Actel Enhances Libero Tool Suite to Boost Performance and Support for ProASICPLUS FPGAs

PALACE Physical Synthesis Tool From Magma Delivers Average 20 Percent Performance Improvement; Libero IDE Silver and Gold Editions Now Support 300,000 Gate Devices

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., December 8, 2003 - Demonstrating its commitment to delivering development tools that optimize FPGA performance, Actel Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTL) today announced it has enhanced its Libero Integrated Design Environment (IDE) to include Magma Design Automation's PALACE™ (Physical And Logical Automatic Compilation Engine) physical synthesis tool. Through a new OEM agreement with Magma®, the PALACE software, which can provide an average of 20 percent higher performance for ProASIC^PLUS FPGAs, is available from Actel as a standalone tool or bundled with Actel's Libero IDE. In addition, Actel announced that the Silver and Gold Editions of the Libero v5.1 IDE now provide device support for up to 300,000 gates, delivering support at little or no cost for many of Actel's larger gate count devices.

"Now integrated as part of Actel's development tools portfolio, the PALACE physical synthesis tool from Magma offers a simple interface that requires little user intervention. This is extremely important to FPGA designers who typically value ease of use," said Saloni Howard-Sarin, director of tools marketing at Actel. "In addition, we're excited that customers will be able to use Actel's Libero Silver and Gold Editions to access larger gate count devices at a very affordable price point."

Seamlessly integrated with Actel's Libero IDE, Magma's PALACE physical synthesis tool provides fast timing closure and predictability while reducing design costs and design cycles. The simple-to-use tool accepts an interpreted netlist and makes optimal placement decisions based on constraints and detailed design and interconnect modeling. The Magma PALACE tool provides further benefit to the user by quickly achieving performance requirements without modifying the HDL or schematic design source. The combination of technologies from Actel and Magma provides a compelling advantage to designers of ASICs or complex FPGAs who want to leverage programmable logic in an ASIC design flow. The PALACE software initially supports Actel's ProASIC^PLUS family of FPGAs.

"We are happy to bring the benefits of our unique physical synthesis technology to Actel and look forward to further expanding this relationship in the future," said Behrooz Zahiri, director of marketing, Magma Design Automation. "Together, we've seen 20 percent average performance improvements on a wide range of applications over existing solutions. Through this relationship, Actel's will now provide its customers with seamless access to the best physical synthesis technology the industry has to offer."

The new Libero v5.1 IDE also features support, from synthesis through place and route, for up to 300K gates, a 6x increase in gate count coverage over the previous Libero Gold offering. Actel customers can use the Actel version of Synplicity's industry-leading Synplify Lite synthesis software, included with the Libero IDE, to optimize their FPGA designs. Demonstrating Actel's commitment to provide cost-effective FPGA design solutions to its customers, the upgraded software ensures free or low-cost support for Actel's larger gate count devices.

About the Libero Integrated Design Environment

Actel's Libero v5.1 IDE offers the latest and best in class tools from such EDA powerhouses as Mentor Graphics, SynaptiCAD, Synplicity, Magma Design Automation and custom developed tools from Actel integrated into a single FPGA development package. Actel offers not only one-stop shopping for its customer's EDA tools needs, but also a powerful design manager that keeps track of design files and seamlessly manages all the interoperability issues that typically arise when using tools from different vendors. The Libero tool suite supports mixed-mode design entry input, giving designers the choice of mixing either high-level VHDL or Verilog HDL language blocks with schematic modules within a design.

Pricing and Availability

The Actel Libero v5.1 IDE is available now in four editions: Platinum PS (physical synthesis), Platinum, Gold and Silver. Libero Silver may be used by qualified designers for one year free of charge via the Actel Web site. Pricing for the Platinum PS version, including the Actel edition of Magma's PALACE tool, begins at $3495.00 for a one-year license. An evaluation version of Libero Platinum PS may be used by qualified designers for 45 days free of charge. Pricing for the Gold version starts at $595. A one-year standalone version of the PALACE software for use with Actel's Designer is available from Actel for $1795. For further information about pricing and availability, please contact Actel.

About Actel

Actel Corporation is a supplier of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies, high-performance intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design services targeted for the high-speed communications, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) replacement and radiation-tolerant markets. Founded in 1985, Actel employs approximately 500 people worldwide. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACTL and is headquartered at 2061 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA, 94043-4655. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Internet: http://www.actel.com.

Editor's Note: The Actel name and logo are trademarks of Actel Corporation. All other trademarks and servicemarks are the property of their respective owners.

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