Fast, Accurate and Easy-to-Use System Generates Models That Increase Predictability of Silicon and Improve Designer Productivity

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magma(r) Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq:LAVA), a provider of chip design software, announced today the availability of new functional recognition capabilities in the SiliconSmart(r) Library Characterization and Modeling product line. Leveraging advanced algorithms, SiliconSmart automatically recognizes and models the functionality of complex circuits and generates an efficient vector set for all timing arcs. By eliminating time-consuming, manual analyses, SiliconSmart dramatically reduces the time required to set up and characterize complex components across a wide range of process points, supply voltages and junction temperatures.

"Today's physical design flows provide tremendous flexibility, enabling designers to more easily incorporate customized IP blocks into their designs," said Suk Lee, general manager of Magma's Custom Design Business Unit. "While this allows significant improvements in design optimization, it creates more work for library teams. With its ability to automatically recognize the functionality and quickly generate complete and accurate electrical models of complex circuits and IP components, SiliconSmart enables the library team to meet the demands of the implementation team."

SiliconSmart: Faster, More Accurate Characterization and Modeling

Featuring industry-leading accuracy, throughput and ease of use, SiliconSmart provides standard cell and I/O characterization and modeling for all popular design flows and supports advanced timing and power modeling. It is a complete library characterization and publishing system that produces production-ready models with minimal setup effort. Featuring industry-leading accuracy, throughput and ease of use, SiliconSmart(r) provides standard cell and I/O characterization and modeling for all popular design flows and supports advanced timing and power modeling. It is a complete library characterization and publishing system that produces production-ready models with minimal setup effort.

About Magma

Magma's software for designing integrated circuits (ICs) is used to create complex, high-performance chips required in cellular telephones, electronic games, WiFi, MP3 players, DVD/digital video, networking, automotive electronics and other electronic applications. Magma's EDA software for IC implementation, analysis, physical verification, circuit simulation and characterization is recognized as embodying the best in semiconductor technology, enabling the world's top chip companies to "Design Ahead of the Curve"(tm) while reducing design time and costs. Magma is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices around the world. Magma's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.

Magma and SiliconSmart are registered trademarks, and "Design Ahead of the Curve" is a trademark of Magma Design Automation Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Forward-looking Statements:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, statements about the features and benefits of Magma's software are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including but not limited to the ability of Magma's products to produce the desired results and the company's ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in Magma's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no additional obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:  Magma Design Automation Inc.
          Monica Marmie, Director, Marketing Communications 
          (408) 565-7689
          
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