Improv Systems, Denali Software Announce Partnership to Accelerate Memory Development for System on Chip Design

Business Wire, May 15, 2000

Business Editors/Technology Writers

BEVERLY, Mass. & PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

May 15, 2000

eMemory.com To Facilitate Design of Memory Subsystems

Based On Improv's PSA Platform

Improv Systems(TM) Inc., a provider of configurable multi-processing platforms for embedded systems development, and Denali Software, a supplier of high performance memory modeling capabilities, today announced a partnership aimed at improving the efficiency of designing embedded memories and external memory controller blocks into system on chip (SOC) devices. The partnership leverages Improv's Programmable System Architecture (PSA(TM)) platform and its family of Jazz(TM) configurable processors, as well as Denali's expertise in providing efficient verification modeling solutions for memories, including its recently announced memory portal site, eMemory.com.

Using Denali's Memory Modeler software and its Web-based eMemory.com search-and-analysis system, designers can identify the appropriate memory components for their SOC device, and then quickly and easily integrate them within a multi-processor system architecture together with peripheral components using Improv's platform-based design approach. The Denali capabilities can be used to generate highly accurate verification models of the desired memories, and provide a fast route to silicon for memory-filled SOC designs. The two companies will work together to provide optimal levels of integration and automation for users of their respective technologies.

"System on chip design requires a high level of integration between processors, peripherals, and memory - both embedded and external," said Sanjay Srivastava, president of Denali Software. "Too often the complexities associated with the integration and verification of the memory subsystem are overlooked. Our work with Improv helps extend a configurable processor-based platform to give customers a complete solution for memory subsystem design and verification."

Improv has developed a unique approach to developing high performance chips for embedded system applications. Targeting the market for complex chips that have demanding time-to-market requirements, Improv's PSA approach combines the performance and customization of ASIC design with the time-to-market advantages of a programmable solution - at significantly lower costs. It supports the most efficient design methodology available for true system-level design, leapfrogging today's still untested hardware/software co-design approaches. The Jazz PSA Platform is supported by a Java-based development system and an advanced compilation system providing system partitioning, memory allocation, code generation and optimization.

"As platform-based design emerges, it is critical to provide high performance verification capabilities to designers," said Cary Ussery, president and CEO of Improv. "Denali is the leader in memory modeling and verification and gives our customers an excellent solution for verifying a configured platform. With the addition of configurable memory controllers, Denali and Improv are taking platforms to the next level."

About Improv Systems, Inc.

Improv Systems, Inc. develops and licenses configurable platform solutions for System-on-Chip. Improv's Jazz PSA Platform, which is a programmable, scaleable, and configurable multi-processor platform, is targeted to consumer electronics and telecommunications markets. Improv's solution extends beyond the hardware; it includes a complete tool suite to facilitate rapid, system level design and state-of-the-art compilation technology to efficiently map applications onto our PSA Platforms. In addition, Improv offers predesigned applications software components to jump start product development efforts. Improv Systems has offices in Beverly, MA, Santa Clara CA, and Rochester, NY. Improv is headquartered in Beverly, MA (01915) at 100 Cummings Center Suite 343G and can be reached at (978) 927-0555 or at http://www.improvsys.com.

About Denali

Denali Software, Inc. is the world's leading provider of solutions for memory subsystem design and integration. Denali's products are used to model, design, and verify memory subsystems for networking, consumer electronics, computer systems, telecommunications equipment, and other electronic systems. Over 150 companies use Denali's tools, technology and services to streamline the traditionally inefficient flow of integrating new memory technologies into complex system designs. Denali Software, Inc. is headquartered at 644 Emerson Street, Suite 7, Palo Alto, Calif., 94301; PHONE: 650 325-7241, FAX: 650 325-5724. More information on Denali's products and services is available at www.denalisoft.com