AVANT CORP
8-K, 1997-09-26
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                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                               ________________________
                                           
                                       FORM 8-K
                                           
                                    CURRENT REPORT
                        PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                           
           Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): July 31, 1997
                                           
                                           
                                  AVANT! CORPORATION
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                           
                                           
          Delaware                      0-25864                   94-3133226
          --------                      -------                   ----------
 (State or other jurisdiction         (Commission             (I.R.S. Employer
       of incorporation)              File Number)           Identification No.)

                  46871 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, California  94538
             (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
                                           
         Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (510) 413-8000

<PAGE>

ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
     
        On September 12, 1997, Avant! Corporation, a Delaware corporation 
("Avant!"), GB Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a 
wholly-owned subsidiary of Avant! ("Merger Sub"), VLSI Technology, Inc., a 
Delaware corporation ("VLSI") and Compass Design Automation, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation and a subsidiary of VLSI ("Compass") announced the completion of 
the previously announced merger of Merger Sub with and into Compass (the 
"Merger"), with Compass surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Avant!.

        Upon the effective time of the Merger, (i) each share of Compass 
preferred stock owned by VLSI was converted into the right to receive 
$1.22689 and 0.04479 shares of Avant!'s common stock, or an aggregate 
of $2,699,173.44 and approximately 98,552 shares of Avant!'s common 
stock, (ii) each share of Compass common stock owned by VLSI was converted 
into the right to receive $0.64460 and 0.02353 shares of Avant!'s 
common stock, or an aggregate of $11,602,831.26 and approximately 423,640 
shares of Avant!'s common stock, (iii) each share of Compass common stock 
not owned by VLSI was converted into the right to receive $1.43333, or an 
aggregate of $2,447,725.23, and (iv) each unexpired and unexercised option to 
purchase shares of Compass common stock was converted into the right to 
receive $1.43333, or an aggregate of $750,270.06.

ITEM 7. EXHIBITS
          
          EXHIBIT   DESCRIPTION
          -------   -----------
          2.1       Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated July 31, 1997, as
                    amended on August 27, 1997

          99.1      Press release dated September 12, 1997, announcing the 
                    effectiveness of the Merger


                                       2
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                                   SIGNATURES
                                           
                                           
        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                            Avant! Corporation


Date:  September 26, 1997                   /s/  John P. Huyett
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            John P. Huyett
                                            Vice President of Finance, Treasurer
                                            and Principal Accounting Officer

                                       3

<PAGE>

                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

                              DATED AS OF JULY 31, 1997,

                                        AMONG

                                 AVANT! CORPORATION,

                             GB ACQUISITION CORPORATION,

                           COMPASS DESIGN AUTOMATION, INC.,

                                         AND

                                VLSI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
<PAGE>

                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
ARTICLE I: THE MERGER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
      1.1  Merger; Effective Time of the Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
      1.2  Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
      1.3  Effects of the Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
      1.4  Escrow  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ARTICLE II: EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT
      CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES; SUPPLEMENTARY ACTION . . . . .2
      2.1  Effect on Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
      2.2  Exchange of Certificates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
      2.3  Supplementary Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

ARTICLE III: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPASS . . . . . . . . . . .7
      3.1  Organization, Standing and Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
      3.2  Capital Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
      3.3  Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
      3.4  Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
      3.5  Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
      3.6  Payables; Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
      3.7  Compliance with Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
      3.8  No Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
      3.9  Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
      3.10 Conduct in the Ordinary Course  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
      3.11 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
      3.12 Documents and Information Supplied  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
      3.13 Certain Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
      3.14 Employee Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
      3.15 Major Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
      3.16 Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
      3.17 Intellectual Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
      3.18 Employee Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
      3.19 Restrictions on Business Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
      3.20 Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and Encumbrances:
            Condition of Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
      3.21 Governmental Authorizations and Licenses  . . . . . . . . . . . 22
      3.22 Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
      3.23 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
      3.24 Labor Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
      3.25 Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
      3.26 Questionable Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27


                                       i
<PAGE>

      3.27 Third-Party Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
      3.28 Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
      3.29 Customers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
      3.30 Bank Accounts and Powers of Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
      3.31 Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
      3.32 Brokers or Finders; Professional Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ARTICLE IV: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AVANT! AND SUB. . . . . . . 28
      4.1  Organization; Standing and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
      4.2  Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
      4.3  Valid Issuance of Shares of Common Stock of Avant! . . . . . . 29
      4.4  Avant!. Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
      4.5  Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
      4.6  Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
      4.7  Restrictions on Business Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
      4.8  Brokers or Finders; Professional Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
      4.9  Conduct in the Ordinary Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
      4.10 Third-Party Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
      4.11 Due Diligence Investigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

ARTICLE V: CONDUCT AND TRANSACTIONS PRIOR TO EFFECTIVE TIME; ADDITIONAL
      AGREEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
      5.1  Conduct of Business of Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
      5.2  Access to Information; Provision of Interim Financial 
            Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
      5.3  Compass Stockholders' Consent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
      5.4  Exclusivity; Acquisition Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
      5.5  Breach of Representations, Warranties, Agreements 
            and Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
      5.6  Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
      5.7  Best Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
      5.8  Legal Conditions to the Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
      5.9  Public Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
      5.10 Affiliates Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
      5.11 Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
      5.12 Information to be Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
      5.13 Form S-3 Registration Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
      5.14 Schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
      5.15 Certain Benefit Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
      5.16 HSR Act Filing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
      5.17 Listing of Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
      5.18 Voting Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

ARTICLE VI: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
      6.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger . . 40
      6.2  Conditions of Obligations of Avant! and Sub. . . . . . . . . . 41
      6.3  Conditions of Obligation of Compass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42


                                      ii
<PAGE>

ARTICLE VII: INDEMNITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
      7.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants 
            and Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
      7.2  Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
      7.3  Termination of Indemnity and Representations and Warranties. . 45

ARTICLE VIII: TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
      8.1  Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

ARTICLE IX: GENERAL PROVISIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
      9.1  Amendment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
      9.2  Extension; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
      9.3  Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
      9.4  Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
      9.5  Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
      9.6  Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
      9.7  No Transfer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
      9.8  Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
      9.9  Other Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
      9.10 Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
      9.11 Absence of Third-Party Beneficiary Rights. . . . . . . . . . . 49
      9.12 Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49


EXHIBITS

1.1       Certificate of Merger
1.3(a)    Certificate of Incorporation
1.3(b)    Bylaws
1.4       Escrow Agreement
2.1(c)    Allocation of Merger Consideration Among Company Stockholders
3.2       Voting Agreement
5.10(a)   Affiliates Agreement 


SCHEDULES

2.1(d)    Holders of Compass Options Exercisable for Common Stock
2.1(e)    Stock Options Exercised
3.2(a)    Capital Structure
3.2(b)    Compliance with Securities Laws
3.2(e)    Stockholders Party to the Voting Agreement
3.3(a)    Subsidiaries
3.3(b)    Jurisdictions Qualified to do Business
3.5       Financial Statements
3.6       Receivables
3.7       Exceptions to Compliance with Laws
3.8       List of Defaults
3.9       Pending Litigation


                                    iii
<PAGE>

3.10      Exceptions to Conduct in the Ordinary Course
3.11      Undisclosed Liabilities
3.13      Certain Agreements
3.14      Compass Compensation Plans
3.15      Major Contracts
3.16      Taxes
3.17      Compass Intellectual Property Rights
3.18      Proprietary Information Agreements
3.19      Restrictions on Business Activities
3.20      Real Property Leased; Physical Assets
3.21      Governmental Authorizations and Licenses
3.22      Environmental Matters
3.23      Insurance
3.25      Personnel
3.27      Third-Party Consents
3.28      Related Party Transactions
3.29      Customers 
3.30      Bank Accounts and Powers of Attorney
5.10      List of Affiliates


                                      iv
<PAGE>

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION is dated as of July 31, 1997, 
by and among Avant! Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Avant!"), GB 
Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary 
of Avant! ("Sub"), Compass Design Automation, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
("Compass"), and VLSI Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("VLSI").

     INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, and in consideration of the promises and 
mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, Avant!, Sub, Compass and 
VLSI hereby agree as follows:

                                 ARTICLE I:
                                 THE MERGER
                                           
     1.1  MERGER; EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER.  Subject to the terms and 
conditions of this Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (this "Agreement") 
and as contemplated by the Certificate of Merger attached hereto as EXHIBIT 
1.1 (the "Certificate of Merger"), Sub will be merged with and into Compass 
(the "Merger") in accordance with the applicable provisions of the General 
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL").  The Certificate of 
Merger provides, among other things, the mode of effecting the Merger and the 
manner and basis of converting each issued and outstanding share of capital 
stock of Compass into shares of Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share, of 
Avant! ("Avant! Common Stock").  The Certificate of Merger shall be executed 
by Compass, Avant! and Sub prior to the Effective Date of the Merger (as 
defined in this Section 1.1).

     Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger 
shall be filed in accordance with the DGCL on the Closing Date (as defined in 
Section 1.2).  The Merger shall become effective upon such filing of the 
Certificate of Merger (the date of such filing being hereinafter referred to 
as the "Effective Date of the Merger" and the time of confirmation of such 
filing being hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Time of the Merger") 
in the State of Delaware.

     1.2  CLOSING.  The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place 
as soon as practicable on the first business day after satisfaction or waiver 
of the conditions precedent set forth in Article VI of this Agreement (the 
"Closing Date"), at the offices of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve 
Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, 155 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, California 
94025, unless a different date or place is agreed to in writing by Avant!, 
Sub and Compass.

     1.3  EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.  At the Effective Time of the Merger, (a) 
the separate existence of Sub shall cease and Sub shall be merged with and 
into Compass (Sub and Compass are sometimes referred to herein as the 
"Constituent Corporations" and Compass after the Merger is sometimes referred 
to herein as the "Surviving Corporation"), (b) the Certificate of 
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be set forth in EXHIBIT 
1.3(a) hereto, (c) the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be set forth 
in EXHIBIT 1.3(b) hereto, (d) the directors 


<PAGE>

of the Surviving Corporation shall be Gerald C. Hsu and John P. Huyett, (e) 
the officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be Gerald C. Hsu, President 
and Chief Executive Officer and John P. Huyett, Vice President, Chief 
Financial Officer and Secretary and (f) the Merger shall, from and after the 
Effective Time of the Merger, have all the effects provided by applicable 
law.  

     1.4  ESCROW.  An amount of (a) the aggregate cash payment to be made to 
VLSI Technology, Inc. ("VLSI") and (b) the aggregate number of shares of 
Avant! Common Stock issuable to VLSI in connection with the Merger equal to 
ten percent (10%) of the total consideration paid by Avant! in the Merger 
(the "Escrow Proceeds") shall be held in escrow as collateral for the 
indemnification obligations of Compass pursuant to Article VII of this 
Agreement and the provisions of an escrow agreement ("Escrow Agreement") in 
the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT 1.4.  The Escrow Proceeds shall be 
withheld pro rata from proceeds to be received by VLSI upon exchange of 
Compass shares for the right to receive cash and/or shares of Avant! Common 
Stock. 

                                   ARTICLE II:
                      EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL
                     STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS;
                 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES;  SUPPLEMENTARY ACTION

     2.1  EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK.  As of the Effective Time of the Merger, 
by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of 
any shares of capital stock of Compass:

          (a)  CAPITAL STOCK OF SUB.  All issued and outstanding shares of 
capital stock of Sub shall continue to be issued and outstanding and shall be 
converted into 1,000 shares of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation.  
Each stock certificate of Sub evidencing ownership of any such shares shall 
thereafter evidence ownership of such shares of capital stock of the 
Surviving Corporation into which such shares of stock of Sub have converted.

          (b)  CANCELLATION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF COMPASS.

               (i) All shares of capital stock of Compass that are owned 
directly or indirectly by Compass or by any entity controlled by Compass 
shall be canceled and no stock of Avant! or other consideration shall be 
delivered in exchange therefor.  For this purpose, a controlled entity shall 
mean a corporation or other entity whose voting securities are owned or are 
otherwise controlled directly or indirectly by a parent corporation or other 
intermediary entity in an amount sufficient to elect at least a majority of 
the board of directors or other managers of such corporation or other entity. 

               (ii) Each holder of a certificate representing any shares of 
Compass capital stock after the Effective Time of the Merger shall cease to 
have any rights with respect to such shares, except the right either to 
receive cash and/or shares of Avant! Common Stock upon surrender of such 
certificate, or to exercise such holder's dissenters' rights, if applicable, 
as provided in Section 2.1(f) hereof and pursuant to the DGCL, or 
alternatively, the 


                                       2
<PAGE>

California General Corporation Law (the "CGCL"), to the extent Compass is 
determined to be a foreign corporation contemplated by Section 2115 of the 
CGCL.

          (c)  CONVERSION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF COMPASS.  Subject to Section 
2.2, at the Effective Time of the Merger, by virtue of the Merger and without 
any action on the part of the holders thereof:

               (i) CONVERSION OF COMPASS PREFERRED STOCK.  Each share of the 
Series A Preferred Stock of Compass (the "Compass Preferred Stock") issued 
and outstanding at the Effective Time of the Merger (other than any shares of 
Compass Preferred Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) and any 
Dissenting Shares (as defined and to the extent provided in Section 2.1(f)) 
shall be canceled and extinguished and be converted automatically into the 
right to receive that portion of the aggregate amount of $43,800,000 (the 
"Merger Consideration") to which such share of Compass Preferred Stock is 
entitled under, and in accordance with, Article Four, Section 2(a) of the 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Compass (the "Liquidation 
Preference").  Such Liquidation Preference equals the sum of $1.00 per share 
plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.  Additionally, the holders of Compass 
Preferred Stock shall share ratably in the difference between the Merger 
Consideration and the Liquidation Preference (the "Net Merger Consideration") 
with the holders of the Common Stock of Compass and the holders of vested 
options to purchase Common Stock of Compass (assuming that all such options 
have been exercised).  The Liquidation Preference plus the portion of the Net 
Merger Consideration payable to the holders of Compass Preferred Stock 
pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(i) (the "Compass Preferred Stock 
Consideration") shall be payable in a combination of cash and shares of 
Avant! Common Stock.  For the purpose of determining the number of shares of 
Avant! Common Stock issuable to the holders of the Compass Preferred Stock, 
the price of the Avant! Common Stock shall be closing sales price of Avant! 
Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market for the five (5) 
consecutive trading days ending three (3) business days prior to the Closing 
Date of the Merger (the "Average Nasdaq Per Share Price").  The total dollar 
and share amounts of the Compass Preferred Stock Consideration allocated to 
the holders of Compass Preferred Stock is set forth in EXHIBIT 2.1(c), 
subject to appropriate adjustments at the Closing to reflect the total of 
accrued but unpaid dividends as of such date and the Average Nasdaq Per Share 
Price.

               (ii) CONVERSION OF COMPASS COMMON STOCK OWNED BY VLSI.  Each 
share of the Common Stock of Compass issued and outstanding and owned by VLSI 
Technology, Inc. ("VLSI") immediately prior to the Effective Time of the 
Merger (other than any shares of Compass Common Stock to be canceled pursuant 
to Section 2.1(b)(i) and any Dissenting Shares (as defined and to the extent 
provided in Section 2.1(f)) (the "VLSI-Owned Common Stock") shall be canceled 
and extinguished and be converted automatically into the right to share 
ratably in the Net Merger Consideration with the holders of the Compass 
Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock of Compass (excluding 
VLSI-Owned Common Stock) and the holders of vested options to purchase Common 
Stock of Compass (assuming that all such options have been exercised).  Such 
portion of the Net Merger Consideration payable to VLSI pursuant to this 
Section 2.1(c)(ii) shall be payable in a combination of cash and shares of 
Avant! Common Stock.  For the purpose of determining the number of shares of 
Avant! Common Stock 


                                       3
<PAGE>

issuable to VLSI pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(ii), the price of the Avant! 
Common Stock shall be the Average Nasdaq Per Share Price.  The total dollar 
and share amounts of such portion of the Net Merger Consideration allocated 
to VLSI pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(ii) is set forth in EXHIBIT 2.1(C), 
subject to appropriate adjustments at the Closing to reflect the total of 
accrued but unpaid dividends as of such date and the Average Nasdaq Per Share 
Price.

               (iii) CONVERSION OF COMPASS COMMON STOCK NOT OWNED BY VLSI.  
Each share of the Common Stock of Compass issued and outstanding immediately 
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (other than any shares of the 
VLSI-Owned Common Stock, any shares of Compass Common Stock to be canceled 
pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) and any Dissenting Shares (as defined and to 
the extent provided in Section 2.1(f)) shall be canceled and extinguished and 
be converted automatically into the right to share ratably in the Net Merger 
Consideration with the holders of the Compass Preferred Stock, the holders of 
the VLSI-Owned Common Stock of Compass and the holders of vested options to 
purchase Common Stock of Compass (assuming that all such options have been 
exercised).  Such portion of the Net Merger Consideration allocated to the 
holders of the Common Stock of Compass pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(iii) 
shall be payable in cash.  The total dollar amount of such portion of the Net 
Merger Consideration allocated to the holders of the Common Stock of Compass 
pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(iii) is set forth in EXHIBIT 2.1(C), subject 
to appropriate adjustments at the Closing to reflect the total of accrued but 
unpaid dividends as of such date and the Average Nasdaq Per Share Price.

          (d)  CONVERSION OF COMPASS OPTIONS.  At the Effective Time of the 
Merger, each unexpired and unexercised option to purchase shares of Compass 
Common Stock (a "Compass Option") granted under the stock option plans and 
agreements or other agreements of Compass outstanding immediately prior to 
the Effective Time of the Merger shall terminate and be converted into a 
right to receive a cash payment to the extent exercisable for vested shares 
(the "Option Payment") from Avant!.  SCHEDULE 2.1(D) hereto sets forth a true 
and complete list as of the date hereof of all holders of Compass Options to 
purchase shares of Compass Common Stock, including the number of shares of 
Compass Common Stock subject to such options, a breakdown as between vested 
and unvested options, the exercise price per share and the term of such 
options and the residence address of each such holder.  Three (3) days prior 
to the Closing Date, Compass shall deliver to Avant! an updated SCHEDULE 
2.1(D) hereto current as of the Closing Date.  With respect to each Compass 
Option, the amount of the Option Payment shall be equal to the product of (a) 
the pro rata share of the Net Merger Consideration minus the exercise price 
per share of such Option multiplied by (b) the number of shares for which 
such Option is exercisable or vested at the Effective Time of the Merger.  
The Option Payment shall be made to the holder of the Option (or his or her 
successors) upon the Effective Time of the Merger. The provisions of the 1992 
Stock Option Plan and the applicable stock option agreement shall control in 
determining when an Option becomes exercisable or vested and to what extent 
an Option is forfeited in the event that the holder's service with the 
Company terminates.  Each Compass Option shall terminate at the Effective 
Time of the Merger to the extent not exercisable for vested shares on such 
date.  The parties intend that the conversion of the Compass Options 
hereunder will not meet the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and this Section 2.1(d) shall 
be interpreted consistent with such 


                                       4
<PAGE>

intention.  Consistent with the terms of the Compass Options and the 
documents governing such Compass Options, the Merger will not accelerate any 
Compass Option or any right of exercise, vesting or repurchase relating 
thereto.  Holders of Compass Options will not be entitled to acquire Compass 
Common Stock following the Merger.  Holders of vested Compass Options may 
elect to exercise such options prior to the Effective Time of the Merger and 
receive the consideration per share delineated in Section 2.1(c)(iii) by 
providing notice of such exercise and payment of the exercise price thereof 
to Compass at any time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger.  In the 
event that any holder of vested Compass Options does not exercise such 
Compass Options prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, such Compass 
Options shall terminate and be converted into a right to receive the Option 
Payment.  The right to receive the Option Payment may not be assigned or 
transferred.  Any attempted assignment contrary to this Section 2.1(d) shall 
be null and void.

          (e)  COMPASS CAPITAL STOCK SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE.  All cash and 
shares of Avant! Common Stock received in the Merger in exchange for shares 
of Compass Preferred Stock or Compass Common Stock (collectively, the 
"Compass Capital Stock") that, under applicable stock purchase, stock 
restriction or similar agreements with Compass, are unvested or subject to a 
repurchase option or other condition of forfeiture that by its terms does not 
terminate due to the Merger ("Compass Restricted Stock") will also be 
unvested or subject to the same repurchase option and escrow conditions or 
other condition, as the case may be, and the certificates evidencing any such 
shares will be marked with appropriate legends.  SCHEDULE 2.1(e) hereto sets 
forth a true and complete list of all holders of Compass Restricted Stock, 
including the number of shares of Compass Restricted Stock held and a 
breakdown as between vested and unvested shares.  On the Closing Date, 
Compass shall deliver to Avant! an updated SCHEDULE 2.1(e) hereto current as 
of the Closing Date. 

          (f)  DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.  If, as of the Effective Time of the 
Merger, holders of the issued and outstanding Compass Capital Stock are 
entitled to dissenters' rights under the DGCL, or alternatively, the CGCL to 
the extent Compass is determined to be a foreign corporation contemplated by 
Section 2115 of the CGCL and have properly exercised and not lost such 
dissenters' rights ("Dissenting Shares") in connection with the Merger, 
shares of Compass Capital Stock shall not be converted into or represent a 
right to receive the cash consideration and/or Avant! Common Stock pursuant 
to Section 2.1(c) but shall be converted into the right to receive such 
consideration as may be determined to be due with respect to such Dissenting 
Shares.

          (g)  FRACTIONAL SHARES.  No fractional shares of Avant! Common 
Stock shall be issued by virtue of the Merger, but in lieu thereof each 
holder of shares of Compass Capital Stock who would otherwise be entitled to 
receive a fraction of a share of Avant! Common Stock shall receive from 
Avant! the Average Nasdaq Per Share Price multiplied by the fraction of a 
share of Avant! Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be 
entitled.  The fractional share interests of each Compass stockholder shall 
be aggregated, so that no Compass stockholder shall receive cash in an amount 
greater than the value of one (1) full share of Avant! Common Stock.


                                       5
<PAGE>

     2.2  EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES. 

          (a)  EXCHANGE AGENT.  Prior to the Closing Date, Avant! shall 
appoint Harris Trust Company to act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") 
in the Merger. 

          (b)  AVANT! TO PROVIDE CASH AND COMMON STOCK.  Promptly after the 
Effective Time of the Merger (but in no event later than ten (10) business 
days thereafter), Avant! shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with 
the Exchange Agent for exchange in accordance with this Article II, the cash 
and the aggregate number of shares of Avant! Common Stock issuable pursuant 
to Section 2.1 in exchange for outstanding shares of Compass Capital Stock.

          (c)  EXCHANGE PROCEDURES.  Within ten (10) business days after the 
Effective Time of the Merger, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of 
record of a certificate or certificates that immediately prior to the 
Effective Time of the Merger represented outstanding shares of Compass 
Capital Stock (the "Certificates") and which shares were converted into the 
right to receive cash and/or shares of Avant! Common Stock pursuant to 
Section 2.1 hereof (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that 
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates 
shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and 
shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Avant! may reasonably 
specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the 
Certificates in exchange for cash and/or certificates representing shares of 
Avant! Common Stock.  Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the 
Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by 
Avant!, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly 
executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder of such 
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the cash 
payment and/or a certificate representing the number of whole shares of 
Avant! Common Stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares in accordance 
with Section 2.1(g), to which such holder of Compass Capital Stock is 
entitled pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.  The Certificate so surrendered 
shall forthwith be canceled.  In the event of a transfer of ownership of 
Compass Capital Stock that is not registered on the transfer records of 
Compass, the appropriate cash payment and/or a certificate representing the 
number of shares of Avant! Common Stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional 
shares in accordance with Section 2.1(g), may be delivered to a transferee if 
the Certificate representing such Compass Capital Stock is presented to the 
Exchange Agent and accompanied by all documents required to evidence and 
effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes 
have been paid.  Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2, each 
Certificate shall be deemed at all times after the Effective Time of the 
Merger to represent the right to receive upon such surrender the cash payment 
and/or a certificate representing the number of whole shares of Avant! Common 
Stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 
2.1(g), as provided by this Article II and the provisions of the DGCL but 
shall have no other right; provided, however, that customary and appropriate 
certifications, indemnities and bonds allowing exchange against lost or 
destroyed certificates shall be provided; and provided further that nothing 
in this Section 2.2(c) shall require Avant! to make a cash payment and/or 
exchange its Common Stock to any holder of Compass Capital Stock who shall 
fail to surrender a Certificate representing such shares or the 
certification, indemnities and bonds relating to a lost 


                                       6
<PAGE>

certificate.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Exchange Agent nor 
any party hereto shall be liable to a holder of shares of Compass Capital 
Stock for any cash payment and/or share of Avant! Common Stock and any other 
cash, dividends or distributions delivered to a public official pursuant to 
applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar laws.  Promptly following 
the date that is six (6) months after the Effective Date of the Merger, the 
Exchange Agent shall return to the Surviving Corporation the remaining 
portion of the cash and shares of Avant! Common Stock deposited with the 
Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(b) in its possession relating to the 
transactions described in this Agreement, and the Exchange Agent's duties 
shall terminate.  Thereafter, each holder of a Certificate may surrender such 
Certificate to the Surviving Corporation and (subject to applicable abandoned 
property, escheat and similar laws) receive in exchange therefor the cash 
payment and/or a certificate representing the shares of Avant! Common Stock 
to which such holder is entitled pursuant hereto.

          (d)  NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN COMPASS CAPITAL STOCK.  The 
cash consideration and all shares of Avant! Common Stock delivered upon the 
surrender for exchange of shares of Compass Capital Stock in accordance with 
the terms hereof (including any cash paid for fractional shares in respect 
therefor) shall be deemed to have been delivered in full satisfaction of all 
rights pertaining to such shares of Compass Capital Stock.  There shall be no 
further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the 
Surviving Corporation of the shares of Compass Capital Stock that were 
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger.  If, after 
the Effective Time of the Merger, Certificates are presented to the Surviving 
Corporation for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided 
in this Article II. 

     2.3  SUPPLEMENTARY ACTION.  If, at any time after the Effective Time of 
the Merger, any further assignments or assurances in law or any other things 
are necessary or desirable to vest or to perfect or confirm of record in the 
Surviving Corporation the title to any property or rights of either Compass 
or Sub or otherwise to carry out the provisions of this Agreement, the 
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are hereby authorized and 
empowered, in the name of and on behalf of Compass and Sub, to execute and 
deliver any and all things necessary or proper to vest or to perfect or 
confirm title to such property or rights in the Surviving Corporation, and 
otherwise to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Agreement. 

                                   ARTICLE III:
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPASS

     Compass represents and warrants to Avant! and Sub that the 
representations and warranties set forth below shall be true and correct as 
of the date hereof, except as disclosed in a document delivered by Compass to 
Avant! prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "Compass Disclosure 
Schedules").  As used in this Agreement, "Business Condition" with respect to 
Compass shall refer to Compass' financial condition, business (including 
products currently under development), property, results of operations and 
assets.


                                       7
<PAGE>

     3.1  ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER.  Compass is a corporation duly 
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State 
of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, 
operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now being 
conducted. Compass is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good 
standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a 
material and adverse effect on Compass' Business Condition.  Compass has 
delivered or made available to Avant! complete and correct copies of its 
current charter and Bylaws, and has delivered minutes of all directors' and 
stockholders' meetings, complete and accurate as of the date hereof, and 
stock certificate books of Compass, that correctly set forth the record 
ownership of all outstanding shares of Compass Capital Stock and the 
addresses of each of its security holders. 

     3.2  CAPITAL STRUCTURE. 

          (a)  The authorized Capital Stock of Compass consists of 40,000,000 
shares of Common Stock and 2,200,000 shares of Preferred Stock.  As of the 
date of this Agreement, there were issued and outstanding 19,628,560 shares 
of Compass Common Stock, and there were issued and outstanding 2,200,000 
shares of Compass Series A Preferred Stock.  As of the date of this 
Agreement, there were an aggregate of 1,880,774 shares of Common Stock 
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding Compass Options.  
SCHEDULE 3.2(A) sets forth a listing of each stockholder of Compass and the 
respective number of shares of each class of Compass Capital Stock owned by 
each such stockholder. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.2(A), there are no 
outstanding shares of Compass Capital Stock or any other equity securities or 
rights to purchase equity securities of Compass, other than shares of Compass 
Capital Stock and Compass Options as described in this paragraph.

          (b)  All outstanding shares of Compass Capital Stock are, and any 
shares of Compass Capital Stock issued upon exercise of any Compass Option 
will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and 
not subject to preemptive rights created by statute, Compass' charter or 
Bylaws or any agreement to which Compass is a party or by which Compass may 
be bound. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.2(B), all outstanding Compass 
Capital Stock or other Compass securities have been issued in compliance with 
applicable securities laws.  Except for the Compass Options, there are no 
options, warrants, calls, conversion rights, commitments or agreements of any 
character to which Compass is a party or by which Compass may be bound that 
do or may obligate Compass to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, 
delivered or sold, additional shares of Compass Capital Stock or that do or 
may obligate Compass to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, 
call, conversion right, commitment or agreement. 

          (c)  Except for the Compass Preferred Stock and as set forth on 
SCHEDULE 2.1(e), none of the issued and outstanding shares of Compass Capital 
Stock is subject to repurchase or redemption.  All Compass Options have been 
issued in accordance with Compass' stock option plans and all applicable 
securities laws, including pursuant to valid permits or exemptions therefrom. 
The Compass stock option plans and all amendments thereto have been approved 
by all requisite Compass stockholder action.  Compass does not have in effect 
any stock appreciation rights plan and no stock appreciation rights are 
currently


                                       8
<PAGE>

outstanding.  The consummation of the Merger shall not cause an acceleration 
in the vesting of any of Compass' Capital Stock.

          (d)  Except for any restrictions imposed by applicable securities 
laws, the Compass Bylaws, the Compass stock option plan and agreements, and 
the agreements related to Compass Restricted Stock listed in SCHEDULE 2.1(E), 
there is no right of first refusal, co-sale right, right of participation, 
right of first offer, option or other restriction on transfer applicable to 
any shares of Compass Capital Stock. 

          (e)  Except for the Voting Agreement entered into as of the date 
hereof in substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT 3.2(E) (the 
"Voting Agreement") with the parties listed on SCHEDULE 3.2(E) hereto, 
Compass is not a party or subject to any agreement or understanding, and 
there is no agreement or understanding between or among any persons that 
affects or relates to the voting or giving of written consent with respect to 
any outstanding security of Compass.

     3.3  SUBSIDIARIES.

          (a)  SCHEDULE 3.3(A) hereto sets forth each subsidiary of Compass 
(each a "Subsidiary"), together with the jurisdiction of incorporation or 
organization of each such Subsidiary, the outstanding capital stock of each 
such Subsidiary, and the record owner of all such shares of capital stock.  
All the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such Subsidiary have been 
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by Compass 
free and clear of all adverse claims, restrictions on voting or transfer, 
pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests or other 
restrictions of any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens").  There 
are no securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any options, 
warrants, calls, subscriptions or other rights (preemptive or otherwise) to 
acquire, any shares of capital stock of such Subsidiaries or any agreements 
or contractual commitments other than this Agreement obligating Compass, or 
restricting Compass' rights, to transfer, sell or vote, the capital stock of 
any of such Subsidiaries owned by it, directly or indirectly.  Except as set 
forth in SCHEDULE 3.3(A) hereto, neither Compass nor any of its Subsidiaries 
owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other ownership interest 
in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or has any 
agreement, understanding, contract or commitment relating to an interest in 
any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or Compass' or 
such Subsidiary's investment therein.  Each Subsidiary identified on SCHEDULE 
3.3(A) hereto is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good 
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.

     (b)  SCHEDULE 3.3(B) hereto sets forth a true and complete list of all 
jurisdictions in which Compass and its Subsidiaries are qualified to do 
business or own or lease property or have employees. 

     3.4  AUTHORITY. 

          (a)  Compass has all requisite corporate power and authority to 
enter into this Agreement and the Certificate of Merger and the Escrow 
Agreement (collectively, the 

                                       9
<PAGE>

"Related Agreements") and, subject to approval of this Agreement and the 
Certificate of Merger by the stockholders of Compass, to execute, deliver and 
perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the 
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The execution and delivery of 
this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the performance by Compass of its 
obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions 
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all 
necessary corporate action on the part of Compass, including approval by its 
Board of Directors, other than approval of the Compass stockholders.  Each of 
this Agreement and the Related Agreements is a legal, valid and binding 
obligation of Compass enforceable against Compass in accordance with its 
respective terms, except (i) as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, 
insolvency, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' 
rights generally, (ii) that the availability of equitable remedies is subject 
to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be 
brought, and (iii) that indemnification for securities law violations may not 
be enforceable as a matter of public policy.

          (b)  Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 
VI hereto, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related 
Agreements do not and the performance and consummation of the transactions 
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, conflict with or result in any 
conflict with, breach or violation of any statute, law, rule, regulation, 
judgment, order, decree, or ordinance known to Compass and applicable to 
Compass or its properties or assets, or conflict with or result in any 
conflict with, breach or violation of or default (with or without notice or 
lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, 
cancellation, forfeiture or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of a 
benefit under, or result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance on any of 
the properties or assets of Compass pursuant to (i) any provision of the 
current charter or Bylaws of Compass, or (ii) any agreement, contract, note, 
mortgage, indenture, lease, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or 
license to which Compass is a party or by which Compass or any of its 
property or assets may be bound or affected, other than any such conflict, 
breach, violation or default which would not have a material and adverse 
effect on the Business Condition of Compass. 

          (c)  No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or 
registration, declaration of, or qualification or filing with, any court, 
administrative agency, commission, regulatory authority or other governmental 
or administrative body or instrumentality, whether domestic or foreign (a 
"Governmental Entity"), is required by or with respect to Compass in 
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related 
Agreements by Compass or the consummation by Compass of the transactions 
contemplated hereby or thereby, except for (i) the filing of the Certificate 
of Merger as required under the DGCL and appropriate documents with the 
relevant authorities of other jurisdictions in which Compass is qualified to 
do business, (ii) compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust 
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") as described in Section 
5.16 and (iii) such other consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations 
or qualifications as may be required under applicable securities or Blue Sky 
laws in connection with the Merger.

     3.5  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Compass has delivered to Avant! a complete 
and accurate copy of its unaudited balance sheet at December 27, 1996, and 
its unaudited balance 

                                       10
<PAGE>

sheet at June 27, 1997, and its statement of operations, statement of cash 
flows and statement of stockholders' equity, including notes thereto for the 
year ended December 27, 1996, and the six months ended June 27, 1997, which 
are unaudited (collectively, "the Compass Financial Statements"). The Compass 
Financial Statements have been prepared internally in good faith by Compass' 
management and applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated 
and with each other.  Except for the absence of footnotes and customary 
year-end adjustments in the financial statements the Compass Financial 
Statements fairly present the financial position and operating results of 
Compass as of the dates, and for the periods, indicated therein.  The Compass 
Financial Statements have been prepared with the understanding that: (i) 
materiality thresholds reflect management judgments based on consolidated 
VLSI financial results; (ii) no attempt has been made to apply carve out 
accounting principles; and (iii) income tax provisions are based on the 
VLSI/Compass tax sharing agreement and do not take into account FAS 109 on a 
separate company basis.

     3.6  PAYABLES; RECEIVABLES. 

          (a)  All accounts payable and notes payable by Compass to third 
parties as of the date hereof arose, and as of the Closing, will have arisen, 
in the ordinary course of business.

          (b)  All of the accounts receivable and notes receivable, net of 
allowances, owing to Compass as of June 27, 1997 and as of the Closing are, 
or will be, set forth in SCHEDULE 3.6 or an updated SCHEDULE 3.6 delivered at 
the Closing, respectively, and constitute, and as of the Effective Time of 
the Merger will constitute, valid and enforceable claims arising from bona 
fide transactions in the ordinary course of business collectible in the 
recorded amounts thereof, to the extent not previously collected (provided 
further that this representation regarding collectibility of accounts shall 
be breached only to the extent the sum of all uncollectible accounts exceeds 
the allowances in the balance sheet as of June 27, 1997 in the Compass 
Financial Statements or allowances made in the updated SCHEDULE 3.6 delivered 
at the Closing, which allowances have been and shall be calculated in a 
manner consistent with the methodologies and practices used by Compass in 
preparing its balance sheet as of December 27, 1996), and, there are no 
known, contingent or asserted claims, refusals to pay, rights of return, or 
other rights of set-off against any thereof.  As of the date hereof, and as 
of the Closing, there is and will be no account receivable or note receivable 
that is pledged to any third party by Compass. 

          (c)  As of June 27, 1997, there are no debts, liabilities, 
obligations or claims against Compass of any nature, whether accrued, 
absolute, contingent or otherwise (collectively "Liabilities"), and whether 
due or to become due, that would be required to be reflected in a balance 
sheet, or in the notes thereto, that are not disclosed or provided for in the 
Compass Financial Statements or the notes thereto.  As of the date hereof, 
Compass has no Liabilities other than those specifically set forth in the 
Compass Financial Statements or that have arisen in the ordinary course of 
business since June 27, 1997.  All of Compass' general ledgers, books and 
records have been made available to Avant!.  Compass does not have any of its 
records, systems, controls, data or information recorded, stored, maintained, 
operated or

                                       11
<PAGE>

otherwise wholly or partly dependent upon or held by any means (including any 
electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) 
that (including all means of access thereto and therefrom) are not under the 
exclusive ownership and direct control of Compass or its parent, VLSI.  
Compass' financial reserves in the Compass Financial Statements are adequate 
to cover claims already incurred.  The provision for taxes of Compass as set 
forth in the Compass Financial Statements is adequate and accurate for taxes 
due or accrued as of such date. 

     3.7  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.7, Compass 
is in compliance and has conducted its business and operations so as to 
comply with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, judgments, decrees 
or orders of any Governmental Entity known to Compass.  There are no 
judgments or orders, injunctions, decrees, stipulations or awards (whether 
rendered by a court or administrative agency or by arbitration) against 
Compass or against any of its properties or businesses, and none are pending 
or, to Compass' knowledge, threatened in writing.  Compass has not during the 
past three (3) years received any governmental notice from any Governmental 
Entity for any violation of applicable laws or regulations.  Compass has all 
valid and current permits, licenses, orders, authorizations, registrations, 
approvals and other instruments (each of which is in full force and effect), 
and Compass has made all filings and registrations and the like necessary or 
required by law to conduct its business.

     3.8  NO DEFAULTS.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.8, Compass is not, 
and it has not received notice that it is or would be with the passage of 
time, in violation of any provision of its current charter or Bylaws or in 
default or violation of any term, condition or provision of (a) any judgment, 
decree, order, injunction or stipulation applicable to Compass, or (b) any 
agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, law, statute, rule, regulation, 
contract, lease, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license to 
which Compass is a party or by which Compass or its properties or assets may 
be bound other than a default or violation that would not have a material and 
adverse effect on Compass' Business Condition.

     3.9  LITIGATION.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.9, there is no 
action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation pending or, to 
the best of Compass' knowledge, threatened against Compass or, to the best of 
Compass' knowledge, any of its officers or directors (in their capacities as 
such), nor is there any reasonable basis therefor known to Compass.  There is 
no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by Compass currently pending or 
which it intends to initiate.  Compass is not a party to or subject to the 
provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or 
Governmental Entity.  Compass has delivered to Avant! correct and complete 
copies of all correspondence prepared by its counsel for Compass' independent 
public accountants in connection with the last three (3) completed annual 
Compass Financial Statements and any such correspondence since the date of 
the last Compass Financial Statement.

     3.10 CONDUCT IN THE ORDINARY COURSE.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 
3.10, since June 27, 1997, Compass has conducted its business in the ordinary 
course and there has not occurred: 

                                       12
<PAGE>

          (a)  Any change in the assets, liabilities, Business Condition or 
operating results from that reflected in the Compass Financial Statements at, 
and for the six months ended, June 27, 1997 and that might reasonably be 
expected to have a material and adverse affect on the Business Condition of 
Compass; 

          (b)  Any amendments or changes in the charter or Bylaws of Compass;

          (c)  Any damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance 
or not, materially and adversely affecting the Business Condition of Compass;

          (d)  Any issuance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of 
shares of Compass Capital Stock (other than issuances pursuant to exercise of 
Compass Options or repurchases of Common Stock at cost in the ordinary course 
under the terms of agreements relating to Compass Restricted Stock), or any 
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution 
(whether in cash, stock or property) with respect to Compass Capital Stock;

          (e)  Any increase in or modification of the compensation or 
benefits payable or to become payable by Compass to any of its service 
providers or changes pursuant to employment agreements currently in effect or 
changes in position; 

          (f)  Any increase in or modification of any bonus, pension, 
insurance or other employee benefit plan, payment or arrangement (including, 
without limitation, the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards or 
stock appreciation rights) made to, for or with any of its service providers; 

          (g)  Any (i) sale of the property or assets of Compass individually 
in excess of $10,000 or in the aggregate in excess of $25,000 other than 
inventory sales or nonexclusive end user license grants in the ordinary 
course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) any mortgage, 
pledge, transfer of a security interest in, or lien created by it, with 
respect to any of its properties or assets, except liens for taxes not yet 
due or payable (other than liens arising under existing lease financing 
arrangements, liens arising in the ordinary course of Compass' business that 
in the aggregate are not material and liens for Taxes not yet due and 
payable); 

          (h)  Any alteration in any term of any outstanding security of 
Compass;

          (i)  Any (i) incurrence, assumption or guarantee by Compass of any 
debt for borrowed money other than trade indebtedness incurred in the 
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (ii) any waiver or 
compromise by it of a valuable right or of a debt owed to it; (iii) any 
satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim, or encumbrance or payment of 
any obligation by it, except that which is not material to its Business 
Condition; (iv) issuance or sale of any securities convertible into or 
exchangeable for debt securities of Compass; or (v) issuance or sale of 
options or other rights to acquire from Compass, directly or indirectly, debt 
securities of Compass or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for 
any such debt securities;

                                       13
<PAGE>

          (j)  Any creation or assumption by Compass of any mortgage, pledge, 
security interest or lien or other encumbrance on any asset (other than liens 
arising under existing lease financing arrangements, liens arising in the 
ordinary course of Compass' business that in the aggregate are not material 
and liens for Taxes not yet due and payable); 

          (k)  Any making of any loan, advance or capital contribution to, or 
investment in, any person other than advances made in the ordinary course of 
business of Compass consistent with Compass' past practices;

          (l)  Any entry into, amendment of, relinquishment, termination or 
nonrenewal by Compass of any contract, lease, commitment or other right or 
obligation other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past 
practice; 

          (m)  Any transfer or grant of a right under the Compass 
Intellectual Property Rights (as defined in Section 3.17) other than those 
transferred or granted in the ordinary course of business consistent with 
past practice; 

          (n)  Any labor dispute, other than routine individual grievances, 
or any activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof to 
organize any employees of Compass; 

          (o)  Any resignation or termination of employment of any of its key 
employees (and Compass does not know of the impending resignation or 
termination of employment of any such employee); or 

          (p)  Any agreement or arrangement made by Compass to take any 
action that, if taken prior to the date hereof, would have made any 
representation or warranty set forth in this Section 3.10 untrue or incorrect 
as of the date when made. 

     3.11 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except as set forth in 
SCHEDULE 3.11 and in the Compass Financial Statements, Compass has no 
liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued or contingent, and 
whether or not determined or determinable) of a character that should be 
accrued, shown, disclosed, reserved or indicated in a balance sheet of 
Compass (including the footnotes thereto).

     3.12 DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION SUPPLIED.  The copies of all instruments, 
agreements, and documents delivered by Compass, its stockholders and 
professional advisors to Avant! and Sub or their counsel and accountants are 
and will be true and correct copies of such documents.  No representations or 
warranties made by Compass in this Agreement, nor any document, information, 
statement, financial statement, communication, letter, certificate or exhibit 
prepared and furnished or to be prepared and furnished by Compass or its 
representatives to Avant! or Sub pursuant hereto or in connection with the 
transactions contemplated hereby contain or will contain any untrue statement 
of a material fact, or omit or will omit to state a material fact necessary 
to make the statements or facts contained herein or therein, in light of the 
circumstances under which made,  not misleading. 

                                       14
<PAGE>

     3.13 CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.13, neither 
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Related Agreements 
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will 
(a) result in any payment (including, without limitation, severance, 
unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due 
to any service provider of Compass under any Plan (as defined in Section 3.14 
below) or otherwise, (b) materially increase any benefits otherwise payable 
under any Plan, or (c) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or 
vesting of any such benefits. 

     3.14 EMPLOYEE PLANS.  

          (a)  Compass has not failed to comply in any material respect with 
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Fair Labor 
Standards Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as 
amended, all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and 
regulations relating to employment, and all applicable laws, rules, and 
regulations governing payment of minimum wages and overtime rates, and the 
withholding and payment of compensation of employees, except where the 
failure to so comply will not have a material and adverse effect on Compass' 
Business Condition.

          (b)  Compass is not a party to, nor has Compass made any 
contribution to or otherwise incurred any obligation under, any 
"multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").

          (c)  All plans, programs, policies, commitments or other 
arrangements (whether or not set forth in a written document) maintained by 
or on behalf of Compass that provide deferred or incentive compensation, 
stock options or other stock purchase rights, severance or termination pay, 
medical, dental, death, disability or accident benefits (whether or not 
insured), collective bargaining agreements, or pension, profit sharing, 
savings or retirement benefits to, or for the benefit of, any active, former 
or retired service providers of Compass or their spouses or dependents are 
set forth in SCHEDULE 3.14 (collectively, the "Plans").

          (d)  Compass has made available to Avant! or their counsel complete 
and accurate copies of each Plan.  Compass has prepared in good faith and 
timely filed all requisite governmental reports and has properly and timely 
posted, or distributed all notices and reports to employees required to be 
filed, posted, or distributed with respect to each Plan, except where the 
failure to so comply will not have a material and adverse affect on Compass' 
Business Condition.  Each Plan has at all times been operated and 
administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and all 
applicable laws currently in effect, including ERISA and the Code, and 
including but not limited to, amendments to Section 401(a) of the Code 
enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
of 1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, the Technical and 
Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
of 1989.

          (e)  Compass has not violated in any material respect any of the 
health care continuation coverage requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA") applicable to its employees prior 
to the Time of Closing.

                                       15
<PAGE>

          (f)  There are no "reportable events" under Section 4043 of ERISA 
with respect to any pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) 
of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA, and Compass has not incurred any 
liability under Title IV of ERISA in connection with the termination of any 
pension benefit plan or the complete or partial withdrawal from any 
multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.

     3.15 MAJOR CONTRACTS.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.15, Compass is 
not a party to or subject to:

          (a)  Any union contract or any employment or consulting contract or 
arrangement other than stock option or stock purchase agreements or 
proprietary information agreements, written or oral with any director, 
officer or affiliate; 

          (b)  Any original equipment manufacturer agreement, distribution 
agreement, volume or quantity purchase agreement or other similar agreement 
(each a "Distribution Agreement"), or joint marketing, joint development or 
joint venture contract or arrangement or any other agreement that has 
involved or is expected to involve a sharing of profits with other persons or 
provides for payments of more than $75,000 per annum; 

          (c)  Any lease for real or personal property involving payments of 
more than $75,000 per annum; 

          (d)  Any instrument evidencing or related in any way to 
indebtedness incurred in the acquisition of companies or other entities or 
indebtedness for borrowed money by way of direct loan, sale of debt 
securities, purchase money obligation, conditional sale, guarantee, leasehold 
obligations or otherwise;

          (e)  Any license agreement over $100,000, either as licensor or 
licensee other than standard end-user licensing agreements entered into in 
the ordinary course of business;

          (f)  Any contract containing covenants purporting to limit the 
freedom of Compass directly or indirectly to distribute or otherwise compete 
in any line of business in any geographic area or with any third party;

          (g)  Any agreement of indemnification, except indemnification 
provided in the ordinary course of business for officers and directors 
pursuant to applicable corporate law; 

          (h)  Any agreement, contract or commitment relating to capital 
expenditures involving payments of more than $75,000 per annum; 

          (i)  Any agreement, contract or commitment relating to the 
disposition or acquisition by Compass of any assets (other than Inventory) or 
any Compass Intellectual Property Rights (as defined in Section 3.17 below), 
other than nonexclusive object code end-user license grants in the ordinary 
course of business; 

                                       16
<PAGE>

          (j)  Any agreement providing for minimum payment or resale 
obligations, ongoing support or research and development obligations, or 
warranty obligations on the part of Compass, except arrangements entered into 
in the ordinary course of business; 

          (k)  Any agreement for the provision of products or securities to 
any Governmental Entity, except customer agreements entered into in the 
ordinary course of business; 

          (l)  Any agreement requiring a commitment of Compass resources or 
personnel to market, distribute or license products or technology, whether on 
a best-efforts basis or otherwise;

          (m)  Any other agreement, contract, letter of intent, memorandum of 
understanding or commitment that is material to Compass and that provides for 
payments of more than $75,000 per year;

          (n)  Service contracts in excess of $100,000 for products and 
contracts relating to material amounts of deferred revenues; or 

          (o)  Any sole or limited source supplier agreements (written or oral).

     Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.15, each agreement, contract, 
mortgage, indenture, plan, lease, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, 
arrangement, license and commitment to which Compass is a party or by which 
it is bound as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.15 (or required to be set forth in 
SCHEDULE 3.15) (i) is valid and binding on Compass, (ii) is in full force and 
effect and (iii) has not been breached by Compass or, to the best of Compass' 
knowledge, any other party thereto in a manner that is material and adverse 
to the Business Condition of Compass.  To the best of Compass' knowledge, no 
party to any such contract, agreement or instrument intends to cancel, 
withdraw, modify or amend such contract, agreement or arrangement.  Compass 
is not aware of any facts from which it should reasonably conclude that it 
will not be able to perform in all material respects the obligations required 
to be performed by it subsequent to the date hereof under each such 
agreement, which non-performance would reasonably be expected to result in a 
material and adverse change to the Business Condition of Compass.

     3.16 TAXES.  Federal income tax returns and certain other Tax returns 
have been filed on a combined or consolidated basis by VLSI.  All Tax 
returns, statements, reports, declarations and other forms and documents 
(including without limitation estimated Tax returns and reports and material 
information returns and reports) required to be filed with any Tax authority 
with respect to any Taxable period ending on or before the Closing (or, in 
the case of a Tax Return that is not filed with respect to a period) that is 
due on or before the Closing, by or on behalf of Compass (collectively, "Tax 
Returns" and individually a "Tax Return"), have been or will be completed and 
filed when due (including any extensions of such due date), all such Tax 
Returns were or will be complete and accurate as filed, and all amounts shown 
due on such Tax Returns on or before the Effective Time of the Merger have 
been or will be paid on or before such date.  The Compass Financial 
Statements (i) fully accrue all actual and contingent liabilities 

                                       17
<PAGE>

for Taxes (whether or not shown as due on the Tax Returns) with respect to 
all periods or portions thereof through June 27, 1997 and Compass has not 
incurred and will not incur any Tax liability in excess of the amount 
reflected on its June 27, 1997 balance sheet included in the Compass 
Financial Statements with respect to such periods or portions thereof, and 
(ii) fully accrues all material liabilities for Taxes payable after June 30, 
1997 with respect to all transactions and events occurring on or prior to 
such date. All information set forth in the notes to the Compass Financial 
Statements relating to Tax matters is true, complete and accurate in all 
material respects. No Tax liability since June 27, 1997 has been incurred by 
Compass in excess of the amount of Tax liability that would have been 
incurred in the ordinary course of business of Compass during such period had 
Compass not been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary 
group for Tax purposes during any part of such period and adequate provision 
has been made by Compass for all Taxes since that date on at least a 
quarterly basis.  Compass has withheld and paid to the applicable financial 
institution or Tax authority all amounts required to be withheld.  Except as 
set forth on SCHEDULE 3.16, to the best knowledge of Compass, no Tax Returns 
filed with respect to Taxable years of Compass through the Taxable year ended 
December 31, 1996 in the case of the United States, have been examined and 
closed.  Compass (or any member of any affiliated or combined group of which 
Compass has been a member) has not granted any extension or waiver of the 
limitation period applicable to any Tax Returns that is still in effect.  
Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.16, there is no material claim, audit, 
action, suit, proceeding, or (to the best knowledge of Compass) investigation 
now pending or (to the best knowledge of Compass) threatened against or with 
respect to Compass in respect of any Tax or assessment.  Except as set forth 
on SCHEDULE 3.16, no notice of deficiency or similar document of any Tax 
authority has been received by Compass, and there are no liabilities for 
Taxes (including liabilities for interest, additions to Tax and penalties 
thereon and related expenses) with respect to the issues that have been 
raised (and are currently pending) by any Tax authority that could, if 
determined adversely to Compass, materially and adversely affect the 
liability of Compass for Taxes.  There are no liens for Taxes (other than for 
current Taxes not yet due and payable) upon the assets of Compass.  Compass 
is in full compliance with all the terms and conditions of any Tax exemptions 
or other Tax-sharing agreement or order of a foreign government and the 
consummation of the Merger will not have any adverse effect on the continued 
validity and effectiveness of any such Tax exemption or other Tax-sharing 
agreement or order. Neither Compass nor any person on behalf of Compass has 
entered into or will enter into any agreement or consent pursuant to the 
collapsible corporation provisions of Section 341(f) of the Code (or any 
corresponding provision of state, local or foreign income tax law) or agreed 
to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (or any corresponding provision of 
state, local or foreign income tax law) apply to any disposition of any asset 
owned by Compass.  None of the assets of Compass is property that Compass is 
required to treat as being owned by any other person pursuant to the 
so-called "safe harbor lease" provisions of former Section 168(f)(8) of the 
Code.  None of the assets of Compass directly or indirectly secures any debt 
the interest on which is tax exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.  None 
of the assets of Compass is "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of 
Section 168(h) of the Code.  Compass has not made and will not make a deemed 
dividend election under Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-32(f)(2) or a consent 
dividend election under Section 565 of the Code. Compass has not participated 
in (and will not participate in) an international boycott within the meaning 
of Section 999 of the Code.  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.16 hereto, 
Compass does not have and has not had a permanent

                                       18
<PAGE>


establishment in any foreign country, as defined in any applicable tax treaty 
or convention between the United States of America and such foreign country.  
All material elections with respect to Compass' Taxes made during the fiscal 
years ending December 27, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are reflected on the Compass 
Tax Returns for such periods, copies of which have been provided to Avant!.  
There is no agreement, contract or arrangement to which Compass is a party 
that could, individually or collectively, result in the payment of any amount 
that would not be deductible by reason of Sections 280G (as determined 
without regard to Section 280G(b)(4)), 162 (other than 162(a)) or 404 of the 
Code.  Compass is not a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing 
or Tax allocation agreement (whether written or unwritten or arising under 
operation of federal law as a result of being a member of a group filing 
consolidated Tax returns, under operation of certain state laws as a result 
of being a member of a unitary group, or under comparable laws of other 
states or foreign jurisdictions) which includes a party other than Compass 
nor does Compass owe any amount under any such Agreement.  Compass has 
previously provided or made available to Avant! true and correct copies of 
all Tax Returns, and, as reasonably requested by Avant!, prior to or 
following the date hereof, presently existing information statements and 
reports.  Compass is not, and has not been, a United States real property 
holding corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the 
applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code. Other 
than by reason of the Merger, Compass has not been and will not be required 
to include any material adjustment in Taxable income for any Tax period (or 
portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 or 263A of the Code or any 
comparable provision under state or foreign Tax laws as a result of 
transactions, events or accounting methods employed prior to the Merger.  For 
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings: 
"Tax" (and, with correlative meaning, "Taxes" and "Taxable") means any and 
all taxes including, without limitation, (i) any net income, alternative or 
add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, 
transfer, franchise, profits, value added, net worth, license, withholding, 
payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, 
environmental or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax governmental 
fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with 
any interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by 
any Governmental Entity (a "Tax authority") responsible for the imposition of 
any such tax (domestic or foreign), (ii) any liability for the payment of any 
amounts of the type described in (i) as a result of being a member of an 
affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Taxable period or 
as the result of being a transferee or successor thereof and (iii) any 
liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) 
as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other 
person.  As used in this Section 3.16, the term "Compass" means Compass and 
any entity included in, or required to be included in, or required under 
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") to be included in any of 
the Compass Financial Statements.

     3.17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. 

          (a)  Except as otherwise set forth in SCHEDULE 3.17, Compass owns, 
or is licensed or otherwise entitled to exercise, without material 
restriction, all rights to all patents, trademarks, trade names, service 
marks, copyrights, mask work rights, trade secret rights and other 
intellectual property rights, and any applications or registrations therefor, 
and all mask

                                       19
<PAGE>

works, net lists, schematics, technology, source code, know-how, computer 
software programs and all other tangible and intangible information or 
material used in the business of Compass as currently conducted or in 
connection with products currently under development without any conflict or 
infringement of the rights of others (collectively, the "Compass Intellectual 
Property Rights"). All of the trademarks, trade names, service marks and 
registered copyrights included in such Compass Intellectual Property Rights 
are set forth in SCHEDULE 3.17.  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.17, 
Compass has no patents, patent applications or copyright registrations.  In 
addition, Compass has taken all reasonable and practicable steps (including, 
without limitation, entering into confidentiality and non-disclosure 
agreements with all officers and employees of and consultants to Compass with 
access to or knowledge of Compass' Intellectual Property Rights that Compass 
wishes to maintain as confidential) to maintain the secrecy and 
confidentiality of and its proprietary rights in, all Compass Intellectual 
Property Rights that Compass wishes to maintain as confidential.

          (b)  SCHEDULE 3.17 also lists (i) all patents and patent 
applications and all registered copyrights, trade names, trademarks, service 
marks and other company, product or service identifiers included in the 
Compass Intellectual Property Rights, and specifies the jurisdictions in 
which each such Compass Intellectual Property Right has been registered, 
including the respective registration numbers; (ii) other than nonexclusive 
end-user licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business, all 
licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which Compass is a party and 
pursuant to which Compass or any other person is authorized to use any 
Compass Intellectual Property Right; and (iii) all licenses under which 
Compass is or may be obligated to make royalty or other payments.  Copies of 
all licenses, sublicenses, and other agreements identified pursuant to clause 
(ii) above have been delivered by Compass to Avant!. 

          (c)  Compass is not in violation in any material respect of any 
license, sublicense or agreement described in SCHEDULE 3.17.  As a result of 
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of Compass' 
obligations hereunder, Compass will not be in violation in any material 
respect of any license, sublicense or agreement described in SCHEDULE 3.17, 
or lose or in any way impair any rights pursuant thereto.

          (d)  Compass is the absolute owner or exclusive licensee of, with 
all necessary right, title and interest in and to (free and clear of any 
liens, encumbrances or security interests), the Compass Intellectual Property 
Rights and has rights to the use, sale, license or disposal thereof in 
connection with the services or products in respect of which the Compass 
Intellectual Property Rights are being used or proposed to be used in 
connection with products currently under development. 

          (e)  No claims with respect to the Compass Intellectual Property 
Rights have been asserted to Compass, or to Compass' knowledge, are 
threatened by any person, (i) to the effect that Compass infringes any 
copyright, patent, trade secret, or other intellectual property right of any 
third party or violates any license or agreement with any third party, (ii) 
contesting the right of Compass to use, sell, license or dispose of any 
Compass Intellectual Property Rights, 

                                       20
<PAGE>

or (iii) challenging the ownership, validity or effectiveness of any of the 
Compass Intellectual Property Rights. 

          (f)  To Compass' knowledge, all trademarks, service marks, and 
other company, product or service identifiers held by Compass are valid and 
subsisting. 

          (g)  To the best of Compass' knowledge, there has not been and 
there is not now any unauthorized use, infringement or misappropriation of 
any of the Compass Intellectual Property Rights by any third party, 
including, without limitation, any service provider of Compass; Compass has 
not been sued or charged as a defendant in any claim, suit, action or 
proceeding that involves a claim of infringement of any patents, trademarks, 
service marks, copyrights or other intellectual property rights.  To Compass' 
knowledge, it does not have any infringement liability with respect to any 
patent, trademark, service mark, copyright or other intellectual property 
right of another. 

          (h)  No Compass Intellectual Property Right is subject to any 
outstanding order, judgment, decree, stipulation or agreement restricting in 
any manner the licensing thereof by Compass.  Compass has not entered into 
any agreement to indemnify any other person against any charge of 
infringement of any Compass Intellectual Property Right, except in the 
ordinary course of business.  Compass has not entered into any agreement 
granting any third party the right to bring infringement actions with respect 
to, or otherwise to enforce rights with respect to, any Compass Intellectual 
Property Right.  Compass has the exclusive right to file, prosecute and 
maintain all applications and registrations with respect to the Compass 
Intellectual Property Rights developed or owned by Compass, except patents 
and patent applications previously assigned to VLSI.

     3.18 EMPLOYEE AGREEMENTS.  To the best of Compass' knowledge, no service 
provider of Compass is in violation of any term of any judgment, decree or 
order, or any term of an employment contract (whether written or verbal), 
patent or trademark disclosure agreement or any other contract or agreement 
relating to the relationship of any such service provider with Compass or any 
other party (including prior employers), because of the nature of the 
business now conducted by Compass.  Each current and former service provider 
of Compass has executed a proprietary information and inventions agreement 
(or similar agreement) with Compass in the form then being used by Compass, 
all of which forms have been attached to SCHEDULE 3.18. 

     3.19 RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.  Except as set forth in 
SCHEDULE 3.19, there is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree 
binding upon Compass or which has or could reasonably be expected to have the 
effect of prohibiting or significantly impairing any material business 
practice of Compass, any material acquisition of property by Compass, or the 
continuation of the business of Compass as currently conducted. 

     3.20 TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ABSENCE OF LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES: CONDITION 
OF EQUIPMENT. 

          (a)  Compass does not own any real property. 

                                       21
<PAGE>

          (b)  All of the existing Compass real property leases have been 
previously delivered to Avant!.  SCHEDULE 3.20 sets forth a complete and 
accurate list of all real property leased by Compass.

          (c)  Compass owns or has valid leasehold interests in all of its 
tangible properties and assets, real, personal and mixed, used in its 
business, free and clear of any liens (other than liens for Taxes that are 
not yet delinquent), charges, pledges, security interests or other 
encumbrances, except as reflected in the Compass Financial Statements and 
except for such imperfections of title and encumbrances, if any, that are not 
substantial in character, amount or extent, and that do not and are not 
reasonably likely to materially detract from the value, or interfere with the 
use, as presently conducted, of the property subject thereto or affected 
thereby.  Compass has delivered to Avant! correct and complete copies of each 
lease identified in SCHEDULE 3.20 and such lease(s) are valid and enforceable 
by Compass in accordance with their terms, except (i) as enforcement may be 
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar laws affecting the 
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (ii) that the availability of 
equitable remedies is subject to the discretion of the court before which any 
proceeding therefor may be brought.  Compass has received no notice that, 
and, to the best of Compass' knowledge, no circumstance exists which, with 
the passage of time or the giving of notice could constitute a default under, 
any such lease(s). Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.20, no consent of any 
party is required to any lease of which Compass is a party as a consequence 
of the Merger.

          (d)  Each item of machinery and equipment (the "Equipment") owned 
or leased by Compass is listed in SCHEDULE 3.20, except such Equipment which 
individually has a net book value of less than $50,000.  The Equipment is (i) 
adequate for the conduct of the business of Compass consistent with its past 
practice, (ii) suitable for the uses to which it is currently employed, (iii) 
in good operating condition, (iv) regularly and properly maintained, and (v) 
not obsolete, dangerous or in need of renewal or replacement, except for 
renewal or replacement in the ordinary course of business. 

          (e)  Since June 27, 1997, there has not occurred any transfer of 
title other than in the ordinary course of business, any material 
abandonment, or any material pilferage or any other material loss with 
respect to, any of its property, plant or equipment. 

          (f)  SCHEDULE 3.20 also contains a true and correct list of all of 
the physical assets (including fixed assets) having a net book value in 
excess of $50,000 owned or leased by Compass or on consignment, provided that 
leased property may be summarized on such schedule by lessor, lease number, 
amount financed and type of equipment.  All improvements on leased property 
used in the business of Compass and the present use thereof are performed in 
all material respects in accordance with all applicable laws.  The net book 
value of any fixed assets used in Compass' business has not been written up 
or down, other than pursuant to depreciation or amortization expense in 
accordance with its historical practice.

     3.21 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS AND LICENSES.  SCHEDULE 3.21 sets forth 
all of Compass' licenses, authorizations, permits, concessions, certificates 
and other franchises of any Governmental Entity required to operate its 
business as currently conducted (collectively, the 

                                       22
<PAGE>

Government Licenses). Compass is in compliance in all material respects with 
the terms, conditions, limitations, restrictions, standards, prohibitions, 
requirements and obligations of such Government Licenses.  The Government 
Licenses are in full force and effect.  There is not now pending, nor, to the 
best of Compass' knowledge, is there threatened, any action, suit, 
investigation or proceeding against Compass before any Governmental Entity 
with respect to the Government Licenses, nor is there any issued or 
outstanding notice, order or complaint with respect to the violation by 
Compass of the terms of any Government License or any rule or regulation 
applicable thereto. 

     3.22 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. 
     
          (a)  For purposes of this Section 3.22, the following terms shall
have the following meanings: 

               (i)    "Court Order" shall mean any judgment, order, award or 
decree of any foreign, federal, provincial, state, local or other court or 
tribunal, or any Governmental Entity, and any award in any arbitration 
proceeding. 

               (ii)   "Disposal Site" shall mean landfill, disposal agent, 
waste hauler or recycler of Hazardous Materials. 

               (iii)  "Environmental Encumbrance" shall mean any lien, claim, 
charge, security interest, mortgage, pledge, easement, conditional sale or 
other title retention agreement, defect in title, covenant or other 
restrictions of any kind in favor of any Governmental Entity for (i) any 
liability under any Environmental Law or (ii) damages arising from, or costs 
incurred by such Governmental Entity in response to, a Release or threatened 
Release of Hazardous Material into the environment. 

               (iv)   "Environmental Laws" shall mean all Requirements of 
Laws that relate to any Hazardous Material, any Hazardous Materials 
Activities or the use, handling, transportation, production, spin, lead 
pumping, injection, deposit, disposal discharge, Release, threatened Release, 
migration, emission, sale or storage of, or the exposure of any person to, 
Hazardous Material 

               (v)    "Governmental Permits" shall mean all licenses, 
franchises, permits, privileges, immunities, approvals and other 
authorizations from a Governmental Entity. 

               (vi)   "Hazardous Material" shall mean any material or 
substance that is prohibited or regulated by any Requirement of Law or that 
is designated by any Governmental Entity to be radioactive, toxic, hazardous 
or otherwise a danger to health, reproduction or the environment. 

               (vii)  "Hazardous Materials Activities" shall mean the 
generation, release, storage, use, handling, transportation, distribution, 
sale, Release or threatened Release of, or Remedial Action concerning any 
Hazardous Material, performed in connection with Compass' business or the 
Real Property. 

                                       23
<PAGE>

               (viii) "Real Property" shall mean real property now or at any 
time in the past owned or leased by Compass or any predecessors. 

               (ix)   "Release" shall mean release, spill, emission, leaking, 
pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or 
migration of Hazardous Material in, on, under or through the Real Property or 
the air, soil, surface water, ground water or improvements thereof. 

               (x)    "Remedial Action" shall mean any reporting, 
investigation, characterization, feasibility study, health assessment, risk 
assessment, remediation, treatment, recycling, removal, transport, 
monitoring, maintenance or any other activity incident to the Release, 
threatened Release, investigation, remediation or removal of Hazardous 
Material existing on the Real Property or in, on, under or through the air, 
soil, ground water, surface water or improvements thereof.

               (xi)   "Requirements of Laws" shall mean any laws, statutes, 
regulations, rules, guidelines, codes, ordinances, judgments, injunctions' 
decrees, orders, permits, approvals, treaties or protocols enacted, adopted, 
issued or promulgated by any Governmental Entity (including, without 
limitation, those pertaining to electrical building, zoning, environmental 
and occupational safety and health requirements) or common law in effect on 
the date hereof. 

          (b)  Except to the extent described in reasonable detail in 
SCHEDULE 3.22 hereto:

               (i)    Compass complies in all respects with any applicable 
existing federal, state or local law, statute or regulation, or any existing 
decree, order, arbitration award, or any license or permit issued by any 
federal, state or local governmental authority relating to the Environmental 
Laws, including, without limitation, Environmental Laws relating to: (i) 
Hazardous Materials; (ii) air, water and noise pollution; (iii) ground water 
contamination; (iv) the release or threatened release into the environment of 
Hazardous Materials; (v) the protection of wildlife, marine sanctuaries and 
wetlands; (vi) the protection of natural resources; (vii) storage tanks, 
vessels and related equipment; (viii) abandoned or discarded barrels, 
containers and other closed receptacles; (ix) health and safety of employees 
and other persons; and (x) otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, 
use, distribution, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation or handling 
of Hazardous Materials;

               (ii)   Compass has obtained all environmental health and 
safety Governmental Permits necessary for its operation or required by any 
Environmental Laws, all such Governmental Permits are in good standing, and 
Compass is in compliance in all material respects with all terms and 
conditions of such permits; 

               (iii)  to Compass' knowledge, none of Compass nor any of the 
Real Property or present or past Compass operations is subject to any pending 
or ongoing investigation by notice or order from or agreement with any person 
with respect to (A) any claim 

                                       24
<PAGE>

of Environmental Law, (B) any Remedial Action or (C) any claim of losses and 
expenses arising from the Release or threatened Release of Hazardous 
Material; 

               (iv)   Compass is not subject to any pending or existing 
judicial or administrative proceeding, Court Order or settlement alleging or 
addressing a violation of or liability under any Environmental Law; 

               (v)    Compass has not filed, and Compass does not intend to 
file any notice or report under any Environmental Law reporting a violation 
of any Environmental Law;

               (vi)   to Compass' knowledge, there is not now, and there has 
never been, on or under any Real Property; (A) any underground storage tank 
or surface impoundment; or (B) any landfill or waste pile that either is or 
was used to dispose or store any Hazardous Material or contains or contained 
Hazardous Material; 

               (vii)  Compass has not received any notice of claim to the 
effect that it is or may be liable to any person as a result of the Release 
or threatened Release of Hazardous Material into the environment or any 
Hazardous Materials Activities from or on any Real Property; 

               (viii) There are no written notices or written complaints 
which Compass has received in violation of the Environmental Laws;

               (ix)   Compass is not aware of any Environmental Encumbrance 
on any Real Property; 

               (x)    to Compass' knowledge, any asbestos-containing material 
that is on or part of any Real Property is in good repair according to the 
current standards and practices governing such material, and its presence or 
condition does not violate any currently applicable Environmental Law; 

               (xi)   none of the products Compass manufactures, distributes 
or sells or has manufactured, distributed or sold in the past, contains 
substantial amounts of asbestos containing material; 

               (xii)  to Compass' knowledge, no Hazardous Material is present 
on Real Property; 

               (xiii) Hazardous Materials Activities (A) have been conducted 
in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, and (B) have not resulted 
in the exposure of any person to Hazardous Material in a manner that has or 
will cause an adverse health effect to such person; 

               (xiv)  no Court Order, action, proceeding, liability or claim 
exists or, to Compass' knowledge, is threatened, against any Disposal Site 
used by Compass or against 

                                       25
<PAGE>

Compass with respect to any transfer or release of Hazardous Materials by 
Compass to a Disposal Site used by Compass, and there is no valid basis for 
such claim based on any conduct of Compass; 

               (xv)   Compass is not aware of any fact or circumstance that 
is reasonably expected to involve Compass in any environmental litigation or 
impose upon Compass any environmental liability that would have a material 
and adverse effect on the Business Condition of Compass; and 

               (xvi)  Compass has no records pertaining to environmental 
audits or environmental assessments of any Real Property. 

          (c)  Except to the extent described in reasonable detail on 
SCHEDULE 3.22 attached hereto, there have been no events, conditions, 
circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions or plans (i) which 
may prevent continued compliance by Compass with the Environmental Laws or 
which may give rise to any criminal or civil liability on the part of Compass 
or Avant! under the Environmental Laws, and (ii) which could have a material 
adverse effect on the Compass' Business Condition.

     3.23 INSURANCE.  Excluding any policies held by VLSI that included 
coverage for Compass as a majority-owned subsidiary, SCHEDULE 3.23 lists all 
insurance policies and fidelity bonds covering the assets, business, 
equipment, properties, operations, employees, officers and directors of 
Compass, and the amounts of coverage under each such policy and bond of 
Compass.  Compass has not been refused any requested coverage and no material 
claim made by Compass has been denied by the underwriters of such policies or 
bonds.  All premiums payable under all such policies and bonds have been 
paid, and Compass is otherwise in full compliance with the terms of such 
policies and bonds (or other policies and bonds providing substantially 
similar insurance coverage).  Compass is in compliance in all material 
respects with each of such policies.  Compass does not know of any threatened 
termination of, the invalidation of any coverage of or premium increase with 
respect to, any of such policies. 

     3.24 LABOR MATTERS.  Compass is in compliance in all material respects 
with all currently applicable laws and regulations respecting employment, 
discrimination in employment, terms and conditions of employment and wages 
and hours and occupational safety and health and employment practices, and 
Compass is not engaged in any unfair labor practice.  Compass has not 
received any notice from any Governmental Entity; and, to the best of 
Compass' knowledge, there has not been asserted before any Governmental 
Entity, any claim action or proceeding to which Compass is a party or 
involving Compass, and there is neither pending nor, to the best of Compass' 
knowledge, threatened any investigation or hearing concerning Compass arising 
out of or based upon any such laws, regulations or practices.  There are no 
strikes or labor disputes pending or threatened by or any attempts at union 
organization of any Compass employees.  No employee or group of employees 
whose continued services are material to Compass business as presently 
conducted and as intended to be conducted with regard to products currently 
under development has terminated employment and, to the best of Compass' 
knowledge, there is none that intends to do so. 

                                       26
<PAGE>

     3.25 PERSONNEL.  Set forth on SCHEDULE 3.25 is a true and complete list 
identifying all current directors, officers, regular and temporary employees, 
independent contractors and consultants of Compass, as of the date hereof, 
setting forth the job title of, salary (including bonuses and commissions) 
payable to each such person and the location at which each employee is based. 
None of such service providers whose annual base compensation exceeds 
$100,000 has indicated to Compass a present intention to resign or retire. 
Except as may be modified by law for employees outside the State of 
California, the employment of each of Compass' employees is at-will 
employment.  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.25, Compass does not have any 
obligation (i) to provide any particular form or period of notice prior to 
termination or (ii) to pay any of such employees any severance benefits in 
connection with their termination of employment or service.  In addition, no 
severance pay will become due to any Compass employees or other service 
providers in connection with the Merger as a result of any Compass agreement, 
plan or program.  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.25, Compass has not 
entered into any consulting agreements with any service provider who owes 
services to or are owed compensation by Compass for services provided.

     3.26 QUESTIONABLE PAYMENTS.  Neither Compass nor any director, officer 
or other employee, agent or representative of Compass has (a) made any 
illegal payments or provided services or other favors that are illegal in the 
United States of America or in any foreign country in order to obtain 
preferential treatment or consideration by any Governmental Entity with 
respect to any aspect of the business of Compass; or (b) made any political 
contributions that would not be lawful under the laws of the United States or 
the foreign country in which such payments were made.  To Compass' knowledge, 
neither Compass nor any director, officer or other employee, agent or 
representative of Compass has been the subject of any inquiry or 
investigation by any Governmental Entity in connection with payments or 
benefits or other favors to or for the benefit of any governmental or armed 
services official, agent, representative or employee with respect to any 
aspect of the business of Compass or with respect to any political 
contribution. 

     3.27 THIRD-PARTY CONSENTS.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.27 and
except as required by the HSR Act and except for approval of the Merger by
Compass' stockholders, no consent or approval is needed from any third party in
order to effect the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or
those that a third party has, to Compass' knowledge, decided are necessary to
avoid the loss of rights to use Compass Intellectual Property Rights.  The
Compass stockholders that are party to the Voting Agreement represent a
sufficient majority of Compass stockholders to approve the Merger and related
transactions.

     3.28 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.  Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.28, 
no employee, officer or director of Compass or member of his or her immediate 
family is indebted to Compass, nor is Compass indebted (or committed to make 
loans or extend or guarantee credit) to or subject to a guarantee from any of 
them.  None of such persons has any direct or indirect ownership interest in 
any firm or corporation with which Compass is affiliated or with which 
Compass has a business relationship, or any firm or corporation that competes 
with Compass, except that the employees, officers or directors of Compass and 
members of their immediate families may own stock in publicly traded 
companies that may compete with Compass.  No 

                                       27
<PAGE>

member of the immediate family of any officer or director of Compass is 
directly interested in any contract with Compass.

     3.29 CUSTOMERS.  SCHEDULE 3.29 sets forth a list of the names of the ten 
(10) largest customers of Compass during the past twelve (12) months 
(determined on the basis of revenues and expenses, respectively, during such 
period).  Compass has not been informed by any of such customers that such 
customer has terminated, or intends to reduce or terminate the use of Compass 
products.

     3.30 BANK ACCOUNTS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY.  Set forth in SCHEDULE 3.30 
is an accurate and complete list showing (a) the name and address of each 
bank in which Compass has an account or safe deposit box, the number of any 
such account or any such box and the names of all persons authorized to draw 
thereon or to have access thereto and (b) the names of all persons, if any, 
holding powers of attorney from Compass and a summary statement of the terms 
thereof. 

     3.31 PRODUCTS.  Compass has delivered to Avant! copies of its warranty 
policies and all outstanding warranties or guarantees relating to any of 
Compass' products other than warranties or guarantees implied by law.  
Compass is not aware of any claim asserting (a) any material damage, loss or 
injury caused by any product, or (b) any breach of any express or implied 
product warranty or any other similar claim with respect to any product other 
than standard warranty obligations (to replace, repair or refund) made by 
Compass in the ordinary course of business.

     3.32 BROKERS OR FINDERS; PROFESSIONAL FEES.  No third party shall be 
entitled to receive any brokerage commissions, finder's fees, fees for 
financial advisory services or similar compensation in connection with the 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or 
agreement made by or on behalf of Compass or any stockholder of Compass 
except Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Inc. for whom VLSI shall be solely 
responsible.

                               ARTICLE IV:
               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AVANT! AND SUB

     Avant! and Sub represents and warrants to Compass that the 
representations and warranties set forth below shall be true and correct as 
of the date hereof.  As used in this Agreement, Business Condition with 
respect to Avant! shall refer to Avant! and all of its subsidiaries taken as 
a whole and shall mean the financial condition, business (including products 
currently under development), results of operations and assets of Avant! and 
all of its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     4.1  ORGANIZATION; STANDING AND POWER.  Each of Avant! and Sub is a 
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the 
laws of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, 
operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now being 
conducted. Avant! is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good 
standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a 
material adverse effect on Avant!'s Business Condition.

                                       28
<PAGE>

     4.2  AUTHORITY.

          (a)  Avant! and Sub have all requisite corporate power and 
authority to enter into this Agreement and the Related Agreements (to the 
extent each is a party), to execute, deliver and perform their respective 
obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions 
contemplated hereby and thereby.  The execution and delivery of this 
Agreement and the Related Agreements, the performance by Avant! and Sub of 
their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of 
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly 
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Avant! and Sub, 
including approval by their respective Boards of Directors and by Avant! as 
the sole stockholder of Sub. Each of this Agreement and the Related 
Agreements is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Avant! and Sub 
enforceable against Avant! and Sub in accordance with its terms, except as 
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws 
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the 
availability of equitable remedies is subject to the discretion of the court 
before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

          (b)  Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 
VI hereto, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related 
Agreements do not and the performance and consummation of the transactions 
contemplated hereby and thereby will not conflict with or result in any 
violation of any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, decree, or 
ordinance applicable to Avant! or Sub or their respective properties or 
assets, or conflict with or result in any conflict with, breach or violation 
or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give 
rise to a right of termination, cancellation, forfeiture or acceleration of 
any obligation or the loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of a 
lien or encumbrance on any of the properties or assets of Avant! or Sub 
pursuant to (i) any provision of their respective Certificate of 
Incorporation or Bylaws, or (ii) any agreement, contract, note, mortgage, 
indenture, lease, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license to 
which Avant! or Sub is a party or by which Avant! or Sub or any of their 
respective property or assets may be bound or affected.

          (c)  No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or 
registration, declaration, qualification, or filing of or with, any 
Governmental Entity is required by or with respect to Avant! or Sub in 
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Related 
Agreements or the consummation by Avant! and Sub of the transactions 
contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing of documents with, and the 
obtaining of orders from, the various securities or "blue sky" authorities, 
(ii) the making of such reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended (the "Exchange Act"), as are required in connection with the 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) the filing of the 
Certificate of Merger with the appropriate documents with the relevant 
governmental authorities, and (iv) compliance with the HSR Act as described 
in Section 5.16.

     4.3  VALID ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF AVANT!.  The Shares of 
Avant! Common Stock, when issued, sold and delivered to the stockholders and 
optionholders of Compass in accordance with the terms hereof for the 
consideration described herein, will be duly 

                                       29
<PAGE>

authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will be issued 
in compliance with all applicable securities laws and will be free and clear 
of any liens, claims, encumbrances or restrictions other than liens or 
encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders hereof.

     4.4  AVANT! FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The financial statements of Avant! 
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, and the 
annual, quarterly or other reports filed on or prior to the Closing Date by 
Avant! with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") (the "Avant! 
Financial Statements") comply as to form in all material respects with 
applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and 
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance 
with GAAP consistently applied (except as may be indicated in the notes 
thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements as permitted by published 
rules and regulations of the SEC) and fairly present the consolidated 
financial position of Avant! and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates 
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and changes in 
financial position for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of 
unaudited statements, to normal recurring audit adjustments).  There has been 
no change in Avant!'s accounting policies or estimates, except as described 
in the notes to the Avant! Financial Statements. There has been no material 
and adverse change in Avant!'s Business Condition subsequent to  June 30, 
1997.

     4.5  LITIGATION.  There is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration or 
investigation pending against Avant! or Sub that in any manner challenges or 
seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the transactions 
contemplated hereby.

     4.6  REPORTS.  Avant! has furnished or made available to Compass 
complete and accurate copies, as amended or supplemented, of (i) its 
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, filed with the SEC, (ii) its 
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC since Avant! became 
obligated to file such reports, and (iii) all other reports and filings made 
with the SEC, including current reports on Form 8-K since Avant! became 
obligated to file such reports (such reports and other filings, together with 
any amendments or supplements thereto, are collectively referred to herein as 
the "Avant! Reports").  As of their respective filing dates, the Avant! 
Reports complied in all material respects with the rules and regulations 
promulgated by the SEC, and none of the Avant! Reports contained any untrue 
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to 
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light 
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Avant! has 
made all filings required under the rules and regulations promulgated by the 
SEC.

     4.7  RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.  There is no agreement, 
judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon Avant! or Sub that has or 
could reasonably have the effect of prohibiting or significantly impairing 
any business practice of Avant!, any acquisition of property by Avant!, or 
the continuation of the business of Avant! as currently conducted or as 
currently proposed to be conducted.

     4.8  BROKERS OR FINDERS; PROFESSIONAL FEES.  No third party shall be 
entitled to receive any brokerage commissions, finder's fees, or similar 
compensation in connection with 

                                       30
<PAGE>

the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or 
agreement made by or on behalf of Avant! or Sub.

     4.9  CONDUCT IN THE ORDINARY COURSE.  Since June 30, 1997, there has not 
occurred any amendments or changes in the charter or Bylaws of Avant! or any 
agreement or arrangement made by Avant! to do the same.

     4.10 THIRD-PARTY CONSENTS.  No consent or approval is needed from any
third party in order to enable Avant! and Sub to effect the Merger or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.11 DUE DILIGENCE INVESTIGATION.  In each case, without affecting the 
right of Avant! and Sub to rely on the representations, covenants and 
warranties made herein by Compass:

          (a)  Each of Avant! and Sub acknowledges that: (i) it has had the 
opportunity to visit with Compass and meet with its officers and other 
representatives to discuss the business and the assets, liabilities, 
financial condition, cash flow and operations of Compass, and (ii) all 
materials and information requested by Avant! have, to Avant!'s knowledge, 
been provided to Avant! to Avant!'s reasonable satisfaction.

          (b)  Each of Avant! and Sub acknowledges that it has made its own 
independent examination, investigation, analysis and evaluation of Compass, 
including its own estimate of the value of Compass' business.

          (c)  Each of Avant! and Sub acknowledges that it has undertaken 
such due diligence (including, without limitation, a review of the assets, 
liabilities, books, records and contracts of Compass) as it deems adequate.

                                   ARTICLE V:
                       CONDUCT AND TRANSACTIONS PRIOR TO
                     EFFECTIVE TIME; ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     5.1  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF COMPASS.  During the period from the date 
hereof and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement 
or the Effective Time of the Merger, Compass shall carry on its business in 
the usual, regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as 
conducted prior to the date of this Agreement and, to the extent consistent 
with such business, use its best efforts to preserve intact its present 
business organizations, keep available the services of its present service 
providers and preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, 
distributors, licensers, licensees, and others with whom it has business 
dealings, to the end that its goodwill and ongoing businesses shall be 
unimpaired at the Effective Time of the Merger.  Compass shall promptly 
notify Avant! of any material event or occurrence not in the ordinary course 
of business of Compass, and any event that would reasonably be expected to 
have a material and adverse effect on the Business Condition of Compass.  
Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, Compass, without the 
prior written consent of Avant! or Sub shall not:

                                       31
<PAGE>

          (a)  Accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability of 
options, warrants, stock or purchase rights or authorize cash payments in 
exchange therefor;

          (b)  Enter into any commitment or transaction not in the ordinary 
course of business to be performed over a period longer than six (6) months 
in duration, or, except as in accordance with its existing capital budget 
previously disclosed to Avant!, to purchase fixed assets with an aggregate 
purchase price exceeding $10,000; 

          (c)  Grant any severance or termination pay to any service 
provider, except mandatory payments made pursuant to standard written 
agreements outstanding on the date hereof (with any such agreement or 
arrangement to be disclosed in SCHEDULE 3.18); 

          (d)  Transfer to any person or entity any rights to the Compass 
Intellectual Property Rights, except licenses of Intellectual Property Rights 
in connection with the sale of Compass products in the ordinary course of 
business consistent with past practice; 

          (e)  Enter into or amend any agreements pursuant to which any other 
party is granted marketing or other similar rights of any type or scope with 
respect to any products of Compass; 

          (f)  Violate, amend or otherwise modify, in any material respect, 
the terms of any contract listed in SCHEDULE 3.15; 

          (g)  Commence a lawsuit other than for the routine collection of 
bills; 

          (h)  Declare or pay any dividends on or make any other 
distributions (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any Compass 
Capital Stock, or split, combine or reclassify any of its Common Stock or 
issue or authorize the issuance of other securities in respect of, in lieu 
of, or in substitution for shares of Compass Capital Stock, or repurchase or 
otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of Compass Capital 
Stock except as set forth in the Compass Disclosure Schedules, pursuant to 
the exercise of outstanding Compass Options or pursuant to repurchases of 
Common Stock at cost from former service providers in accordance with the 
terms of agreements providing for the repurchase of shares in connection with 
any termination of service to Compass or repurchase of Compass options 
pursuant to a rescission offer.

          (i)  Issue, deliver or sell or authorize or propose the issuance, 
delivery or sale of or authorization of, the purchase of any shares of 
Compass Capital Stock or securities convertible into, or subscriptions, 
rights, warrants or options to acquire, or other agreements or commitments of 
any character obligating it to issue any such shares or other convertible 
securities, other than the issuance of shares of Compass Common Stock upon 
the exercise of Compass Options;

          (j)  Cause or permit any amendments to Compass' charter or Bylaws, 
or take any action or make any filings with any federal or state regulatory 
agency or department that would modify or alter Compass' corporate, legal or 
regulatory status in any material respect;

                                       32
<PAGE>

          (k)  Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, 
or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other 
manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other 
business organization or division thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to 
acquire any assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to 
the Business Condition of Compass, except as in accordance with its existing 
capital budget previously disclosed to Avant!;

          (l)  Sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of its 
properties or assets except in the ordinary course of business; 

          (m)  Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any 
such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or guarantee any debt 
securities of others; 

          (n)  Adopt or amend any plan, or enter into any employment 
contract, pay any special bonus or special remuneration to any service 
provider, or increase the salaries or wage rates of its employees other than 
pursuant to scheduled employee reviews under normal employee review cycles or 
pursuant to Compass' existing bonus plans, as the case may be, or in 
connection with the hiring of employees other than officers in the ordinary 
course of business, in all cases consistent with past practice, or otherwise 
increase or modify the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable 
by Compass to any of its service providers, except for employees other than 
officers in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, 
or for changes pursuant to employment agreements in effect as of the date 
hereof;

          (o)  Re-value in any material respect any of its assets, including, 
without limitation, writing down the value of inventory or accounts 
receivable; 

          (p)  Pay, discharge or satisfy in an amount in excess of $10,000 in 
any one case any claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued, asserted 
or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or 
satisfaction in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice 
of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Compass Financial 
Statements; 

          (q)  Make any material Tax election, change any material Tax 
election, adopt any Tax accounting method other than in the ordinary course 
of business and consistent with past practice, change any Tax accounting 
method, file any Tax Return (other than any estimated Tax Returns, immaterial 
information returns, payroll Tax Returns or sales Tax Returns) or any 
amendment to a Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax 
claim or assessment or consent to any Tax claim or assessment;

          (r)  Engage in any activities or transactions that are outside the 
ordinary course of its business consistent with past practice, including the 
forming, financing or contributing any property to any business entity;

          (s)  Fail to pay or otherwise satisfy its monetary obligations as 
they become due or consistent with past practice, except such as are being 
contested in good faith;

                                       33
<PAGE>

          (t)  Waive or commit to waive any rights of substantial value; 

          (u)  Cancel, amend or, other than in the ordinary course upon 
expiration of a policy term, renew any insurance policy; 

          (v)  Alter, or enter into any commitment to alter, in any material 
respect its interest in any corporation, association, joint venture, 
partnership or business entity in which Compass directly or indirectly holds 
any interest on the date hereof; 

          (w)  Pay its employees bonuses, other than in the ordinary course 
of business, or any other extraordinary payments to its employees or 
stockholders, including, without limitation, dividends or other distributions 
with respect to its outstanding capital stock;

          (x)  Issue any new options, warrants or any instruments to purchase 
Compass' Capital Stock; or

          (y)  Take, or agree (in writing or otherwise) to take, any of the 
actions described in this Section 5.1 or any action that would make any of 
the representations or warranties or covenants of Compass contained in this 
Agreement untrue or incorrect. 

     5.2  ACCESS TO INFORMATION; PROVISION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

          (a)  Compass shall afford Avant! and its accountants, counsel and 
other representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours in such 
manner as not to disrupt business during the period from the date of this 
Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time of the Merger or the 
termination of this Agreement to (i) all properties, books, contracts, 
commitments and records, and (ii) all other information concerning the 
business, properties and personnel as may reasonably be requested, provided 
that any information provided pursuant hereto or any investigation by each 
party hereto shall not affect such party's right to rely on the 
representations, warranties, agreements and covenants made by the other party 
herein.  Compass shall cause Compass' accountants to cooperate with Avant! in 
reviewing the financial statements of Compass' business.

          (b)  Compass shall provide Avant! with an unaudited monthly balance 
sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows within fifteen (15) days 
of each month-end prior to the Effective Time of the Merger as well as copies 
of such other internal financial statements as may be reasonably requested by 
Avant!.

          (c)  Compass shall provide Avant! with all information regarding 
Compass necessary for the preparation of any documents or filings prepared by 
Avant! to be filed with the SEC and any applicable securities or blue sky 
commissions. 

     5.3  COMPASS STOCKHOLDERS' CONSENT.  Compass shall solicit the consent 
of its stockholders as promptly as practicable after the date hereof for the 
purpose of obtaining the stockholder approval required in connection with the 
transactions contemplated hereby, and shall use its best efforts to obtain 
such approval. 

                                       34
<PAGE>

     5.4  EXCLUSIVITY; ACQUISITION PROPOSALS.  Until the earlier of (i) the 
Closing or (ii) the termination of this Agreement:

          (a)  Compass shall not knowingly, and shall not knowingly cause or 
permit, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, agent or 
representative (including, without limitation, investment bankers, attorneys, 
accountants and consultants), or otherwise:

               (i)    Solicit, initiate or further the submission of 
proposals or offers from, or enter into any agreement with, any firm, 
corporation, partnership, association, group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) 
of the Exchange Act) or other person or entity, individually or collectively 
(including, without limitation, any managers or other employees of Compass or 
any affiliates), other than Avant! and Sub (a "Third Party"), relating to any 
acquisition or purchase of all or any substantial portion of the assets of, 
or any equity interest in, Compass or any merger, consolidation or business 
combination with Compass;

               (ii)   Participate in any discussions or negotiations 
regarding, or furnish to any Third Party any confidential information with 
respect to Compass in connection with any acquisition or purchase of all or 
any substantial portion of the assets of, or any equity interest in, Compass 
or any merger, consolidation or business combination with Compass; or 

               (iii)  Otherwise knowingly cooperate in any way with, or 
assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage, any effort or attempt by 
any Third Party to undertake or seek to undertake any acquisition or purchase 
of all or any portion of the assets of, or any equity interest in, Compass, 
or any merger, consolidation or business combination with Compass. 

          (b)  In the event Compass receives prior to termination of this 
Agreement any offer or indication of interest from any Third Party relating 
to any acquisition or purchase of all or any portion of the assets of, or any 
equity interest in, Compass or any merger, consolidation or business 
combination with Compass, Compass shall promptly notify Avant! and Sub in 
writing, and shall in any such notice, set forth in reasonable detail the 
identity of the Third Party, the terms and conditions of any proposal and any 
other information requested of it by the Third Party or in connection 
therewith. 

          (c)  Compass shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any 
existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Third Party 
conducted prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any of the 
foregoing. 

     5.5  BREACH OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS. 
Each of Avant!, Sub and Compass shall use its respective best efforts to 
refrain from taking any action that from the date hereof through the Closing 
or earlier termination of this Agreement would cause or constitute a breach 
of any of its respective representations, warranties, agreements and 
covenants set forth in this Agreement.  In the event of, and promptly after 
becoming aware of, the actual, pending or threatened occurrence of any event 
that would cause or constitute such a breach or inaccuracy, each party shall 
give detailed notice thereof to the other parties and shall use its best 
efforts to prevent or promptly remedy such breach or inaccuracy. 

                                       35
<PAGE>

     5.6  CONSENTS.  Each of Avant!, Sub and Compass shall promptly apply for 
or otherwise seek and use its best efforts to obtain, all consents and 
approvals required to be obtained by it for the consummation of the Merger, 
and Compass shall use its best efforts to obtain all necessary consents, 
waivers and approvals under any of Compass' agreements, contracts, licenses 
or leases in connection with the Merger, except such consents and approvals 
which are not material to the Business Condition of Compass (the existence of 
which Compass shall have notified Avant! of) or which Avant! and Compass 
agree Compass shall not seek to obtain. 

     5.7  BEST EFFORTS.  If applicable, each of Avant!, Sub and Compass shall 
use best efforts to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby and to 
fulfill and cause to be fulfilled the conditions to closing under this 
Agreement. 

     5.8  LEGAL CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER. 

          (a)  Compass shall take all reasonable actions necessary to comply 
promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed on Compass with 
respect to the Merger and will promptly cooperate with and furnish 
information to Avant! in connection with any such requirements imposed upon 
Avant! or Sub in connection with the Merger.  Compass shall take all 
reasonable actions to obtain (and to cooperate with Avant! and Sub in 
obtaining) any consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption 
by, any Governmental Entity required to be obtained or made by Compass (or by 
Avant! or Sub) in connection with the Merger or the taking of any action 
contemplated thereby or by this Agreement, and to defend such lawsuits or 
other legal proceedings challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated hereby as Compass deems advisable in good faith, to 
lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order adversely 
affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions 
contemplated hereby as Compass deems advisable in good faith, and to effect 
all necessary registrations and filings and submissions of information as 
Compass deems advisable in good faith required by any Governmental Entity, 
and to fulfill all conditions to this Agreement. 

          (b)  Each of Avant! and Sub shall take all reasonable actions 
necessary to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed 
on them with respect to the Merger and will promptly cooperate with and 
furnish information to Compass in connection with any such requirement 
imposed upon Compass or any subsidiary of Compass in connection with the 
Merger.  Avant! and Sub shall take all reasonable actions to obtain (and to 
cooperate with Compass in obtaining) any consent, authorization order or 
approval of, or exemption by, any Governmental Entity required to be obtained 
or made by Avant! or Sub (or by Compass or any of its subsidiaries) in 
connection with the Merger or the taking of any action contemplated thereby 
or by this Agreement, and to defend such lawsuits or other legal proceedings 
challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions 
contemplated hereby as Avant! and Sub deem advisable in good faith, to lift 
or rescind any injunction or restraining order or other order adversely 
affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the transactions 
contemplated hereby as Avant! and Sub deem advisable in good faith, and to 
effect all necessary registrations and 

                                       36
<PAGE>

filings and submissions of information as Avant! and Sub deem advisable in 
good faith, required by any Governmental Entity, and to fulfill all 
conditions to this Agreement. 

     5.9  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Avant! and Compass will make joint 
announcements to employees and the public after the execution of this 
Agreement. Each party will consult in advance with the other concerning the 
timing and content of any announcements, press releases or public statements 
concerning the Merger and will not make any such announcement, release or 
statement to any party who is not entitled to have knowledge of the Merger 
without the other's prior written consent (which consent shall not be 
unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that either Avant! or Compass, or 
its parent, VLSI may make any public statement concerning the Merger without 
the other's consent, after it has used reasonable efforts to obtain consent, 
and in the opinion of counsel for the disclosing party, such statement or 
announcement is required or advisable to comply with applicable law. 

     5.10 AFFILIATES AGREEMENT.  The stockholders of Compass listed on 
SCHEDULE 5.10 are, in Compass' reasonable judgment, the only persons and 
entities that are stockholders of Compass who may be deemed to be 
"affiliates" of Compass within the meaning of Rule 145 (each such person an 
"Affiliate") promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 
"Securities Act") ("Rule 145").  Compass shall deliver or cause to be 
delivered to Avant!, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, from 
each of the Affiliates of Compass who are directors or officers of Compass, 
and concurrently with or promptly following execution of this Agreement from 
each other Affiliate, an Affiliates Agreement in the form attached hereto as 
EXHIBIT 5.10(A).  Avant! and Sub shall be entitled to place appropriate 
legends on the certificates evidencing any Avant! Common Stock to be received 
by such Affiliates pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to issue 
appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for Avant! 
Common Stock, consistent with the terms of such Affiliates Agreement.  Such 
Affiliates Agreements shall not impose any greater restrictions on Affiliates 
than are required by law.

     5.11 EXPENSES.  All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this 
Agreement and the Related Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby 
and thereby, including fees of any finders or brokers or investment bankers, 
attorneys and accountants retained by such party, shall be paid by the party 
incurring such expense.

     5.12 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED.  All information supplied by Compass, 
Avant! and Sub for inclusion in the Compass stockholder solicitation 
materials as described in Section 5.3 above and any other solicitation 
materials relating to the Merger or relating to any offering of securities by 
Avant! shall not contain any untrue statement of material fact and shall not 
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to 
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they 
are made, not misleading.

     5.13 FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  Within thirty (30) days of the 
Effective Time of the Merger, Avant! shall file with the SEC a registration 
statement on Form S-3 to register the Avant! Common Stock issued pursuant to 
the Merger for resale.  Avant! will, at its expense (excluding any broker 
fees and commissions), use its best efforts to cause such 

                                       37
<PAGE>

registration statement to become effective, and, subject to the provisions 
below, use best efforts to, keep such registration statement effective for 
the lesser of one (1) year or until all such shares of Avant! Common Stock 
have been sold.  If at any time after such registration statement becomes 
effective, Avant! advises the holders of such Avant! Common Stock in writing 
that due to the existence of material information that has not been disclosed 
to the public and included in the registration statement it is thus necessary 
to amend the registration statement (including by reporting such information 
under the Exchange Act), the holders of such Avant! Common Stock shall 
suspend any further sale of Avant! Common Stock pursuant to the registration 
statement until the registration statement has been amended.  In such event, 
Avant! shall use best efforts to amend the registration statement as soon as 
reasonably practicable and in no event later than the earlier of (i) ten (10) 
days after Avant! has advised the holders of such Avant! Common Stock to 
suspend sales (which ten (10) day period may be extended, one time only, an 
additional ten (10) days (the "Additional Suspension") if the Board of 
Directors of Avant! in its good faith judgment determines that such 
disclosure would be substantially detrimental to Avant!; provided, however, 
that Avant! shall only have the right to effect an Additional Suspension 
twice in any twelve (12) month period) or (ii) the commencement of any period 
in which directors and officers of Avant! are allowed to buy or sell Common 
Stock of Avant! pursuant to Avant!'s insider trading policy.  Avant! shall 
not impose a suspension on the sale of Avant! Common Stock by the holders of 
Avant! Common Stock unless Avant!'s insider trading window is closed.  In 
addition, Avant! shall use its best efforts to (i) register and qualify the 
Avant! Common Stock covered by such registration statement under such other 
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably 
requested by the holders of a majority of such Avant! Common Stock; provided 
that Avant! shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition 
thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of 
process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless Avant! is already subject 
to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the 
Securities Act; and (ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and 
other documents required of Avant! under the Exchange Act.    

     5.14 SCHEDULES.  From time to time prior to the Closing Date, each of 
Avant! and Compass will promptly supplement or amend the Compass or Avant! 
Disclosure Schedules, as the case may be, with respect to any matter 
hereafter arising that, if existing or occurring at or prior to the date of 
this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in the 
Compass or Avant! Disclosure Schedules, as the case may be, or that is 
necessary to correct any information in the Compass or Avant! Disclosure 
Schedules, as the case may be, or in any representation and warranty of each 
of Avant! and Compass that has been rendered inaccurate thereby.  For 
purposes of determining the accuracy of the respective representations and 
warranties contained in Articles III and IV, and in order to determine the 
fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and 6.3(a), the 
Compass or Avant! Disclosure Schedules, as the case may be, shall be deemed 
to include only that information contained therein on the date of this 
Agreement and shall be deemed to exclude any information contained in any 
subsequent supplement or amendment thereto; provided, however that for the 
purpose of determining the availability of rights to indemnification under 
Article VII below or otherwise, such revised Compass or Avant! Disclosure 
Schedules, as the case may be, shall be deemed to include all information 
contained in such revised Compass or Avant! Disclosure Schedules as of the 
Closing, as the case may be.

                                       38
<PAGE>

     5.15 CERTAIN BENEFIT PLANS. Avant! shall take such reasonable actions as 
are necessary to allow eligible employees of Compass to participate in the 
benefit programs of Avant!, or alternative benefits programs in the aggregate 
substantially comparable to those applicable to employees of Avant! on 
similar terms, as soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger. 
For purposes of satisfying the terms and conditions of such programs, to the 
extent permitted by Avant!'s benefit programs, Avant! shall use reasonable 
efforts to give full credit for eligibility, vesting or benefit accrual for 
each participant's period of service with Compass or VLSI.

     5.16 HSR ACT FILING. 

          (a)  Each of Avant! and Compass shall (i) promptly make or cause to 
be made the filings required of such party or any of its affiliates or 
subsidiaries under the HSR Act with respect to the Merger and the other 
transactions provided for in this Agreement, (ii) comply at the earliest 
practicable date with any request under the HSR Act for additional 
information, documents, or other material received by such party or any of 
its affiliates or subsidiaries from the Federal Trade Commission or the 
Department of Justice or other Governmental Entity in respect of such 
filings, the Merger, or such other transactions, and (iii) cooperate with the 
other party in connection with any such filing and in connection with 
resolving any investigation or other inquiry of any such agency or other 
Governmental Entity under any Antitrust Laws (as defined in Section 5.16(b)) 
with respect to any such filing, the Merger, or any such other transaction.  
Each party shall promptly inform the other party of any material 
communication with, and any proposed understanding, undertaking, or agreement 
with, any Governmental Entity regarding any such filings, the Merger, or any 
such other transactions.  Neither party shall participate in any meeting with 
any Governmental Entity in respect of any such filings, investigation, or 
other inquiry without giving the other party notice of the meeting and, to 
the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity, the opportunity to attend 
and participate.

          (b)  Each of Avant! and Compass shall use its commercially 
reasonable efforts to resolve such objections, if any, as may be asserted by 
any Governmental Entity with respect to the Merger or any other transactions 
provided for in this Agreement under the HSR Act, the Sherman Act, as 
amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as 
amended, and any other federal, state or foreign statutes, rules, 
regulations, orders, or decrees that are designed to prohibit, restrict or 
regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint 
of trade (collectively, "Antitrust Laws").  In connection therewith, if any 
administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted (or threatened 
to be instituted) challenging the Merger as violative of any Antitrust Law, 
and, if by mutual agreement, Compass and Avant! decide that litigation is in 
their best interests, each of Compass and Avant! shall cooperate and use its 
reasonable efforts vigorously to contest and resist any such action or 
proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed, or overturned any decree, 
judgment, injunction, or other order, whether temporary, preliminary, or 
permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents, or restricts 
consummation of the Merger.  Each of Compass and Avant! shall use 
commercially reasonable efforts to take such action as may be required to 
cause the expiration of the notice periods under the HSR Act or other 
Antitrust Laws with respect to the Merger and 

                                       39
<PAGE>

such other transactions as promptly as possible after the execution of this 
Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.16, 
neither Compass or any of its affiliates, nor Avant! or any of its 
affiliates, shall be required to divest any of their respective businesses, 
product lines, or assets, or to take or agree to take any other action or 
agree to any limitation that would have a material adverse effect on their 
respective businesses, product lines or assets.

     5.17 LISTING OF SHARES. Upon Closing, Avant! will amend its listing 
application with the Nasdaq National Market to include the Avant! Common 
Stock issued under this Agreement.

     5.18 VOTING AGREEMENT.  Compass and the parties listed on SCHEDULE 
3.2(E) hereto shall enter into the Voting Agreement attached hereto as 
EXHIBIT 3.21(E) concurrent with the execution of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VI:
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     6.1  CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER.  The 
respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to 
the satisfaction (or, to the extent legally permissible, waiver) prior to the 
Closing of the following conditions: 

          (a)  APPROVALS.  All authorizations, consents, orders or approvals 
of, or declarations or filings with or expiration of waiting periods imposed 
by, any Governmental Entity necessary for the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been filed, occurred 
or been obtained. 

          (b)  LEGAL ACTION.  No temporary restraining order, preliminary 
injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing the consummation 
of the Merger shall have been issued by any Governmental Entity of competent 
jurisdiction and remain in effect, and no litigation not pending on the date 
hereof shall be pending the ultimate resolution of which may in the opinion 
of Avant! or Compass (i) result in the issuance of such an order or 
injunction, or the imposition against Compass or Avant! of substantial 
damages if the Merger is consummated, or (ii) render Avant!, Sub or Compass 
unable to consummate the Merger.  In the event any such order or injunction 
shall have been issued, each party agrees to use its best efforts to have any 
such injunction lifted as promptly as practicable.

          (c)  STATUTES.  No action shall have been taken, and no statute, 
rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, promulgated or issued or 
deemed applicable to the Merger by any Governmental Entity of competent 
jurisdiction that would (i) make the consummation of the Merger illegal or 
(ii) render Avant!, Sub or Compass unable to consummate the Merger, except 
for any waiting period provisions. 

          (d)  HSR.  The applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating 
to the Merger shall have expired or been terminated.

                                       40
<PAGE>

          (e)  STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  This Agreement and the Merger shall 
have been approved and adopted by (i) the holders of Compass Capital Stock 
representing a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast on such 
matters, (ii) the holders of a majority of the shares of Compass Preferred 
Stock outstanding and voting together as a single class, and (iii) the 
holders of a majority of the shares of Compass Common Stock outstanding and 
voting together as a single class.

     6.2  CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS OF AVANT! AND SUB.  The obligations of 
Avant! and Sub to effect the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction of 
the following conditions, unless waived by Avant!:

          (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations and 
warranties of Compass set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to 
materiality shall be true and correct as so qualified, and the 
representations and warranties of Compass set forth in this Agreement that 
are not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects as of 
the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and 
as of the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation or 
warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date), and Avant! shall have 
received a certificate signed on behalf of Compass by the chief executive 
officer and chief financial officer of Compass to such effect.

          (b)  PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF COMPASS.  Compass shall have 
performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants required to 
be performed by it under this Agreement prior to the Closing Date, and Avant! 
shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Compass by the chief 
executive officer and the chief financial officer of Compass to such effect.

          (c)  AFFILIATES AGREEMENT.  Avant! shall have received from each 
stockholder of Compass listed on SCHEDULE 5.10, a duly executed Affiliates 
Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto and approved by Avant!'s 
and Compass' respective counsel. 

          (d)  TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT.  Compass and VLSI shall have 
amended that certain Intercompany Agreement, dated July 1, 1991, by and 
between Compass and VLSI in a manner satisfactory to Avant!.

          (e)  ESCROW AGREEMENT.  The Escrow Agreement shall be executed by 
all appropriate parties. 

          (f)  OPINION OF COMPASS' COUNSEL.  Avant! shall have received an 
opinion dated the Closing Date of Larry L. Grant, counsel to Compass, in form 
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Avant!.

          (g)  DISSENTING SHARES.  Dissenting Shares shall consist of no more 
than ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding shares of Compass Capital 
Stock.

                                       41
<PAGE>

          (h)  CONSENTS.  Avant! shall have received duly executed copies of 
all third-party consents and approvals contemplated by this Agreement or the 
Compass Schedules in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Avant!.

          (i)  FIRPTA.  Compass shall, prior to the Closing Date, provide 
Avant! with a properly executed Foreign Investment and Real Property Tax Act 
of 1980 ("FIRPTA") Notification Letter, in form and substance satisfactory to 
Avant!, which states that shares of Compass Capital Stock do not constitute 
"United States real property interests" under Section 897(c) of the Code, for 
purposes of satisfying Avant!'s obligations under Treasury Regulation Section 
1.1445-2(c)(3).  In addition, simultaneously with delivery of such 
Notification Letter, Compass shall have provided to Avant!, as agent for 
Compass, a form of notice to the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with 
the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.897-2(h)(2) along with 
written authorization for Avant! to deliver such notice form to the Internal 
Revenue Service on behalf of Compass upon the Closing of the Merger.

          (j)  TERMINATION OF RIGHTS AND CERTAIN SECURITIES.  Any 
registration rights or rights of first refusal and/or negotiation relating to 
any outstanding Compass Capital Stock shall by their terms terminate upon the 
Closing or have been terminated or permanently waived as of the Closing, 
which termination or waiver may be strictly contingent upon the occurrence of 
the Closing.  Except as contemplated by Section 3.2, with such changes as may 
be permitted under Section 5.1, there shall be no warrants, options, 
convertible securities or other rights to purchase or acquire any securities 
of Compass outstanding.

     6.3  CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATION OF COMPASS.  The obligation of Compass to 
effect the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction of the following 
conditions unless waived by Compass:

          (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations and 
warranties of Avant! set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to 
materiality shall be true and correct as so qualified, and the 
representations and warranties of Avant! set forth in this Agreement that are 
not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each 
case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though 
made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent any such 
representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date), and 
Compass shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Avant! by the 
chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Avant! to such effect.

          (b)  PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS OF AVANT! AND SUB.  Avant! and Sub 
shall have performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants 
required to be performed by them under this Agreement and the Certificate of 
Merger prior to the Closing Date, and Compass shall have received a 
certificate signed on behalf of Avant! by the chief executive officer and the 
chief financial officer of Avant! to such effect.

          (c)  NO STOP ORDER.  The SEC shall not have issued any stop order 
preventing the sale of any Common Stock of Avant! pursuant to a registration 
statement.

                                       42
<PAGE>

          (d)  OPINION OF AVANT!'S COUNSEL.  Compass shall have received an 
opinion dated the Closing Date of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve 
Franklin & Hachigian, LLP, counsel to Avant!, in form and substance 
reasonably satisfactory to Compass.

                                   ARTICLE VII: 
                                    INDEMNITY

     7.1  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.  

          (a)  Notwithstanding any investigation conducted at any time with 
regard thereto by or on behalf of any party to this Agreement, all 
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto 
shall survive the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement in 
accordance with section 7.3 of this Agreement.  No investigation made by or 
on behalf of a party hereto with respect to another party shall be deemed to 
affect the party's reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and 
agreements made by the other party contained in this Agreement, when read 
together with the disclosure schedules of such party, and shall not be a 
waiver of Avant!'s or Sub's rights to indemnity as herein provided for the 
breach or inaccuracy of or failure to perform or comply with any of Compass' 
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements under this Agreement or 
the Escrow Agreement.  All representations and warranties of each party set 
forth in this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made again by such party 
at and as of the Closing Date.

          (b)  As used in this Article VII, any reference to a 
representation, warranty, agreement or covenant contained in any section of 
this Agreement shall include the Schedules attached hereto (in the form 
delivered at the time of Closing).

          (c)  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as limiting in 
any way: (i) the remedies that may be available to a party in the event of 
fraud relating to the representations, warranties, agreements or covenants 
made by any other party in this Agreement; (II) Avant!'s right to seek 
indemnification from VLSI for the applicable statute of limitations for 
breaches of section 3.16 of this Agreement.

          (d)  VLSI shall have liabilities and obligations for Damages (as
defined below) under this Agreement only with respect to claims submitted or
notice of claims provided during the time period of survivability of the
specific representation, warranty, covenant or agreement as set forth in
section 7.3.  Notwithstanding the expiration date of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, if Avant! or Compass
shall notify VLSI with respect to the submission of a claim during the time
period of survivability of such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement,
VLSI's liability or obligation for Damages shall continue in full force and
effect until settled with respect to those claims timely made. 

          (e)  Avant! shall be entitled to use the Escrow Proceeds as the 
sole remedy for the obligations of VLSI pursuant to this Article VII of this 
Agreement. 

     7.2  INDEMNIFICATION.  

                                       43
<PAGE>

          (a)  Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VII,
VLSI hereby agrees to indemnify, reimburse, defend and hold harmless Avant!,
Compass and Sub and each of their respective officers, directors, agents and
affiliates against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, demands, claims,
suits, actions, judgments, and causes of action, assessments, costs, and
expenses, including, without limitation, interest, penalties, attorneys' fees,
any and all expenses incurred in investigating, preparing, and defending against
any litigation, commenced or threatened, and any claim whatsoever, and any and
all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation (collectively,
"Damages"), asserted against, resulting from, imposed upon, or incurred or
suffered, directly or indirectly, by Avant!, Compass or Sub and each of their
respective officers, directors, agents and affiliates, directly or indirectly,
as a result of or arising from or in connection with: (i) any inaccuracy in or
breach, or any claim (including claims by parties other than Avant!) that if
true, would constitute a breach, nonfulfillment of or noncompliance with any of
the representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements made by Compass in
this Agreement (including any exhibit, letter, schedule, certificate or document
delivered pursuant hereto or other instrument referred to herein) or the Escrow
Agreement or any facts or circumstances constituting such an inaccuracy, breach,
nonfulfillment or noncompliance; (ii) expenditures in excess of $100,000 in the
aggregate in connection with the lawsuits listed on SCHEDULE 3.9; and (iii) any
Damages resulting from the failure of the Compass Financial Statements to fairly
present the financial position and operating results of Compass in accordance
with GAAP on a separate company basis (all of which shall also be referred to as
"Indemnifiable Claims").  Avant! and Sub shall be entitled to make claims under
the foregoing provisions of this Article VII only in the event that Damages
exceed $100,000 in the aggregate. 

          (b)  VLSI hereby agrees to indemnify, reimburse, defend and hold 
harmless Avant!, Compass and Sub and each of their respective officers, 
directors, agents and affiliates against any and all Damages asserted 
against, resulting from, imposed upon, or incurred or suffered, directly or 
indirectly, by Avant!, Compass or Sub and each of their respective officers, 
directors, agents and affiliates, directly or indirectly, as a result of or 
arising from or in connection with any inaccuracy in or breach, or any claim 
(including claims by parties other than Avant!) that if true, would 
constitute a breach, nonfulfillment of or noncompliance with any of the 
representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements made by Compass in this 
Agreement relating to Taxes (including any exhibit, letter, schedule, 
certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto or other instrument 
referred to herein) or any facts or circumstances constituting such an 
inaccuracy, breach, nonfulfillment or noncompliance including, without 
limitation, any Taxes of Compass and its subsidiaries with respect to any Tax 
year or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date (or for any Tax 
year beginning before and ending after the Closing Date to the extent 
allocable to the portion of such period beginning before and ending on the 
Closing Date), to the extent that such Taxes exceed the sum of (i) the amount 
of Taxes reflected in the reserve for Tax liability (other than any reserve 
established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) 
reflected on the June 27, 1997 balance sheet that is part of the Compass 
Financial Statements and (ii) the amount of Taxes that would have been 
incurred by Compass in the ordinary course of business between June 27, 1997 
and the Closing Date had Compass not been a member of an affiliated, 
consolidated, combined or unitary group for Tax purposes during any part of 
such period. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement 

                                       44
<PAGE>

(including Section 7.3), the obligations of VLSI pursuant to this Section 
7.2(b) shall be unlimited and shall survive until expiration of the 
applicable statute of limitations with respect to any Tax.

     7.3  TERMINATION OF INDEMNITY AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Except 
as otherwise stated in Article VII of this Agreement the indemnity 
obligations of VLSI pursuant to this Article VII for a breach or inaccuracy 
of or a failure to perform or comply with any or all of Compass' 
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements, and the 
representations and warranties of Avant! and Compass shall terminate one (1) 
year after the Effective Time of the Merger.  The covenants of Article V 
listed in Section 9.11 are unaffected by the termination provisions of this 
Section 7.3.  For purposes of the indemnification set forth herein, the fair 
market value of one share of Avant! Common Stock shall be the Average Nasdaq 
Per Share Price.

                                   ARTICLE VIII:
                                    TERMINATION

     8.1  TERMINATION.

          (a)  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the 
Effective Time of the Merger, whether before or after approval of the Merger 
by the stockholders of Compass: 

               (i)    by mutual agreement of the Boards of Directors of 
Avant! and Compass; 

               (ii)   by Avant!, if there has been a material breach by 
Compass or Compass stockholder of any representation, warranty, covenant or 
Agreement set forth in this agreement and, to the extent such breach shall be 
curable, such breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days 
following receipt by Compass of written notice of such breach;

               (iii)  by Compass, if there has been a material breach by 
Avant! or Sub of any representation, warranty, covenant or Agreement set 
forth in this agreement and, to the extent such breach shall be curable, such 
breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days following receipt by 
Avant! of written notice of such breach;;

               (iv)   by Compass or Avant!, if any permanent injunction or 
other order of a court preventing the Merger shall have become final and 
nonappealable or shall render unlikely within a reasonable period of time the 
consummation of the Merger on the terms contemplated hereby; or

               (v)    by Compass or Avant!, if any Governmental Entity of 
competent jurisdiction shall have issued a temporary restraining order, 
preliminary injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing the 
consummation of the Merger or any litigation not pending on the date hereof 
shall be pending, the ultimate resolution of which is likely in such party's 
opinion to (i) result in the issuance of such an order or injunction, or the 
imposition 

                                        45
<PAGE>

against the Surviving Corporation or Avant! of substantial damages if the 
Merger is consummated, or (ii) render Avant!, Sub or Compass unable to 
consummate the Merger.

          (b)  Where action is taken to terminate this Agreement pursuant to 
this Section 8.1, it shall be sufficient authorization for such action to be 
authorized by the Board of Directors of the party taking such action and for 
such party to notify the other parties in writing of the termination.

          (c)  If the Effective Date shall not have occurred on or before 
October 31, 1997, this Agreement may be terminated by Avant! or Compass with 
prior written notice to the other party provided that the right to terminate 
this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall not be available to any 
party whose failure to fulfill any material, uncured breach of any obligation 
under this Agreement that has been a significant cause of, or resulted in, 
the failure of the Effective Date to occur on or before such date and 
provided further that, except as otherwise provided herein, no such 
termination shall relieve any party hereto of any liability or damages 
resulting from any breach of this Agreement.

                                ARTICLE IX:
                             GENERAL PROVISIONS

     9.1  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at 
any time before or after approval of the Merger by the stockholders of 
Compass; provided, however, that following approval of the Merger by the 
stockholders of Compass, no amendment shall be made that by law requires the 
further approval of such stockholders without obtaining such further 
approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in 
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto. 

     9.2  EXTENSION; WAIVER.  At any time prior to the Effective Time of the 
Merger, each of Compass and Avant!, to the extent legally allowed, (a) may 
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts 
of the other, (b) may waive any inaccuracies in the representations and 
warranties made to it contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant 
hereto, and (c) may waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions 
for the benefit of it contained herein.  Any agreement on the part of a party 
hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an 
instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. 
     
     9.3  NOTICES.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be 
in writing and shall be deemed given (a) on the same day if delivered 
personally, (b) three (3) business days after being mailed by registered or 
certified mail (return receipt requested), or (c) on the same day if sent by 
facsimile, confirmation received, to the parties at the following addresses 
and facsimile numbers (or at such other address or number for a party as 
shall be specified by like notice): 

                              If to Avant! or Sub, to:

                              Avant! Corporation

                                       46
<PAGE>

                              46871 Bayside Parkway
                              Fremont, California  94538
                              Attention: John P. Huyett
                              Telephone No.: (510) 413-8000
                              Facsimile No.: (510) 413-8080
                              
                              with copy to:
                              
                              Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve
                                Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
                              155 Constitution Drive
                              Menlo Park, California  94025
                              Attention: Steven M. Spurlock, Esq.
                              Telephone No.: (415) 321-2400 
                              Facsimile No.: (415) 321-2800

                              If to Compass:

                              Compass Design Automation, Inc.
                              1865 Lundy Avenue
                              San Jose, California  95131
                              Attention: Paul McLellan
                              Telephone No.: (408) 434-7990
                              Facsimile No.: (408) 434-7820

                              If to VLSI:

                              VLSI Technology, Inc.
                              1109 McKay Drive, MS-45
                              San Jose, California  95131
                              Attention: Larry L. Grant, Esq.
                              Telephone No.: (408) 434-3063
                              Facsimile No.: (408) 434-7744

                              with copy to:

                              Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
                              650 Page Mill Road
                              Palo Alto, California  94304
                              Attention: Ann Yvonne Walker, Esq.
                              Telephone No.: (415) 493-9300
                              Facsimile No.: (415) 493-6811

     9.4  INTERPRETATION.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to 
Sections, Exhibits or Schedules, such references shall be to a Section, 
Exhibit or Schedule to this 

                                       47
<PAGE>

Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  The words "include," "includes" and 
"including" when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by 
the words "without limitation."

     9.5  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more 
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and 
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each 
of the parties and delivered to the other party. 

     9.6  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Except for the mutual nondisclosure agreement 
previously signed by the parties hereto, which shall survive in its entirety, 
this Agreement and the documents and instruments and other agreements among 
the parties delivered pursuant hereto constitute the entire agreement among 
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior 
agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and 
oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and are not 
intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder 
except as otherwise expressly provided herein.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES 
THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THIS 
AGREEMENT, NEITHER AVANT! AND SUB NOR COMPASS MAKES ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS 
OR WARRANTIES, AND EACH HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR 
WARRANTIES MADE BY ITSELF OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, 
AGENTS, FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES, WITH RESPECT 
TO THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS 
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO THE OTHER 
OR THE OTHER'S REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION WITH 
RESPECT TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOREGOING.

     9.7  NO TRANSFER.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations set 
forth herein may not be transferred or assigned by operation of law or 
otherwise without the consent of each party hereto.  This Agreement is 
binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their 
respective successors and permitted assigns. 

     9.8  SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Agreement, or the 
application thereof, will for any reason and to any extent be invalid or 
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and application of such 
provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as 
reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto.  The parties further 
agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with 
a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, 
the economic, business and other purposes of the void or unenforceable 
provision. 

     9.9  OTHER REMEDIES.  Unless otherwise expressly specified herein, any 
and all remedies set forth in this Agreement and in the Related Agreements 
expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not 
exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby or by law or equity on such 
party; and the exercise of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of 
any other. 

                                       48
<PAGE>

     9.10 FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Each party agrees to cooperate fully with the 
other parties and to execute such further instruments, documents and 
agreements and to give such further written assurances as may be reasonably 
requested by any other party to evidence and reflect the transactions 
described herein and contemplated hereby and to carry into effect the intents 
and purposes of this Agreement. 

     9.11 ABSENCE OF THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY RIGHTS.  No provision of this 
Agreement is intended, or will be interpreted, to provide to or create for 
any third-party beneficiary rights or any other rights of any kind in any 
client, customer, affiliate, stockholder, employee, partner or any party 
hereto or any other person or entity, and all provisions hereof will be 
personal solely between the parties to this Agreement, except that the 
provisions of Section 5.15 shall be for the benefit of the employees of 
Compass, and Article IV and Sections 5.13 and 5.17 shall be for the benefit 
of the stockholders of Compass and shall be enforceable by such individuals 
against Avant! subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 

     9.12 GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed in all respects, 
including validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the State of 
Delaware (without giving effect to its choice of law principles).  Provided, 
however, that the law governing the fiduciary duties of each party hereto and 
their respective boards of directors and the law governing any other matters 
of internal corporate governance of any of Avant! or Compass shall be the law 
of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation.

                                       49
<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement and 
Plan of Reorganization as of the date first above written.
     
                                       AVANT! CORPORATION
     
     
                                       By: 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Gerald C. Hsu
                                          Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
                                          Officer and President
     
     
                                       COMPASS DESIGN AUTOMATION, INC. 
     
     
                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Paul McLellan
                                          President
     
     
                                       GB ACQUISITION CORPORATION
     
     
                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Gerald C. Hsu
                                          President
     
     
                                       VLSI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
     
     
                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Larry L. Grant
                                          Vice President, General Counsel and 
                                          Secretary

<PAGE>

             AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     THIS AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this 
"Amendment") is made as of August 27, 1997, by and among Avant! Corporation, 
a Delaware corporation ("Avant!"), GB Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware 
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Avant! ("Sub"), Compass Design 
Automation, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Compass"), and VLSI Technology, 
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("VLSI").  

                        R E C I T A L S

     WHEREAS, Avant!, Sub, Compass and VLSI entered into that certain 
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated July 31, 1997 (the "Merger 
Agreement"); and 

     WHEREAS, Avant!, Sub, Compass and VLSI desire to amend the Merger 
Agreement as provided below.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and conditions 
contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.  Section 2.1(c)(i) of the Merger Agreement be, and it hereby is, 
amended and restated to read in full as follows:

         "(i) CONVERSION OF COMPASS PREFERRED STOCK.  Each share of the 
Series A Preferred Stock of Compass (the "Compass Preferred Stock") issued 
and outstanding at the Effective Time of the Merger (other than any shares of 
Compass Preferred Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) and any 
Dissenting Shares (as defined and to the extent provided in Section 2.1(f)) 
shall be canceled and extinguished and be converted automatically into the 
right to receive that portion of the aggregate amount of $35,000,000 (the 
"Merger Consideration") to which such share of Compass Preferred Stock is 
entitled under, and in accordance with, Article Four, Section 2(a) of the 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Compass (the "Liquidation 
Preference").  Such Liquidation Preference equals the sum of $1.00 per share 
plus all accrued but unpaid dividends. Additionally, the holders of Compass 
Preferred Stock shall share ratably in the difference between the Merger 
Consideration and the aggregate Liquidation Preference (the "Net Merger 
Consideration") with the holders of the Common Stock of Compass and the 
holders of vested options to purchase Common Stock of Compass (assuming that 
all such options have been exercised).  The aggregate Liquidation Preference 
plus the portion of the Net Merger Consideration payable to the holders of 
Compass Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(i) (the "Compass 
Preferred Stock Consideration") shall be payable in a combination of cash and 
shares of Avant! Common Stock.  For the purpose of determining the number of 
shares of Avant! Common Stock issuable to the holders of the Compass 
Preferred Stock, the price of the Avant! Common Stock shall be the average 
closing sales price of Avant! Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq National 
Market for the five (5) consecutive trading days ending three (3) business 
days prior to the Closing Date of the Merger (the "Average Nasdaq Per Share 
Price").  The total dollar and share amounts of the Compass Preferred Stock 
Consideration allocated to the holders of Compass Preferred Stock are set 
forth in EXHIBIT 2.1(c), 

<PAGE>

subject to appropriate adjustments at the Closing to reflect the total of 
accrued but unpaid dividends as of such date and the Average Nasdaq Per Share 
Price."

     2.  The following provision shall be inserted into the Merger Agreement 
as Section 5.19:

         "5.19  ELECTION PURSUANT TO INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 338(h)(10).

         (a)  VSLI agrees, at the request of Avant!, to join in an election 
under Section 388(h)(10) of the Code (hereinafter referred to as the 
"Election") and, at the request of Avant!, to join in an election under any 
comparable provisions of state or local law under which such an Election is 
permissible and to take all actions reasonably necessary to effect same, 
including those actions set forth below.

         (b)  Avant! shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of 
all forms and documents required in connection with the Election. VLSI shall 
pay all Taxes resulting from the Election; provided, however, that if prior 
to making such Election VLSI shall inform Avant! of the amount (the 
"Additional Tax Amount") of the difference, if any, between the Taxes VLSI is 
required to pay as a result of the Election and the Taxes that VLSI would 
otherwise have incurred by reason of the Merger if the Election were not made 
but the Merger were consummated, then Avant! shall indemnify VLSI for the 
payment of the Additional Tax Amount. VLSI shall execute and deliver to 
Avant! such documents or forms as are reasonably requested and are required 
by any tax laws to complete properly the Election at least twenty (20) days 
prior to the date such Election is required to be filed. For the purpose of 
executing the Election, VLSI and Avant! shall, as soon as practicable after 
the Effective Date of the Merger but in no event sooner than 90 days 
thereafter, execute Internal Revenue Service Form 8023-A and all attachments 
required to be filed therewith pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations. 
Avant! shall not file such Form 8023-A or the attachments thereto as 
corrected, amended or supplemented unless it shall have obtained VLSI's 
consent thereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. On or 
prior to the tenth (10th) day after VLSI's receipt of such corrections, 
amendments or supplements from Avant!, VLSI shall deliver to Avant! either 
(i) its consent to such filing or (ii) a written notice specifying in 
reasonable detail all disputed items and the basis therefore. If, within ten 
(10) days after Avant!'s receipt of the written notice described in clause 
(ii) above, VLSI and Avant! have been unable to resolve their differences, 
any remaining disputed issues shall be submitted to Deloitte & Touche LLP to 
resolve in a final and binding manner after hearing the views of both 
parties. In that event, VLSI and Avant! shall execute and consent to the 
filing of such corrected, amended or supplemented Form 8023-A in the manner 
determined by Deloitte & Touche LLP.

         (c)  Avant!, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date the 
forms required under Section 338(h)(10) are required to be filed, shall 
provide VLSI with a valuation statement reflecting, as of the Effective Date 
of the Merger, the fair market values of all of the assets and the 
liabilities of Compass. VLSI shall review said values and to the extent VLSI 
disagrees therewith, will notify Avant!. Should the parties fail to agree, the 
dispute shall be resolved by Deloitte & Touche LLP as set forth above. VLSI 
and Avant! shall file all returns with respect to taxes and statements, forms 
and schedules in connection therewith (including, without limitation, 
Internal Revenue Service Form 8594 and any required exhibits thereto) in a


                                      2
<PAGE>

manner consistent with such valuations, and shall take no position contrary 
thereto unless required to do so by applicable tax laws.

         (d)  To the extent permitted by state and local laws, the principles 
and procedures of this Section 5.20 shall also apply with respect to a 
Section 338(h)(10) election or equivalent or comparable provision under state 
or local law, including without limitation, an election under Section 338(g) 
of the Code."

     3.  The following provision shall be inserted into the Merger Agreement 
as Section 5.20:

         "5.20  USE OF VLSI DATA CENTER.  As of the date of the Merger 
Agreement, VLSI occupied approximately 3,800 square feet of office space at 
Compass' building located at 1865 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131 
(the "Compass Space").  From the Effective Date of the Merger until December 
31, 1997, VLSI shall have the right to continue to occupy and use the Compass 
Space rent free as a data center upon the same terms and conditions that VLSI 
occupied and used the Compass Space prior to the Effective Date of the 
Merger."

     4.  The following provision shall be inserted into the Merger Agreement 
as Section 5.21:

         "5.21  INTERCOMPANY DEBT.  The parties acknowledge that VLSI has 
loaned money to Compass to cover operating and other expenses on an ongoing 
basis, which such monies have been reflected in the Financial Statements as 
intercompany debt payable to VLSI.  Avant! hereby agrees to cause the 
intercompany debt outstanding on the Effective Date of the Merger to be paid 
in full to VLSI on or before September 26, 1997, or if the Effective Date of 
the Merger has not occurred prior to that date, on the Effective Date of the 
Merger; provided, however, the parties agree that, immediately prior to the 
Effective Time of the Merger, VLSI shall contribute to the capital of Compass 
the amount by which the intercompany debt owed to VLSI exceeds the sum of 
$16,000,000 plus the amount of any intercompany receivable then due Compass 
from VLSI.  Such contribution shall not be made in cash but shall instead be 
made by VLSI contributing a portion of such intercompany debt.  It is further 
understood that the intercompany debt may include amounts paid by Compass for 
retention bonuses previously agreed to be paid by Compass which have been 
disclosed to Avant! in SCHEDULE 3.13." 

     5.  MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a)  NO OTHER MODIFICATION.  Except as expressly provided herein, 
this Agreement does not in any way change, modify or delete any of the 
provisions of the Merger Agreement, and all such provisions shall remain in 
full force and effect.

         (b)  GOVERNING LAW.  This Amendment shall be governed by and 
construed under the laws of the State of Delaware.

         (c)  COUNTERPARTS.  This Amendment may be executed in two or more 
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which 
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


                                      3
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as 
of the date first above written.
                            
                            AVANT! CORPORATION
                            
                            
                            By:_______________________________________
                               Gerald C. Hsu
                               Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
                               and President
                            
                            
                            COMPASS DESIGN AUTOMATION, INC. 
                            
                            
                            By:_______________________________________
                               Paul McLellan
                               President
                            
                            
                            GB ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                            
                            
                            By:_______________________________________
                               Gerald C. Hsu
                               President
                            
                            
                            VLSI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                            
                            
                            By:_______________________________________
                               Larry L. Grant
                               Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary



<PAGE>

AVANT! COMPLETES COMPASS ACQUISITION

SEPTEMBER 12, 1997 8:02 AM EDT

INTEGRATION PLAN COMPLETED; COMPASS OPERATIONS STREAMLINED

FREMONT, Calif., Sept. 12/PRNewswire/ -- Avant! Corporation (Nasdaq: AVNT), 
the indisputable industry leader in deep-submicron IC design automation 
(ICDA) tools, today announced the completion of its acquisition of COMPASS 
Design Automation, formerly a subsidiary of VLSI Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: 
VLSI).

Avant! exchanged $17,500,000 and 522,192 shares of its common stock for all 
outstanding COMPASS common and preferred stock. The transaction will be 
accounted for as a purchase. Avant! expects to take a significant charge for 
in-process research and development in the third quarter of 1997. Third 
quarter financial results are expected to be announced on October 14, 1997.

"We are pleased that since the signing of the definitive agreement at the end 
of July, we have been able to prepare the integration process so that we may 
swiftly streamline the COMPASS operations. The majority of the merger 
logistics are already behind us," said Gerald C. Hsu, chairman, president and 
CEO of Avant! Corporation. "COMPASS' customers worldwide have welcomed this 
transaction, and we look forward to working with them closely with minimal 
disruptions. We will continue to sell and support all existing COMPASS 
products and libraries while providing a migration path for their place and 
route tool, PathFinder(TM), to Avant!'s Aquarius(TM) family of products. 
After trimming nearly 50% of COMPASS personnel, we believe that the COMPASS 
line will achieve profitability for our shareholders. As in all our previous 
mergers, Avant! intends to maintain a balance between high employee 
productivity and a high degree of customer satisfaction."

"COMPASS' expertise in the area of silicon calibration and Passport(TM) 
libraries will be a foundation for growing our newly-formed Galax! 
(pronounced GA-lox-ee) business, whose mission is to deliver silicon 
intellectual property (SIP) and design services to customers," continued Hsu.

     About Avant!

Avant! (pronounced Ah VANH tee) Corporation develops, markets, and supports 
integrated circuit design automation (ICDA) software for the simulation, 
layout, verification and analysis of deep submicron ICs including 
microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific standard products 
(ASSPs) and complex application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The 
Company's new headquarters is located in Fremont, California. Telephone: 
510-413-8000, Fax: 510-413-8080. World Wide Web: http://www.avanticorp.com.

NOTE: Aquarius, PathFinder, Passport and Galax! are trademarks of Avant! 
Corporation. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered 
trademarks of their respective owners and should be treated as such.

Except for any historical information presented herein, matters presented in 
this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and 
uncertainties. The Company's future results could differ materially from the 
results presented herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such 
differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed from time to 
time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, including those discussed in the Company's report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 1996, and including the risks discussed in 
the "Risk Factors" section included in the Company's Registration Statement 
on Form S-3 as declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission 
on January 31, 1997.
SOURCE Avant! Corporation


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