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Major Advance in Mechatronics Technology

30 June 1999

Major Advance in Mechatronics Technology; Analogy Unveils VeriasHDL - Auto Industry's First Multi-Language Software Design Tool

    BEAVERTON, Ore., June 29 -- Analogy, Inc.
today introduced VeriasHDL(TM), the automotive industry's first multi-language
software design tool that combines analog, digital, mechanical and hydraulic
analyses in developing and testing mechatronics systems.
    Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical and electric/electronic
components, including hydraulic, optical and other systems used in products
and manufacturing processes.  Advances in the technology have spurred
innovations such as vehicle braking systems consisting of mechanical,
hydraulic and electronic subsystems.
    Analogy's VeriasHDL "single kernel simulator" is the first product
component in the company's TheHDL(TM) open simulation environment for
mechatronics design.  VeriasHDL comes complete with a compiler for VHDL-AMS,
the recently approved open software language standard developed by the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
    Moreover, VeriasHDL is the electronic design industry's first simulator
for the new IEEE standard VHDL-AMS language, and the first single kernel
multi-language simulation solution.
    VeriasHDL was created by Analogy to provide interoperability with future
model libraries and co-simulation with hardware description languages
including Verilog, VHDL, Verilog-AMS, MAST(R), Spice and VHDL-AMS.
    "VeriasHDL is the only single kernel simulator to provide the full range
of system, behavioral, digital and analog capabilities required to meet the
needs of mixed-technology design and simulation," said Doug Lundin, Analogy's
vice president of marketing.  "It is a major step toward standardizing tools
for the design of mechatronic systems.  Using VeriasHDL's single kernel
approach, designers efficiently solve mixed technology parts of a design and
keep them fully synchronized."
    Noted Lundin, "Several forces have been at work in launching VeriasHDL.
The IEEE standard is a strong driver.  So is the ongoing application of
system-on-chip design.  The complexity involved in these issues is dictating
the use of top-down techniques in all aspects of the design process,
especially for mechatronic applications.  Mixed signal and mixed technology
have become equally essential to the design process.  Only our TheHDL open
simulation environment is addressing all of these forces."
    It took the automotive industry more than two decades to integrate
mechanical CAD, CAM and CAE tools (computer-aided design, manufacturing and
engineering).  With the growth of electrical/electronic systems in today's
vehicles, the new challenge is to integrate the diverse tools required in the
design of mechatronics components and systems.
    "Can we wait another 20 years to integrate simulators for mixed
technologies?" said Ken Waichunas, Analogy's director of strategic marketing.
"Of course, the answer is no.  New language standards are a start in the right
direction -- standards that everyone can work with and reduce the number of
software tools needed.  The pay-off is substantial.  It reduces the number of
software tools required for systems analysis.  It cuts training time and cost
while eliminating the hassle and expense of multi-simulator co-simulation."
    Analogy, Inc. is a world leader in the development of high-performance
design and analysis software and model libraries for the design of mixed-
signal and mixed-technology systems.  The company's products are used in the
aerospace, automotive/transportation, semiconductor, communications, computer
peripherals, medical and industrial control industries.  Analogy has offices
and support staff throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and is
headquartered in Beaverton, Ore.  Analogy is a publicly traded company.
Analogy's web address is http://www.analogy.com.
    Analogy, MAST and Calaveras are registered trademarks and TheHDL and
VeriasHDL are trademarks of Analogy, Inc.  Saber is a registered trademark of
American Airlines Inc., licensed to Analogy, Inc.  All other companies and
products are trademarks of their respective manufacturers.