FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, April 8, 1998

Milpitas, Calif. -- Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing and Virage Logic, a leading supplier of physical intellectual property for system-on-chip (SOC) IC’s, today announced Virage's Custom-Touch TM and Self-Testable Memory Compilers TM will be available for Chartered’s advanced 0.25 micron CMOS process. Custom-Touch memory compilers allow Chartered’s foundry customers to embed highly optimized memory components into SOC ICs without needing specialized memory design expertise.

Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing is the first foundry to announce support for Virage Logic’s 0.25-micron memory compilers. Virage will make the compiler available this month with foundry tape-outs scheduled for later in the year. In addition, Virage has released compilers that are silicon qualified at 500MHz for Chartered's 0.35-micron process.

With embedded memory consuming up to 80 percent of the real estate on a complex chip, access to dense, fast, and low power memory cells are essential to successful SOC IC design. In a 0.25-micron CMOS process, Virage Logic’s optimized memory compilers can generate cells capable of supporting 700 MHz cycle times while consuming only one-fifth the power of previous designs. With the new compilers designers can build cells that consume as little as 0.1 mW/MHz at 1.8 V without any significant area penalty.

"We are pleased to be working with Virage Logic as part of our growing portfolio of EDA and IP program partners. These memory compilers allow Chartered to expand the range of density, power and speed options available for customers that need 6T embedded SRAM capability," said S.Y. Tan-Stahel, EDA/A marketing director at Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing. "Users of these Virage compilers can be sure that their memory designs will be optimized for our foundry processes."

Virage Logic’s memory compilers allow designers to rapidly optimize the memory for each design. The memory compilers offer a variety of features including zero DC power, flexible aspect ratios, multiple output drive options, flexible number of bits per word, and tri-state or always active outputs.

Virage Logic’s memory compilers are available in two versions: High Performance or Ultra Low Power. Each supports synchronous single and dual port RAM’s, multi-port register files, asynchronous and synchronous ROM. Virage Logic’s Self-Testable Memory Compiler (STMC) adds built-in-self test (BIST), fault modeling, and diagnostic capabilities to ensure high yield on larger memories.

The compilers also simplify the integration of embedded memories into System-on-chip designs by generating a complete set of front- and back-end model views and data for use with leading EDA tools. By combining optimized memory components complete with test and diagnostics with integrated support for popular EDA Tools, STMC clearly represents the next major leap forward in memory compilers.

"While the memory compilers used in 0.5 and 0.35-micron designs were to some degree process optimized and supported by EDA tools, they didn’t offer a complete embedded memory solution," stated Adam Kablanian, Presidient and CEO of Virage Logic. "With support for multi-range optimization, BIST, including fault models, and full diagnostics for manufacturing, Virage Logic’s new compiler family marks the beginning of the next generation in memory compiler evolution and the first tool of its kind to offer an embedded memory solution for easy ASIC integration. We are pleased that Chartered has recognized the need for high quality, optimized embedded memories and chose Virage to work with on both 0.35 and 0.25-micron."

About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (www.charteredsemi.com) is a leading dedicated foundry, offering advanced wafer manufacturing processes for a broad range of CMOS logic, memory and mixed-signal technologies. Through alliances with complementary service providers, Chartered helps customers gain access to best-in-class services ranging from design to assembly and final test of packaged chips.

Known for quality processes and exceptional customer service, Chartered is a recipient of Semiconductor International Magazine's Top Fab award. Headquartered in Singapore, the Company operates sales and service offices worldwide. Chartered is a member company of Singapore Technologies, a technology-based multinational conglomerate with 1997 revenues of S $5.4 billion (US $3.4 billion).

About Virage Logic
Founded in January 1996, Virage Logic provides semiconductor suppliers and electronics systems companies with ultra-low power, high performance physical intellectual property components for Systems-on-a-chip. The company’s products include Custom-Touch Memory Compiler (CTMC) which delivers custom design results automatically and Self-Testable Memory Core (STMC) which adds BIST to CTMC for integration into Systems-on-a chip. Virage Logic is also completing the development of an ultra-low power ASIC design methodology utilizing a patented Module Based ASIC (MBATM) architecture for standard cell and gate array implementations. With CTMC, STMC and MBA, Virage Logic has the key ingredients to provide high quality, high-value semiconductor IP for systems on a chip. Virage Logic Corporation is located at 1641A South Main Street, Milpitas, California 95035. Telephone: (408) 263-7700. Fax: (408) 263-9523. Please visit http://www.virlog.com/.