SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 13, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magma(r) Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq:LAVA), a provider of chip design software, today announced that Impinj has standardized on Magma's IC implementation software. Impinj, a leading provider of radio-frequency identification (RFID) solutions, selected Magma's system after it was proven to dramatically reduce turnaround time, power and area, allowing Impinj to significantly decrease development costs and improve performance on ICs (integrated circuits) used in its RFID solutions.

"Magma's clean and efficient RTL-to-GDSII flow allowed us to reduce our turnaround time by as much as 200 percent while reducing the design area by as much as 25 percent," said Vahid Vafaei, CAD director at Impinj. "Talus(r) Power Pro enabled us to accurately pinpoint areas in the design with the highest power consumption and make adjustments that led to a drastic 30 percent power reduction. With the proven ability to deliver impressive improvements, Magma is now our primary IC implementation software vendor."

"Power-sensitive designs, such as RFID chips, particularly benefit from the low-power techniques applied throughout our RTL-to-GDSII design flow - they ensure the lowest power design and predictable results," said Kevin Moynihan, general manager of Magma's Design Implementation Business Unit. "Impinj's impressive improvements and decision to standardize on Magma software are strong endorsements of our flow's unique advantages and ability to deliver high quality of results while meeting delivery schedules and reducing costs."

Improving QoR for RFID Chips with Magma's IC Implementation Software

RFID provides a means of identifying objects via a wireless communications protocol using radio waves, and recent advances have moved this technology from bulky boxes to highly integrated circuitry. As with most wireless devices, minimizing power and area are key to achieving the required quality of results for RFID chips. With an integrated RTL-to-GDSII design flow and unified data model architecture, the Magma software concurrently analyzes and optimizes the design for timing, area and power. Sophisticated power reduction techniques are applied throughout the flow. The combination of a unique architecture and advanced capabilities allow the Magma system to deliver better results faster.

About Magma

Magma's software for designing integrated circuits (ICs) is used to create complex, high-performance chips required in cellular telephones, electronic games, WiFi, MP3 players, DVD/digital video, networking, automotive electronics and other electronic applications. Magma's EDA software for IC implementation, analysis, physical verification, circuit simulation and characterization is recognized as embodying the best in semiconductor technology, enabling the world's top chip companies to "Design Ahead of the Curve" while reducing design time and costs. Magma is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices around the world. Magma's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.

Magma and Talus are registered trademarks and "Design Ahead of the Curve,"(tm) is a trademark of Magma Design Automation Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements that Magma software reduces turnaround time, power and area of RFID chips are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to Magma's ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology, its products' abilities to produce desired results and Impinj's decision to continue using Magma software. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in Magma's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( www.sec.gov). Magma undertakes no additional obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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CONTACT:  Magma Design Automation Inc.

          Monica 

Marmie, Director, Marketing Communications

          

(408) 565-7689

          
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