CHARTERED AND MENTOR GRAPHICS COMBINE EXPERTISE TO OFFER MIXED-SIGNAL TECHNOLOGY DESIGN KIT
Leading foundry and EDA provider validate mixed-signal design through manufacturing flow for 0.18-micron RF CMOS process
MILPITAS, Calif. and WILSONVILLE, Ore. - May 20, 2003 - Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (Nasdaq: CHRT and SGX-ST: Chartered),
one of the world's top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, and Mentor Graphics® Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) have
collaborated to deliver integrated circuit (IC) analog/mixed-signal (AMS) design kits validated for Chartered's manufacturing
processes at multiple technology nodes, starting first with 0.18 micron and extending through 0.13 micron to 90 nanometer.
These AMS design kits provide the proven building blocks needed by semiconductor companies and electronics systems manufacturers
to shorten design cycles and ensure manufacturing success of analog, RF and mixed-signal ICs and systems on chip (SoCs).
Available at no charge, the Mentor Graphics AMS design kits enable the entire IC design workflow to be tailored for Chartered
RF CMOS processes. The kits provide all the foundry data files and models for use with front and back-end IC design tools from
Mentor Graphics. Designers can work within Mentor's completely integrated AMS design-through-verification tool flow, or move
seamlessly between Mentor's widely-used Calibre® design-to-silicon platform and front-end design products from other electronic
design automation (EDA) providers.
"Access to optimized design platforms that shorten critical chip development cycles is of paramount importance to foundry
customers battling the constraints of today's market. Such challenges make Chartered's open, third-party EDA and IP strategy
even more relevant," said Kevin Meyer, vice president of worldwide marketing and services at Chartered. "By combining
Chartered's production-proven, mixed-signal processes with world-class EDA flows from Mentor Graphics, our mutual customers
gain more control and predictability over SoC design and manufacturing."
"We understand the time-to-market pressures facing companies, and realize that their design engineers must focus on
product development, rather than setting up IC design environments," said Jue-Hsien Chern, vice president and general manager
of the DSM (deep submicron) division at Mentor Graphics. "At Mentor, we're committed to helping our customers maximize their
productivity, especially as they move to more advanced semiconductor technologies in order to stay competitive in their markets.
Our design kit collaboration with Chartered as a leading mixed-signal foundry yields an AMS design-through-manufacturing flow
that saves time and eliminates costly re-spins."
The Mentor Graphics AMS design kits enable chip designers to immediately begin creating, simulating, and verifying mixed-signal
or analog transistor-level designs targeted for Chartered's manufacturing 0.18-micron process. Additionally, they are currently
being validated by both companies in support of Chartered's advanced technologies at 0.13 micron and beyond. Specifically, the
design kits include: pre-configured symbols and netlist configuration file for schematic capture in Design Architect-IC, Eldo™ a
nd Eldo RF analog simulation models for functional verification, process definition files and device generators for
schematic-driven physical layout using IC Station, and pre-validated Calibre DRC, LVS and PEX rule files for final physical
verification and parasitic extractions prior to chip manufacturing.
Availability
The Mentor AMS design kit for Chartered's 0.18-micron process is available now. Companies can contact Chartered sales
representatives directly for details.
About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, one of the world's top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, is forging a customized
approach to outsourced semiconductor manufacturing by building lasting and collaborative partnerships with its customers. The
Company provides flexible and cost-effective manufacturing solutions for customers, enabling the convergence of communications,
computing and consumer markets. In Singapore, Chartered operates five fabrication facilities and has a sixth fab, which will be
developed as a 300mm facility.
A company with both global presence and perspective, Chartered is traded on both the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: CHRT) and on the
Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST: CHARTERED). Chartered's 3,500 employees are based at 11 locations around the world. Information about
Chartered can be found at www.charteredsemi.com.
About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing
products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies.
Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $600 million and employs approximately 3,500
people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley
headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.
Chartered Safe Harbour Statement under the provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, reflect Chartered's current views with respect
to future events, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially
from historical results or those anticipated. For example : changes in market outlook and trends; the rate of semiconductor
market recovery; economic conditions in the United States as well as globally; customer demands; the successful implementation
of our partnership with Mentor Graphics; the performance level and the technology mix in our fabrication facilities and
competition. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable
assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. In addition to the foregoing factors, a
description of certain other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially can be found in the
section captioned "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on the current view of management
on future events. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
