Mentor Announces PCB Technology Awards Program

GABE MORETTI

January 10, 2008

GABE MORETTI

Venice, Florida — Mentor Graphics Corporation has issued a call-for-entries for its 20th annual Technology Leadership Awards competition, continuing its tradition of recognizing excellence in printed circuit board (PCB) design. Started in 1988, it recognizes engineers and computer aided design (CAD) designers who use Mentor's technology to address today's complex PCB systems design challenges and produce industry-leading products.

Mentor's Technology Leadership Award contest is open to any designs created with Mentor's PCB solutions, including the Board Station®, Expedition^TM Enterprise and PADS® design flows. Prominent experts in the PCB industry will judge the contest, including Happy Holden, senior technology specialist of Mentor Graphics; Gary Ferrari, technical support director, FTG Circuits; Pete Waddell, vice president of UP Media, publisher of Printed Circuit Designs & Fabrication Magazine; and Rick Hartley, senior principal engineer, avionics division of L-3 Communications.

Judging will be based on overcoming complexity challenges, such as small form factor, high-speed content, design team collaboration, advanced PCB fabrication technologies and design-cycle time reduction. Judging will start in mid-March and winners will be announced at the PCB Design Conference East, Tinley Park, IL in May 11-16, 2008.

This year, entrants will be able to submit their design accomplishments in any of six categories representing a wide variety of industries:

• PC computers and peripherals
• Consumer electronics and handhelds
• Industrial control, instrumentation, security and medical
• Military and aerospace
• Telecom switches, network servers, base stations and computer mainframes
• Transportation and automotive

Winners will be named for each category as well as a Best Overall Design. The timeframe for submitting entries is from January 10th through March 14, 2008. Entrants can apply online at www.mentor.com/go/tla.