Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), a world leader in semiconductor design software, today announced that Exar Corporation (NASDAQ: EXAR), a leading provider of high-performance, mixed-signal silicon solutions for the worldwide communications infrastructure, has standardized on Synopsys' JupiterXT™ design planner with Power Network Synthesis (PNS) capabilities to improve its power implementation flow. Using PNS capabilities, Exar designers create prototype power networks in the very first stages of design planning. The networks are automatically synthesized based on the design netlist and target die size, and are easily modified to explore many alternative implementations.

"Exar is very pleased with the results from the JupiterXT tool," said Daniel Tang, SoC Design Manager at Exar. "The power network synthesis and analysis capability of JupiterXT design planner provides a mechanism to quickly create and analyze multiple power network implementation scenarios, with very predictable accuracy to final power results. We can produce initial results in hours. Now, we can not only analyze minimum network requirements but we also get to experiment with trade-offs between network area and how many layers we use for a given design."

The JupiterXT design-planning tool provides comprehensive support for low-power planning for today's power-hungry designs. Automated power-planning support includes voltage region creation and placement, level-shifter and isolation cell insertion and placement, and budget-driven power-network creation and analysis. The JupiterXT design planner uses common engines with detailed implementation for power routing, ensuring that it is current with the latest process design rules.

"Exar, like many of our customers, has seen a significant increase in the challenges involved in power network management. JupiterXT design planner helps manage these challenges by allowing designers to get feedback on a given implementation of a power network early in the design process," said Antun Domic, senior vice president and general manager of Synopsys' Implementation Group. "By providing automated capabilities, companies like Exar can take the time to explore many options before selecting the best result for a given design."

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading semiconductor design and verification platforms and IC manufacturing software products to the global electronics market, enabling the development and production of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California and has offices in more than 60 locations throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/ .

NOTE: Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. JupiterXT is a trademark of Synopsys, Inc. Any other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

   Editorial Contacts:

   Sheryl Gulizia
   Synopsys, Inc.
   650-584-8635
   sgulizia@synopsys.com

SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.

CONTACT: Sheryl Gulizia of Synopsys, Inc., +1-650-584-8635, or
sgulizia@synopsys.com

Web site: http://www.synopsys.com/