Breakthrough Fast Field Solver Technology From Ansoft and Lucent - Bell Labs Speeds Design of Wireless, RF CMOS, and Broadband Products

Optimetrics™ Smart Parametrics and Optimization Automates Design

PITTSBURGH -- June 13, 2000 --Ansoft Corporation (NASDAQ: ANST) today announced the release of Ensemble Version 7.0 for simulation of planar structures found in RFICs, MMICs, PCBs, and planar antennas. The new version includes fast solver technology called SVD FastSolve and links to Ansoft's Optimetrics smart optimization and parametrics capability. Ensemble is a planar method of moments electromagnetic field solver for electronic, wireless, and broadband component design.

Exclusive Agreement With Lucent - Bell Labs

In March of 1999, Ansoft entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Lucent Bell Labs to include patented fast solver technology for high-speed and wireless component design in Ensemble. This technology employs a matrix compression algorithm based on singular value decomposition (SVD) that extends by 10X or more the size and complexity of structures that can be analyzed. Ansoft added a matrix pre-conditioner, advanced loop-tree methods, 3D planar full-wave Green's functions, and efficient matrix fill algorithms to round out the singular value decomposition algorithm technology. This all adds up to an Ensemble solver that can simulate designs that are simply too large for traditional methods. The new method is so fast and memory efficient that it is now possible, for example, to simulate a 20 x 20 element planar phased array for fixed wireless broadband access, or an entire MMIC cellular handset power amplifier layout. Engineers can simulate problems in minutes and develop complete product prototypes on the computer in a matter of hours rather than entering into a lengthy and expensive series of design-build-and-test cycles.

"Our fast solver technology allows customers to simulate designs on a PC that could not be simulated on multi-million dollar supercomputers just last year" said Dr. Richard Hall, Director of Development, Boulder R&D. "Singular value decomposition is a patented technology that compresses large simulation problems without loss of accuracy." Over the years the industry has proposed numerous techniques in an attempt to reduce the complexity of large matrix equations and attendant memory and processing requirements of full-wave method of moments solvers. Ansoft's new SVD-based fast solver is the only commercial product that provides the generality, scalability, and accuracy needed in today's electronics industry. "Others have claimed fast methods by exploiting ad-hoc 'sphere-of-influence' techniques-only Ansoft's solver guarantees speed and accuracy," continued Dr. Hall.

Optimetrics

Ensemble will also integrate with Ansoft's Optimetrics module for optimization of planar circuits and antennas. Optimetrics allows Ensemble users to perform parametric analysis, optimization, and sensitivity analysis from an easy to use interface. With Optimetrics, dozens of design variations can be analyzed quickly and effortlessly, components can be optimized, and design of experiments (DOE) studies can be automated. All of this leads to devices with higher performance and provides designers a better understanding of the manufacturing process for lower costs.

Semiconductor Materials for RFIC, RF CMOS, and SiGe

Semiconductor materials can now be simulated using Ensemble's bulk conductivity material parameter. This new feature expands the applicability to ICs on silicon and other semiconductor substrates. "Many of our customers need accurate characterization of on-chip components like spiral inductors and lateral flux capacitors for RF CMOS and SiGe applications," said Dr. Lawrence Williams, Marketing Director, High Frequency Tools. "Ensemble's Green's functions have been reformulated to include bulk conductivity using rigorous electromagnetics principles." Ensemble may be used to create accurate models of on-chip components for use in circuit simulation.

Ensemble Version 7.0 will be demonstrated at the Design Automation Conference, June 5-9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and at the IEEE International Microwave Symposium (MTT Symposium), June 11-16 in Boston. Ensemble 7.0 will be commercially available in July 2000.

Ansoft is a leading developer of high performance EDA software. Ansoft products are used by engineers to design high performance electrical devices and systems, such as cellular phones, internet networks, satellites, computer chips, circuit boards, electronic sensors, and motors. Ansoft markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force and provides comprehensive customer support and training.

Maxwell, Optimetrics and Ensemble are registered trademarks of Ansoft Corporation. Windows™ is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other companies and products named are trademarks of their manufacturers. Notes to editors: Graphics are available on request.