Silicon & Software Systems (S3) designs right-first-time in 90nm technology

Dublin, Ireland, June 3rd 2004 – Silicon & Software Systems (S3), a leading electronics design company, today announced that its track record of right-first-time design has been extended to include IC designs in 90 nm. S3's client in this case, a leading U.S. semiconductor manufacturer, has confirmed that the IC design by S3 in 90 nm technology was fully functional on power-up in the end-customer's application. This achievement positions S3 at the leading edge of System IC design capability in an industry that is just beginning to see commercial results at the 90nm technology node.

The device, for use in the wireless communications market, is the first of twelve designs in 90nm that S3 has undertaken to date.  S3 engineers were involved in all aspects of the design from RTL, to Physical Design and Verification, through to manufacturing support.

Speaking on the achievement, Dermot Barry, General Manager of S3's Wireless Systems business unit said, "We worked very closely with our client to meet stringent milestones in a challenging design environment.  This outstanding result is a reflection of our engineering team's unique expertise and methodical approach to deep sub-micron design especially in achieving timing closure on large System IC designs."

Bernard Neeson, S3's Director of Sales & Business Development said, "Having worked on twelve designs in 90 nm to date targeting three different foundries and with eight completed to tape-out stage, S3 is clearly positioned at the leading edge of 90nm design".

About Silicon & Software Systems Ltd. (S3):

Silicon & Software Systems Ltd. (S3) is a 300-person electronics design company.  S3 specializes in System Level Design and Integration in four market areas: Wireless Systems, Digital Consumer, Network Processing and Medical Systems.

The company's success is based on a unique combination of IC, Software and Hardware Design expertise, coupled with an extensive portfolio of domain specific knowledge and customizable IP.  S3 provides design solutions for both OEMs and IC vendors including hardware reference designs.
Approximately 50% of S3's established client base is located in the U.S. with the remainder situated in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region.  S3 was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1986 and has operations in five countries: Ireland, U.S., the Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Web Site: www.s3group.com