MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design and manufacturing, today announced it has enabled the IC Design Research and Education Center (ICDREC) to achieve first silicon success for the first IC designed entirely in Vietnam. The SigmaK3 digital IC was designed solely with Synopsys solutions and methodologies with the assistance of Synopsys consultants. As part of the collaboration, Synopsys trained 20 digital IC designers in Vietnam to help kick-start the country's IC design initiative.

"Achieving first silicon success on the first IC designed in Vietnam is a significant achievement, and Synopsys' solutions, methodologies and services played a critical role in helping us achieve this milestone," said Dr. Huynh Thanh Dat, vice president of Vietnam National University. "Synopsys worked closely with us to understand our process, and we attribute much of our success to this close interaction and dedicated support."

SigmaK3 is a low-cost, high-performance 8-bit RISC microprocessor suitable for a variety of electronic device applications, including liquid emission display (LED) matrix display systems, industrial robots and television remote controls. The result of a two-year effort by ICDREC researchers, SigmaK3 was designed on a leading foundry's 0.25-micron process. SigmaK3 was announced recently at the official opening of the ICDREC, which is located at Vietnam National University, Information Technology Park in Ho Chi Min City. ICDREC is the first center in Vietnam established to promote human resource development, research and technological development in the IC industry.

Howard Ko, Asia Pacific vice president for Synopsys, said, "Synopsys is committed to assisting and contributing to the growth of the IC industry in Vietnam. Our involvement in Sigma K3's tape out success is the initial demonstration of this commitment. With our leading technology, complete platforms of design tools, IP, and the expertise of our consultants in the region, we are ready to support and assist local design engineers and help accelerate the growth of the IC industry in Vietnam consistent with the vision of local community leaders such as ICDREC."

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading system and semiconductor design and verification platforms, IC manufacturing and yield optimization solutions, semiconductor intellectual property and design services to the global electronics market. These solutions enable the development and production of complex integrated circuits and electronic systems. Through its comprehensive solutions, Synopsys addresses the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, including power management, accelerated time to yield and system-to-silicon verification. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 60 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.

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

   Editorial Contact:

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

SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.

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

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