Synplicity Enhances Powerful Identify Debugging Tool; Enhanced Version

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2005--Synplicity Inc. (Nasdaq:SYNP), a leading supplier of software for the design and verification of semiconductors, today announced an enhanced version of its Identify(R) RTL Debugger software that includes several ease-of-use features, delivering customers the most comprehensive debugging solution in the industry. An important member of Synplicity's product portfolio of FPGA design tools, the Identify software combines powerful debug features with the ease of use that Synplicity customers have come to expect. Enhancements to the latest version of the Identify software include mixed-language support, cross triggering between multiple instances of the Intelligent In-Circuit Emulator (IICE(TM)) and signal equivalence capability. Additionally, the debugging solution now offers support for Altera's Stratix II family of FPGAs. With these enhancements to the Identify software, Synplicity believes users will be able to quickly and easily debug their FPGA designs, resulting in a savings of weeks in debugging time.
    Marty Stainbrook, ASIC engineer, Emulex Corporation, said of Synplicity's debugging solution, "The Identify software has enabled us to trim weeks off our debugging time. Our previous method of debugging internal signals on FPGA prototypes was to add probes to the design. This approach resulted in time consuming limitations, including few available pins and unpredictable probe routing delays. Now with the Identify software, we can instrument entire modules in one go, saving a tremendous amount of time. There is no denying the benefits of the Identify software."

    Synplicity's Easy-to-Use FPGA Debugging Methodology

    The Identify 2.2 software is closely integrated within Synplicity's FPGA design flow, offering designers an easy, yet powerful debugging solution. Synplicity's Identify Instrumentor software allows designers to annotate directly in their HDL code the signals and conditions they want to monitor, then seamlessly run synthesis and place-and-route to implement the FPGA device. Once the FPGA has been programmed, the Identify RTL Debugger is run, allowing users to view actual signal values directly in their HDL code and debug a live FPGA, in-system, and at the target operating speed.
    "The Identify software offers the speed and accuracy of a logic analyzer with the convenience and diagnostic capability of a simulator," said Jeff Garrison, director of FPGA product marketing at Synplicity. "Unlike any other FPGA debug product, the Identify solution allows designers to probe their design and annotate results directly in their HDL source code. We work closely with our customers to maintain an easy-to-use methodology, while supporting powerful triggering capabilities that let designers capture and analyze the exact data they need."
    The Identify 2.2 software offers more comprehensive features including mixed-language support for customers using both VHDL and Verilog modules within their design. The use of mixed-language support within the Identify software eliminates the need for designers to manually re-implement an IP module that is written in a language different from the primary language of the design.
    The latest version of the Identify software also includes a feature that enables users to cross trigger between IICEs. With the Identify 2.2 software, multiple IICE triggers can be combined into a master trigger that controls the buffer. A master trigger from so many sources across clock domains is a very powerful mode of triggering that allows triggers from an IICE operation in one clock domain to trigger another IICE in another domain. This feature allows users to find timing problems between domains quickly and easily.
    An additional feature to the Identify 2.2 software is its signal equivalence capability. Currently signal instrumentations do not propagate to different levels of the designs. The signal equivalence feature within the Identify 2.2 software solves that problem by propagating the signal instrumentation throughout the design so that it is visible across all levels of hierarchy.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Identify 2.2 software is available now and pricing starts at $15,000 (U.S.). For more information on the Identify software, visit Synplicity at http://www.synplicity.com.

    About the Identify Software

    Synplicity's believes its Identify software is the only software tool that allows FPGA and ASIC prototyping designers to functionally debug their hardware directly in their RTL source code. This allows functional verification with RTL designs that is up to 10,000 times faster than RTL simulators and enables the use of in-system stimulus for applications like networking, audio and video, and HW/SW designs. The Identify software allows designers to directly select signals and conditions in their RTL source code for debugging and viewing directly in the RTL source code. The software can also save results in standard VCD format that can be used with most waveform viewers.

    About Synplicity

    Synplicity(R) Inc. (Nasdaq:SYNP) is a leading supplier of innovative synthesis, verification and physical implementation software solutions that enable the rapid and effective design and verification of semiconductors. Synplicity's high-quality, high-performance tools significantly reduce costs and time-to-market for FPGA, structured/platform ASIC and cell-based/COT ASIC designers. The company's underlying Behavior Extracting Synthesis Technology(R) (BEST(TM)), which is embedded in its logical, physical and verification tools, and has led to Synplicity's top position in FPGA synthesis, now provides the same fast runtimes and quality of results to ASIC and COT customers. The company's fast, easy-to-use products support industry standard design languages (VHDL and Verilog) and run on popular platforms. Synplicity employs over 280 people in its 20 facilities worldwide. Synplicity is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information visit http://www.synplicity.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding the performance, achievements, benefits and industry position of the latest versions of the Identify software. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including the performance and benefits of Synplicity's software relative to relevant industry methods or standards, design flaws, design difficulties or other problems with the enhanced Identify software and the growth and changing technical requirements in the FPGA market. For additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by Synplicity, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other periodic reports filed with the SEC from time to time, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Although Synplicity believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Synplicity cannot guarantee the future performance or achievements of its software. In addition, neither Synplicity nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these forward-looking statements. Synplicity disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

    Synplicity, Behavior Extracting Synthesis Technology and Identify are registered trademarks of Synplicity Inc. BEST and IICE are trademarks of Synplicity Inc. All other names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners.

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CONTACT: Synplicity Inc. Jeff Garrison, 408-215-6000 (Reader) jeff@synplicity.com or Porter Novelli Steve Gabriel, 408-369-4600 ext. 627 (Press) steve.gabriel@porternovelli.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE PRODUCT EDA SOURCE: Synplicity Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005