Mentor Graphics Nucleus I2C Software Helps Integrate On-Board Devices

WILSONVILLE, Ore., January 17, 2007 - Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced that the Nucleus® I2C software is now available for developing applications needing access to on-board peripherals connected via the I2C bus. Demand is increasing, particularly in convergent consumer electronics devices, for using the low-cost I2C bus to connect peripherals, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), and non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), with the central processing unit (CPU). Developers of these devices that use the Nucleus RTOS now have a robust Internet Protocol (IP) software tool to drive the I2C hardware.

Today’s consumer electronic devices increasingly require more peripherals. With the I2C bus technology, adding additional peripherals is now easier and more manageable than ever before. The Nucleus I2C software, when used in conjunction with products from the Nucleus RTOS portfolio, provides a comprehensive solution for device integration and communication for a wide range of applications. These include consumer electronics, medical devices, industrial control, automotive infotainment and mobile platforms.

“As peripheral devices become more compact on circuit boards, we are seeing products containing not one or two peripherals, but several,” said Glen Johnson, product marketing manager, Embedded Systems Division, Mentor Graphics. “The Nucleus I2C software allows the I2C bus to seamlessly integrate the connections between the CPU and the on-board peripherals. No longer do application developers need to worry about device integration capabilities on the latest platforms.”

The Nucleus I2C software is an embedded implementation of the I2C Bus Specification Version 2.1. The implementation provides the user with two sets of APIs. The first, termed as automated APIs, automates the start, transmit/receive and stop functions for the developer and provides the result. The second, termed as fine control APIs, gives developers full control on the behavior of an I2C node’s communication. This allows the developer to design an application according to its requirements.

The Nucleus I2C software supports both 7-bit and 10-bit addressing schemes according to specification, along with special address schemes. The Nucleus I2C software stack also provides support for handling an indefinite number of communication channels (data transfer between master and slaves on multiple I2C networks).

Pricing and Availability
The Nucleus embedded software is sold in source code format and without royalty fees. Licenses for the Nucleus I2C software begins at U.S. $7,495. For more information, please contact Mentor Graphics embedded systems division at 800-468-6853 or embedded_info@mentor.com.

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 over $750 million and employs approximately 4,100 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

Mentor Graphics and Nucleus are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.