The MathWorks and Mentor Graphics Outline Joint DO-254 Workflow for Model-Based Design

NATICK, Mass. and WILSONVILLE, Ore.--March 23, 2010--The MathWorks and Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced a joint collaboration to provide guidance on an integrated workflow for DO-254 compliance using Model-Based Design. The approach combines tools from The MathWorks and Mentor Graphics to support Model-Based Design throughout all stages of the development process, including requirements definition and management, conceptual and detailed design, implementation, and testing. Using this integrated workflow, aerospace engineers can verify designs earlier, implement in HDL faster, gain greater reuse of design and verification effort, and more easily manage requirements and test cases throughout the entire development process.

In the new DO-254 workflow, engineers begin with Mentor Graphics ReqTracer to collect and manage requirements. From the requirements, an executable Simulink model is used to develop and explore a conceptual design including implementation details such as fixed-point effects. Model blocks can be linked directly to requirements in ReqTracer to ensure traceability. Using verification and validation tools from The MathWorks, engineers can then perform functional testing and formal analysis at the conceptual model level. These design and verification capabilities allow engineers to ensure that the conceptual design is fully tested, traceable to requirements, and meets all necessary requirements. From this fully tested model, a detailed design in HDL can be automatically generated with Simulink HDL Coder.

From this stage onward, Mentor Graphics HDL Designer provides the primary environment for additional HDL development, code checking, code visualizations, and reviews. Further verification of the detailed HDL design can be performed in the Mentor Graphics verification environment, leveraging the test vectors created at the model level, using tools such as ModelSim and Questa. Formal analysis is supported by 0-In Formal Verification, for HDL model checking, and FormalPro, for logical equivalency checking. FPGA synthesis and integration with FPGA vendor place and route tools is accomplished by Precision RTL Plus. All verification results and synthesis constraint settings generated throughout the entire flow can be traced back to design and verification requirements using ReqTracer.

“Our aerospace customers have been seeking assurances that they can leverage conceptual design work throughout the software and hardware design flow,” said Michelle Lange, DO-254 program manager at Mentor Graphics. “The opportunity to integrate with The MathWorks was a compelling proposition because of their strong offering in Model-Based Design along with their desire to support a DO-254 compliant workflow. Adding these capabilities to our DO-254 workflow will reduce our customers’ design implementation and verification time.”

“DO-254 compliance is a major focus for our customers and one of the key challenges is the need to improve productivity by reusing designs and automating documentation and verification activities,” said Jon Friedman, aerospace and defense industry marketing manager at The MathWorks. “By demonstrating an integrated workflow with Mentor Graphics, we address this and also further extend the benefits of Model-Based Design from HDL simulation and analysis through synthesis and implementation.”

Adopting Model-Based Design for DO-254 certification with MathWorks tools is explained further at www.mathworks.com/do-254 , and the Mentor Graphics DO-254 approach is detailed at www.mentor.com/go/do-254.

Learn more about the joint workflow in the whitepaper available at: http://www.mathworks.com/aerospace-defense/standards/do-254.html

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 about $800 million and employs approximately 4,425 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

About The MathWorks

The MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MathWorks products are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, The MathWorks employs more than 2,100 people in 15 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit www.mathworks.com.