PORTLAND, Ore. — Sept. 13, 1999 —Model Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mentor Graphics Corp. (NASDAQ: MENT) and Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX), today announced that they will provide a custom Xilinx version of the popular ModelSimÔ simulator. ModelSim Xilinx Edition Starter (ModelSim XE Starter) will be offered free of charge to all registered Xilinx customers with current maintenance contracts. This agreement is the latest evidence that VHDL and Verilog-based design flows are fast becoming a requirement for advanced FPGA designs. 

In addition to the ModelSim XE Starter, Xilinx will also offer and support the ModelSim Xilinx Edition (ModelSim XE) simulator. Both products are based on Model Technology’s industry standard ModelSim simulator. With more than 40,000 licenses sold worldwide, ModelSim is the simulator of choice for all designs, ranging from simple programmable logic to multi-million gate FPGAs and ASICs. 

"The Xilinx commitment to HDL simulation will make it much easier for FPGA designers to adopt and reap the benefits of HDL-based design," said Anne Wagner, vice president and general manager of Mentor Graphics HDL Design Division. "ModelSim Xilinx Edition Starter offers designers risk-free entry into proven HDL simulation technology. The transition to HDL-based design will also be eased as Xilinx customers can now access support for their entire design-flow directly from Xilinx." 

Rich Sevcik, senior vice president and general manager of software, cores and support at Xilinx added, "By working closely with Model Technology, we can provide Xilinx designers with turn-key access to world-class HDL simulation tools, enabling our users to achieve the highest levels of designer productivity. The choice was simple: after talking with our customers and reviewing the benchmarks, the ModelSim simulator provides the type of powerful, easy-to-use tool that Xilinx customers demand." 

Product Descriptions 

• ModelSim XE Starter - Aimed at customers who are new to HDL design, ModelSim XE Starter enables customers to experiment with and create small VHDL and Verilog designs and test benches.

• ModelSim XE - For customers using the Xilinx XC9500 CPLD and Spartan FPGA series of programmable logic devices as well as lower-density XC4000 and Virtex FPGAs, ModelSim XE provides a more powerful step into the world of HDL simulation. ModelSim XE supports behavioral, RTL, and gate-level simulation of Xilinx cell libraries for both Verilog and VHDL environments.

• Common Features – All ModelSim tools, including both Xilinx versions, feature a complete HDL simulation and debugging environment providing 100 percent VHDL and Verilog language coverage, a source code viewer/editor, waveform viewer, design structure browser, list window and a host of other features designed to enhance productivity.

Easy Upgrade Path Available 
As design needs change, ModelSim XE customers can easily upgrade and receive a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of ModelSim Personal Edition (PE), Elite Edition (EE), Special Edition (SE) tools and the Mentor Graphics’ Packaged PowerÔ design solution which provides a complete HDL flow from creation to finished product. 

About Xilinx 
Xilinx is the leading innovator of complete programmable logic solutions, including advanced integrated circuits, software design tools, predefined system functions delivered as cores and unparalleled field engineering support. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Xilinx invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA) and fulfills more than half of the world demand for these devices today. Xilinx solutions enable customers to significantly reduce the time required to develop products for the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, high-reliability/military, and consumer markets. For more information, visit the Xilinx Web site at www.xilinx.com. 

About Model Technology 
Model Technology Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mentor Graphics Corp., is the industry’s leading supplier of HDL simulation tools. Model Technology provides ASIC and FPGA designers with the latest in simulation technology regardless of the language (VHDL, Verilog or mixed-HDL) or platform (Unix, NT) used. With more than 40,000 licensed units sold worldwide, ModelSim is the most popular HDL simulator in the industry. Model Technology is headquartered in Portland, Ore., with 28 sales and distribution offices in the United States, Europe, Japan, and the Pacific Rim. For information on the nearest Model Technology representative or Model Technology products, call (503) 641-1340, email sales@model.com, or visit www.model.com.