Synplicity Enhances RTL Debugging Software and Adds New Device Support
Identify Software Allows FPGAs to be Directly Debugged with the Original RTL Source Code while Running In-Circuit

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 23, 2003 — Synplicity Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNP), a leading supplier of software for the design and verification of semiconductors, today announced it has enhanced its Identify™ RTL debugging software. The Identify software is the industry’s only software tool that allows FPGA prototyping designers to functionally debug their hardware directly in their RTL source code. This provides the benefits of full-speed in-circuit verification, which is several orders of magnitude faster than an RTL simulator. In addition, the Identify software enables designers to directly select signals and conditions in their RTL source code for debugging and view the results from the FPGA directly in the RTL source code or save the results in a standard VCD format and used with a waveform display.

The Identify 1.2 software adds support for Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGAs, Actel ProASIC and ProASIC Plus FPGAs and Agilent Technologies’ traceport cable. The software also provides support for Altera Apex, Apex-II, and Stratix FPGAs; and Xilinx Spartan II, Spartan II-E, Virtex, Virtex-E, and Virtex-II FPGAs.

“Verifying the functionality of today’s complex FPGA designs can be extremely difficult,” said Brian Caslis, director of product marketing at Synplicity. “Traditional verification methods are too slow for FPGA designs that provide ASIC-like functionality. In addition, previous verification methods do not allow for in-circuit testing, which is critical for system designs that require testing in the field. With the Identify software, we deliver an in-circuit, full-speed RTL debugging solution that allows designers to view captured data directly in the RTL source code. We believe this enables designers to isolate functional problems very quickly and reduce the time needed to fix bugs potentially from months or weeks down to days.”

“Designers using our ProASIC and ProASIC Plus FPGAs will greatly benefit from the ability to internally view their target system at full speed,” said Saloni Howard-Sarin, tools marketing director at Actel Corp. “For mission critical designs, creating artificial stimulus to emulate the real world is time consuming and typically not very accurate. Support of our flash-based devices by the Identify software will enable our customers to see how their systems work in a real-world context.”

Using the Identify software, designers can add triggers to their RTL design and specify signals to be watched. The software enables triggers on both the data path (signal values) and the control path (CASE and IF statements). The Identify software supports Verilog, VHDL or mixed designs and is capable of exporting VCD or VHDL models to waveform viewers.

Pricing and Availability
The Identify 1.2 software is available now. A multi-vendor perpetual license of the Identify software starts at $25,000 (U.S.). A one-year, time-based license for the Identify software starts at $15,000 (U.S.). A single-vendor perpetual license of the Identify software is also available starting at $15,000 (U.S.). A single-vendor, one-year time-based license for the Identify software starts at $9,000 (U.S.). For more information on the Identify software, visit Synplicity at http://www.synplicity.com.

About Synplicity
Synplicity Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNP) is a leading provider of software products that enable the rapid and effective design and verification of semiconductors used in networking and communications, computer and peripheral, consumer and military/aerospace electronics systems. Recognizing the company's industry-leading position, since the year 2000 Dataquest has named Synplicity as the #1 provider of PLD synthesis tools, announcing a 54 percent market share in 2001, the last year for which data is available. Synplicity leverages its innovative logic synthesis, physical synthesis and verification software solutions to improve performance and shorten development time for complex programmable logic devices, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), structured ASICs and system-on-chip (SoC) integrated circuits. The company’s fast, easy-to-use products offer high quality of results, support industry-standard design languages (VHDL and Verilog) and run on popular platforms. As of March 31, 2003, Synplicity employed over 260 people in its 20 facilities worldwide. Synplicity is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. For more information on Synplicity, visit http://www.synplicity.com

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Synplicity is a registered trademark of Synplicity Inc. Identify is a trademark of Synplicity Inc. All other names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners.

Synplicity Reader Contact:
Brian Caslis
408/215-6000
caslis@synplicity.com

Synplicity PR Contact
Steve Gabriel
Porter Novelli
408/369-1500 x23
steve.gabriel@porternovelli.com