Cadence Helps Jennic Tape Out Leading-Edge ZigBee IC

SAN JOSE, CA and BRACKNELL, UK -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), the leader in global electronic-design innovation, announced that Jennic Ltd., a fabless developer of wireless-connectivity solutions, has successfully taped out an embedded ZigBee IC wireless microcontroller with the Cadence Low-Power Solution. The Cadence low-power technology combines RTL synthesis, silicon virtual prototyping, and full-chip implementation from RTL-to-GDSII.

The use of the Cadence Low-Power Solution minimized design-implementation time and improved design quality enabling Jennic to achieve a 30% reduction in silicon area and a significant decrease in power consumption for its latest embedded microcontroller device.

"We needed a solution that would help us reduce area and power and also had to be more cost effective than our first generation devices," said Jim Lindop, CEO of Jennic. "In Cadence we found a trusted partner who has helped us realize the key characteristics of our ZigBee microcontroller, and above all enabled us to reduce our manufacturing costs."

The Cadence Low-Power Solution integrates leading-edge design, verification, and implementation technology with the Common Power Format (CPF), an Si2 format for specifying power-saving techniques early in the design process, to deliver an end-to-end low-power design solution to IC engineers. By preserving low-power design intent throughout the design, the solution eliminates laborious manual work, greatly reduces power-related chip failure, and provides power predictability early in the design process. This holistic approach to addressing the low-power challenge is necessary for managing power consumption in 90 nm and 65 nm designs.

"We are delighted that we could help Jennic reduce area, power and predictability, and as a result we have been selected as their partner of choice," said Sean Redmond, vice president of sales, EMEA at Cadence. "It is not only crucial to reduce power consumption in today's ZigBee devices but also to lower costs. The Cadence Low-Power Solution delivers results and enables our customers to achieve the highest quality and to get to market faster and stay competitive."

About Cadence
Cadence enables global electronic-design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software and hardware, methodologies, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. Cadence reported 2005 revenues of approximately $1.3 billion, and has approximately 5,200 employees. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available here.

Cadence is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Huse
Sr PR Manager, EMEA
Cadence Design Systems, GmbH
Direct: +49 89 (0) 4563 1726
[email protected]

Michael Fournell
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Direct: 408-428-5135
[email protected]