Apache to Acquire Optimal Corporation

Business Wire, Oct 29, 2007

Leading System Power and Signal Integrity Solutions Provider to Expand Apache's Sentinel Product Line

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Apache Design Solutions, the technology leader in power signoff and complete silicon integrity platform solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Optimal Corporation, a leader in 3D power, signal, and thermal analysis for package, System-in-Package (SiP), and board designs. Under the terms of the agreement, Apache will commence a cash tender offer to purchase Optimal for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition Apache further strengthens its leadership position in power and noise analysis from the chip domain to the package and system domains. Optimal's production proven package and PCB extraction and analysis solution for power, signal, and thermal integrity compliments Apache's newly introduced Sentinel product line targeted at system power and I/O signal integrity.

Power is a system-wide challenge and companies can no longer keep IC, package and PCB designers in an isolated environment with sub-optimal performance, increasing production cost and risk of failures. A system-level power and noise solution with tightly integrated environment that addresses the multi-domain challenges will be a key requirement for the electronics design community.

"We see a lot of synergy between Apache and Optimal's product lines. Optimal is a leader in package-domain power and signal integrity with over 60 active customers worldwide. Additionally, its products have been validated and included in the TSMC Reference Flow for the past four years. This acquisition is part of Apache's strategic plan to provide the best-in-class power and noise flow from the IC to the package domain," said Andrew Yang, CEO of Apache.

"We are excited to become part of Apache and deliver solutions that enable designers to analyze and resolve power issues from early in the design process through silicon and package signoff. By joining forces, we can deliver much needed innovation to the semiconductor industry by creating a unique platform that addresses the power and signal integrity needs across chip, package, and system," said Dave DeMaria, CEO of Optimal Corporation.

About Apache Design Solutions

Apache delivers the leading power sign-off solution adopted by 80% of top IDMs, fabless semiconductor companies, and foundries, as well as complete platform solution for silicon integrity of SoC, analog-IP, and system designs. Apache's innovative platform considers all sources of noise that impacts the design -- such as power, signal, package / system I/O, substrate, and temperature -- Apache's silicon integrity platform enables designers of leading networking, wireless, communication, consumer, and semiconductor companies to detect, fix, and prevent design weaknesses that can result in reduced yield or failed silicon / system. Apache's vendor-neutral solutions enable designers to adopt any industry-standard physical design flow and are in production use by over 40 customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.apache-da.com.

Apache Design Solutions, NSPICE, RedHawk, PsiWinder, Sahara, Sentinel, and Vectorless Dynamic are trademarks of Apache Design Solutions, Inc.