New version adds support for Mentor Graphics' Expedition PCB design software

PITTSBURGH - September 21, 2004 - Ansoft Corporation (NASDAQ: ANST) announces AnsoftLinks™ v3, software that significantly streamlines data flow from popular electronic design automation (EDA) vendor software into Ansoft's products. The latest version features a new translator for Mentor Graphics Expedition and an enhanced link to Cadence Virtuoso® for improved geometry export and solid modeling.

"Ansoft's electromagnetic modeling solutions complement the Mentor Graphics design and analysis suite of tools," said Philippe Bridenne, OpenDoor Program Manager at Mentor Graphics. "With OpenDoor, the industry's leading and longest partnership program, Mentor Graphics provides customers with world-class integrated PCB systems design flows. Our relationship with Ansoft continues to support our leading-edge customers as they further advance their board-design software."

With AnsoftLinks v3, engineers seamlessly transfer their integrated circuit (IC), printed circuit board (PCB) and package designs into any of Ansoft's high-performance electronic products to analyze, verify and optimize electromagnetic-associated performance characteristics, such as ringing, reflection, ground bounce, simultaneous switching noise (SSN), and inter-symbol interference (ISI). This ability to seamlessly re-use existing layouts saves significant engineering time and money and avoids any user-introduced errors associated with manual design entry.

AnsoftLinks v3 offers numerous features aimed at improving the robustness and repeatability of layout translations, including:

• Native project generation for Q3D Extractor®
• Native project generation for HFSS™
• Native project generation for SIwave™/Turbo Package Analyzer™ (TPA)
• Faster model generation time
• More efficient mesh and model sizes
• Automated and manual geometry de-featuring
• Negative layer support
• Mirrored and polygonal pad support
• Automatic generation of supply-plane clipping extents

AnsoftLinks v3 is available immediately for PC and UNIX® platforms. To learn more, visit http://www.ansoft.com/products/tools/ansoftlinks/.

To download a high-resolution AnsoftLinks image, please go to ftp://ftp.ansoft.com/techsup/download/web/primg/ansoftlinks_v3_images_caption.zip.

About Ansoft
Ansoft is a leading developer of high-performance electronic design automation (EDA) software. Engineers use Ansoft software to design state-of-the-art products, such as electromechanical components and systems, hybrid-electric vehicles, drive-by-wire systems, power electronics, wireless products, integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). Ansoft markets its software 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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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Mark Ravenstahl
TEL: 412.261.3200
FAX: 412.471.9427