Artisan Components Furthers Library Roadmap with TSMC 0.13-Micron Agreement

SUNNYVALE, Calif.----Sept. 8, 2000--Artisan Components Inc., (Nasdaq:ARTI), a world leader in physical IP libraries, today announced that the company has signed a license agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to develop library products for TSMC's 0.13-micron process technology. The agreement provides Artisan's customers with a unified library roadmap for multiple process generations including 0.25-, 0.22-, 0.18-, 0.15-micron and now 0.13-micron. Under the terms of the agreement, Artisan will develop a complete set of physical libraries including SAGE-X standard cells and RAM, register file and ROM generators optimized for TSMC's latest process technology.

All libraries are available under Artisan's free library program in cooperation with TSMC's library partner programs. The libraries can be downloaded along with TSMC-optimized 0.25-, 0.18- and 0.22-micron libraries at Artisan's web site at www.artisan.com. All of the TSMC-optimized libraries are fully compliant with TSMC's design rules and have been characterized using TSMC's latest electrical models. The libraries include models supporting the industry's leading design tools. Artisan also announced the immediate availability of its TSMC-optimized 0.15-micron libraries.

Artisan Components introduced its Foundry Library Program in 1998 and has since licensed over 700 customers. To date, TSMC customers have completed over 150 Artisan-based designs.

``Library users count on minimal risk in moving their designs to TSMC's next-generation process technologies,'' said Mike Pawlik, vice president of corporate marketing at TSMC. ``This agreement with Artisan will accelerate the availability of design libraries as companies move to smaller geometries.''

``Artisan's reputation is based on the high-quality of our library products and the resulting silicon successes. To a large extent, this success depends on a close cooperation with the manufacturing partner. TSMC has been an ideal partner, working closely with Artisan to ensure the best possible results for every customer design,'' said Mark Templeton, president and CEO of Artisan Components, ``We look forward to extending this relationship into the future and to providing even better service to our growing customer base.''

Product Availability

As with other products in Artisan's Foundry Library Program, the 0.13-micron libraries will be available directly from Artisan at no charge to TSMC's customers. For more information about Artisan's products and programs, visit http://www.artisan.com.

About Artisan Components

Artisan Components, Inc.,  is a world leader in physical intellectual property (IP) libraries, providing high-quality solutions for many of the world's leading semiconductor foundries, integrated device manufacturers, ASIC vendors and IC design teams. Founded in 1991, Artisan's Process-Perfect(TM) memory generators, standard cells and I/O cells are optimized to achieve the full speed, density and low-power potential of each semiconductor process. Each product is verified using the industry's most comprehensive QA and validation procedures and delivered ready-to-use with a complete set of views and models supporting leading design tools. Artisan's headquarters are located at 1195 Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1201. World Wide Web address: http://www.artisan.com.

Note To Editors: Artisan is a registered trademark and Process-Perfect is a trademark of Artisan Components, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.