IN THE NEWS

Business and technology news from the semiconductor and design tool industries.

Antares (Beaverton, OR), a new broadline supplier of design automation (EDA) software for Microsoft Windows operating systems, made its industry debut. An integral part of Mentor Graphics Corporation's business strategy, the newly launched company addresses customer needs that are distinctly different from those traditionally served by Mentor Graphics . Antares will focus on users whose needs require play point tools and integrated solutions through alternative channels of distribution and support.

ArcSys, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) and Integrated Silicon Systems, Inc. , (Research Triangle Park, NC) which have signed a definitive agreement to merge, announced that the merged company will be named " Avant! Corporation ."

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Wilsonville, OR) and Microtec Research, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) have merged. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share of Microtec Research Common Stock will be converted into approximately 0.693 shares of Mentor Graphics Common Stock. In addition, Mentor Graphics and Precedence, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) announced the two companies have merged to provide a line of simulation integrations and leading-edge simulation products.

Data I/O Corporation (Redmond, WA) announced it has formed a new autonomous division, Synario Design Automation (Redmond, WA). Synario Design Automation, formerly part of the Design Software business unit of Data I/O, will focus on the Windows EDA market, providing products for PLD, FPGA, and board designers. The new division will create an independent infrastructure with all business functions such as finance, engineering, marketing and sales reporting to the division's management.

Despite news reports of softening semiconductor demand, San Jose, CA-based VLSI Research Inc. predicts the industry's book-to-billratio will remain near 1.2 through November. However, the market research firm predicts the semiconductor equipment ratio to dip below 1 for the first time this year.

Movers and Shakers

EDAC presented the Phil Kaufman Award for contributions to the EDA industry to Professor Donald Pederson of UC Berkeley for his work in developing the SPICE simulator.

Alisa Yaffa of Synplicity, Inc. was promoted to the position of president from vice-president of marketing, taking over the position held by Kenneth McElvain . Kenneth has been promoted to the CEO position. Rick Carlson has been named as the replacement for Ms. Yaffa's former position.

High Level Design announced the appointment of Jan L. Goodsell to its board of directors.

Viewlogic Systems, Inc. announced the appointment of Jose Torres as director of engineering for VHDL Simulation. Mr. Torres will be responsible for all VHDL simulation product development and the Ultraspec cycle-based simulation engine.

Exel Microelectronics announced the appointment of Edward Lane to the position of director of engineering, reporting to the president Tom Freeze .

Synopsys .com/isdweb/&lf=isd-sendtolog"> Synopsys , Inc. added Deborah Coleman to its board of directors. Coleman is the CEO of Merix Corp.

Watkins-Johnson Company announced the appointment of Robert G. Hiller as vice-president of engineering in the electronic equipment division. At the same time, Thomas R. Kritzer was named as vice-president and manager of the telecom sector in the microwave products division.

Chip Express appointed Howard Brodsky to the newly-created position of vice-president of finance. He will report to the president, Zvi Or-Bach .

Actel Corporation promoted Warren Miller to the position of director of silicon planning and strategic applications. Prior to Actel, Mr. Miller was the co-inventor of the 22V10 at AMD. In addition, Actel promoted David L. VanDeHey to the position of vice-president and general counsel

High Level Design Systems added two people to the management team. Thomas Quan was appointed as vice-president of marketing and Arklin Kee was appointed as director of business development.

Silicon Valley Research, Inc. named Benjamin Huberman to the company's board of directors.

Jim Plymale was promoted to vice-president of marketing at OrCad.

EXAR Corporation announced that Jock Ochiltree , former vice-president of Boston, MA-based Analog Devices, has joined the company as vice-president. Mr. Ochiltree will run EXAR's product development and marketing for EXAR's Consumer, Telecommunications, Data Acquisition, Industrial, Automotive, and Special Programs groups.

MoneyBits

Meta-Software announced a successful initial public offering on November 8. They will be listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the trading symbol "MESW." The company plans to use the money from the IPO to fund internal developments and improve their training facilities. The company reported income of $17.7 M for the first nine months of 1995­an increase of 34% over the same time period last year.

Viewlogic Systems, Inc. authorized the repurchase of up to 2 million shares of their common stock over the next year.

High Level Design Systems announced record revenues of $3 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 1995. This is a 152% increase from the prior year. Before one-time charges, the company had net income of $372,000.

Pericom Semiconductor Corporation filed a registration statement for a proposed initial public offering of 2 million shares with the SEC. The offering price is expected to be between $9.50 and $11.50 per share.

Merix Corporation announced the purchase of the Hewlett-Packard Loveland, CO printed circuit board facility.

Silicon Valley Research reported quarterly revenues of $2,496,000 and net income of $63,000 for the quarter ended September 30. The company also entered into new distribution agreements for Korea and Taiwan.

SGS-Thomson Microelectronics NV exercised an option for the over-allotment of 2,700,000 shares for a total of 20.7 million shares at $43.50 for a total offering of over $900 million. The total gross proceeds to the company is $377 million.

Synopsys .com/isdweb/&lf=isd-sendtolog"> Synopsys , Inc. reported revenues of $73,500, 000 and net income of $10,464,000 in its fourth fiscal quarter. Last year's figures were $55.4 million in revenue and $6.6 million in net income. Totals for the fiscal year were $265.5 million in revenues and $30.3 million in net income.

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integrated system design  January 1996