Mentor Graphics Analog/Mixed-Signal Simulators Enable Widex to Verify Wireless Chip for New Clear440 Product

Digital hearing aid systems are complex battery-operated systems, including sophisticated DSP, memory, and analog/digital converters. In the recently announced series from Widex, they have introduced a new, high-end family of products with wireless functions.

The wireless chip set includes about 500K digital gates using multiple power supply domains, where the interaction with analog and RF blocks is extremely complex, particularly during the booting sequence of the chip. Widex's primary motivation for adopting a full, mixed-signal verification methodology using Mentor tools was to ensure all mixed-signal interconnections were accurately verified through simulation.

"Our investment in a new methodology encompassing full mixed-signal and RF verification using the Mentor simulation suite paid off immediately," said Morten Kroman, Vice President, Research and Development, at Widex. "For the first time we were able to completely verify this next-generation wireless chip prior to manufacturing." The design team at Widex in Denmark employed a whole range of simulation technology, including using the powerful Harmonic Balance engine of the Eldo RF tool to fine tune oscillators and PLLs, as well as top-level mixed signal simulations combining Verilog and VHDL with SPICE and fast-SPICE descriptions.

"Working very closely with our most demanding customers, we have created what we believe is the number one mixed-signal and RF IC verification environment on the market," said Robert Hum, Vice President and General Manager of the Deep Sub Micron (DSM) division at Mentor Graphics. "We are delighted when we can work with customers that use our technology to the fullest, and help them bring their products to market as quickly as possible while keeping them at the forefront of mixed-signal/RF technology."

About Widex

Widex A/S has been supplying the world market with quality hi-tech hearing aids since the company's foundation in 1956. In close collaboration with international audiological researchers and specialists, the company has developed a wide range of revolutionary products, including the world's first 100% digital in-the-ear instrument.

All research, development and administration, as well as most of the production, takes place at Widex headquarters in Vaerlose, Denmark. Furthermore, the company has assembly facilities in Helsinge in Northern Zealand and in Verviers in Belgium. Widex' products are sold in almost 100 countries and the company employs approximately 2,000 people around the world. Read more at www.widex.com.

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: http://www.mentor.com/.

(Mentor Graphics, Questa and Eldo are registered trademarks, and Eldo RF and ADiT are trademarks, of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company and/or product names are the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.)

SOURCE: Mentor Graphics Corporation

Mentor Graphics 
Carole Dunn, 503-685-4716 
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Suzanne Graham, 503-685-7789 
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