EDA geometry translation software paves way for accurate analysis of complex PCBs

PITTSBURGH - April 30, 2003 - Ansoft Corporation (NASDAQ: ANST) today released AnsoftLinks™ v2.5 to provide seamless data export from the Mentor Graphics® (NASDAQ: MENT) Board Station® product to popular Ansoft design tools for use in high-speed printed circuit board (PCB) design.

With the new link between the Board Station® product and Ansoft's HFSS™, SIwave™, Spicelink™ and Ansoft Designer® interfaces, PCB designers can take advantage of the additional features and capabilities of Ansoft's products while maintaining their existing Mentor Graphics design flows. Ansoft's full range of geometry-driven electromagnetic solvers allows for the complete electrical characterization/analysis of PCBs, including the effects of complex, partial, and split power and ground-plane structures.

"Ansoft's high-speed modeling solutions are excellent companions to the Mentor Graphics high-speed design and analysis environment. At Mentor, we want to provide our customers with design tool choices that best meet their needs and requirements," said Joe Dalton, director of marketing, systems design division, Mentor Graphics. "Our relationship with Ansoft, through our OpenDoor® program, further supports our leading-edge customers as they push the limits of 21st century board design."

"AnsoftLinks v2.5 enables engineers to bring the unparalleled accuracy of Ansoft's simulation tools into established design flows," said Brad Cole, Ansoft's SI product marketing manager. "Users can more easily apply our tools to accurately simulate high-speed signals through the entire interconnect path, from the integrated circuit through the package and PCB."

AnsoftLinks for Mentor Board Station is available for Windows® 2000, Windows XP, HP-UX and Sun Solaris. To learn more, visit www.ansoft.com/products/tools/ansoftlinks/mentor_boardstation.cfm.

About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of more than $600 million and employs approximately 3,100 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

About Ansoft
Ansoft is a leading developer of high-performance electronic design automation (EDA) software. Engineers use Ansoft software to achieve first-pass system success when designing mobile communication and Internet-access devices, broadband networking components and systems, integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electromechanical systems. Ansoft markets its products worldwide through its own direct sales force and has comprehensive customer-support and training offices throughout North America, Asia and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.ansoft.com.

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