HIGHLIGHTS:

• TSMC to create and deliver native SKILL®-based PDKs in support of the Cadence® Virtuoso® platform to provide customers with the best user experience and highest level of accuracy
• World’s leading foundry deploys Virtuoso platform for custom design needs in advanced nodes, including 16-nanometer FinFET designs
• Key tools include Virtuoso Schematic Editor, Analog Design Environment, Virtuoso Layout Suite XL and advanced GXL technologies

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 8, 2013–In an effort to address the increasing complexity associated with advanced node designs, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), today announced that TSMC has expanded collaboration with Cadence on the Virtuoso custom and analog design platform to design and verify its own cutting-edge IP.  Additionally, TSMC has extended its native SKILL-based process design kits (PDKs) portfolio to 16 nanometers, creating and delivering fully qualified and high-quality native SKILL-based PDKs to enable all the leading-edge features of the Virtuoso platform.  To allow customers to fully maximize performance and quality of results, the new PDKs enable leading-edge features within the Virtuoso 12.1 platform, such as auto-alignment, automatic handling of complex rules during abutment, chaining devices, support of color-aware layout, and advanced routing.

“We have continued our major investments in advancing the Virtuoso platform to address the ever mounting design challenges. We worked closely with TSMC and our customers to enhance and deliver on advanced node and mainstream design requirements,” said Dr. Chi-Ping Hsu, senior vice president, research and development, Silicon Realization Group at Cadence. “The high-quality native SKILL-based PDKs are key to powering up the Virtuoso methodologies to their full potential.”

“We have a long-term partnership with Cadence on the Virtuoso platform,” said Suk Lee, TSMC senior director, Design Infrastructure Marketing Division. “The extension of SKILL-based PDK development to 16 nanometers allows us to better address customers’ needs in custom design of advanced technologies.”

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, hardware, IP, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. 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 at www.cadence.com.