and employs approximately 3,000 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: www.mentor.com.

Mentor Graphics is a registered trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. Inventra is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:
     Mentor Graphics
     Larry Toda, 503/685-1664
     larry_toda@mentor.com
     or
     Benjamin Group
     Jeremiah Glodoveza, 415/352-2628 ext. 136
     jeremiah_glodoveza@benjamingroup.com