Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.52

                          CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

                          EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT

        This Executive Retention Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into, as of
the Effective Date, by and between Ronald R. Barris, an individual (the
"Executive") and Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a corporation (the "Company," and
together with the Executive, the "Parties").

                                    RECITALS

        A. WHEREAS, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive was Senior Vice
President, Business Consulting of the Company and, thereafter, was named Senior
Vice President, Worldwide Services of the Company.

        B. WHEREAS, the Company desires to secure the services of Executive as
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Services and Executive desires to perform such
services for the Company, on the terms and conditions as set forth herein

        C. WHEREAS, the Parties recognize that from time to time the Company may
consider the possibility of a merger, acquisition by another company, strategic
alliance or some other form of Change of Control (as defined in Article II,
Paragraph 1(d), below);

        D. WHEREAS, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") recognizes
that because of the uncertainty which can result upon the occurrence of a Change
of Control, it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to
provide certain key employees, including the Executive, with an incentive to
continue their employment with the Company and to motivate them to maximize the
value of the Company for the benefit of stockholders;

        E. WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it will provide certain key
employees, including the Executive, with severance compensation and benefits
upon termination of employment following a Change of Control, should such an
event occur;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and for the
purposes hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration,
the adequacy of which is specifically acknowledged, the Parties hereto agrees as
follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

                                    ARTICLE I

        1. Purpose. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide the Executive
with specified compensation and benefits in the event of a Termination Upon
Change of Control (as defined in Article II, Paragraph 1(o), below).

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        2. No Employment Agreement. This Agreement does not constitute a
contract of employment or impose upon the Executive or the Company any
obligation to retain the Executive as an Employee, to change the status of the
Executive's employment, or to change the Company's policies regarding
termination of employment. The Executive's employment is and shall continue to
be at-will. Subject to the terms of any applicable written employment agreement
between the Company and the Executive executed prior to the Change of Control,
the Company may assign the Executive to other duties, or to another geographic
location. If the Executive's employment with the Company or a Successor (as
defined in Article II, Paragraph 1(n), below) terminates as a result of a
Termination Upon Change of Control, the Executive shall not be entitled to any
payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by
this Agreement.

        3. Contractual Rights to Benefits. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, this Agreement establishes and vests in the Executive a contractual
right to the benefits described herein, enforceable by the Executive against the
Company.

        4. Taxation of Payments. All amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement
shall be subject to regular payroll and withholding taxes.

                                   ARTICLE II

                          DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

        1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the
meanings set forth in this Article II or elsewhere in this Agreement, unless the
context clearly requires a different meaning.

               (a) Base Salary. "Base Salary" shall mean the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately preceding a Change of Control or, in the
absence of any Change of Control, the Executive's annual base salary immediately
preceding the termination of Executive's full time employment with the Company.

               (b) Target Bonus. "Target Bonus" shall mean the annual cash bonus
which the Executive would be eligible to receive at the "Target" level, pursuant
to any applicable bonus plan(s) in effect immediately preceding the Change of
Control, without augmentation or diminution of said sum by any individual
performance multiplier.

               (c) Cause. "Cause" shall mean:

                    (i) theft; a material act of dishonesty or fraud;
intentional falsification of any employment or Company records; or the
commission of any criminal act which impairs the Executive's ability to perform
appropriate employment duties for the Company;

                    (ii) improper disclosure or use of the Company's
confidential, business or proprietary information by the Executive;

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                    (iii) The Executive's conviction, including any plea of
guilty or nolo contendere, for a crime involving moral turpitude causing
material harm to the reputation and standing of the Company, as determined by
the Company in good faith; or

                    (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the
performance of the Executive's assigned duties (but not mere unsatisfactory
performance).

               (d) Change of Control. "Change of Control" shall mean the
occurrence of any of the following events:

                    (i) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"))
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent
(50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then
outstanding voting securities; or

                    (ii) A change in the composition of the Board occurring
within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the
directors are Incumbent Directors (as defined below);

                    (iii) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the
Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of
the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger
or consolidation; or

                    (iv) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.

               (e) Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

               (f) Company. "Company" shall mean Cadence Design Systems, Inc.,
and, following a Change of Control, any Successor (as defined below).

               (g) Compensation Committee. "Compensation Committee" shall mean
the compensation committee of the Board.

               (h) Disability. "Disability" shall mean that the Executive has
been unable to perform his or her duties as an Employee as the result of
incapacity due to physical or mental illness, and such inability, at least 26
weeks after its commencement, is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such agreement as to
acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld). Termination resulting from
Disability may only be effected after at least

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30 days' written notice by the Company of its intention to terminate the
Executive's employment. In the event that the Executive resumes the performance
of substantially all of his or her duties hereunder before the termination of
his or her employment becomes effective, at notice of intent to terminate shall
automatically be deemed to have been revoked.

        (i) Effective Date. "Effective Date" shall mean July 1, 2000.

               (j) Employee. "Employee" shall mean an individual employed by the
Company.

               (k) Good Reason. "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any
of the following conditions following a Change of Control, without the
Executive's informed written consent, which condition(s) remain(s) in effect
thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company from the Executive of such
condition(s):

                    (i) a 10% or more decrease in the Executive's Base Salary
and Target Bonus.

                    (ii) the relocation of the Executive's primary work place
for the Company to a location more than fifty (50) miles from either Lowell,
Massachusetts or San Jose, California;

                    (iii) a material reduction of the Executive's duties or
responsibilities relative to the Executive's duties or responsibilities in
effect immediately prior to such reduction. For purposes of this subparagraph, a
material reduction of duties and responsibilities would include a change in
assignment from one substantive area of competence to another (such as, from
accounting to marketing), or assignment to a new position which connotes a
materially lesser rank or status, or involves diminished managerial
responsibilities;

                    (iv) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or
level of employee benefits to which the Executive is entitled immediately prior
to such reduction with the result that the Executive's overall benefits package
is significantly reduced; and

                    (v) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of
this Agreement by any Successor (as defined in Paragraph 1(n), below).

               (l) Incumbent Directors. "Incumbent Directors" shall mean
directors who either (i) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or
(ii) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative
votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such
election or nomination, provided, however, that no individual shall be
considered an Incumbent Director if the individual initially assumed office as a
result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as described in
Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of

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a person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any
agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest.

               (m) Executive. "Executive" shall mean Ronald R. Barris, so long
as he meets the eligibility requirements set Article III.

               (n) Successor. "Successor" means the Company as defined above,
and any successor or assign, whether direct or indirect, by purchase of assets
or stock, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company or a majority of the voting securities of
the Company.

               (o) Termination Upon Change of Control. "Termination Upon Change
of Control" means:

                    (i) the termination of the employment of the Executive by
the Company without Cause during a Relevant Period, as defined in subsection
(p), below;

                    (ii) any resignation by the Executive for Good Reason, as
defined in Paragraph 1(k), above, within thirteen (13) months after the
occurrence of any Change of Control. In the event of a resignation by the
Executive for Good Reason during the thirteen (13) month period following the
occurrence of a Change of Control, the Executive shall give written notice of
the occurrence of the event or events upon which he relies to resign for Good
Reason within ninety (90) days following the date of such occurrence, shall
indicate the specific provision(s) of this Agreement upon which the Executive
relied to make such determination, and shall state in reasonable detail the
facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for such determination. As
set forth above, upon receipt of written notice from the Executive, the Company
shall have thirty (30) days to cure the condition(s) giving rise to Executive's
claimed right to resign for "Good Reason." Failure to comply with the notice
requirement set forth herein shall preclude Executive from receiving the
severance compensation and benefits described in this Agreement; but

                    (iii) "Termination Upon Change of Control" shall not include
any termination of the employment of the Executive (A) by the Company for Cause;
(B) by the Company as a result of the Disability of the Executive; (C) as a
result of the death of the Executive; or (D) as a result of the voluntary
termination of the employment of the Executive for reasons other than Good
Reason (i.e., resignation).

               (p) Relevant Period. "Relevant Period" shall mean a period
commencing thirty (30) days prior to the earlier of (A) the date that the
Company first publicly announces it is conducting negotiations leading to a
Change of Control, or (B) the date that the Company enters into a definitive
agreement that would result in a Change of Control (including agreements still
subject to approval by the Company's stockholders and other conditions and
contingencies), and ending on the date which is thirteen (13) months after the
Change of Control.

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                                   ARTICLE III

                                   ELIGIBILITY

        The Executive remains eligible to receive the benefits provided under
this Agreement so long as he remains an employee of the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event the Executive tenders his resignation prior to the
Change of Control, or is subject to a written performance improvement plan with
the Company immediately prior to a Change of Control, the Executive is not
eligible to receive the benefits provided under this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                       SEVERANCE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

        1. Compensation At Time of Termination. In the event of the Executive's
Termination Upon Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the basic
severance compensation described below:

               (a) Salary. All (i) earned, but unpaid, Base Salary through the
date of the Executive's termination of employment and (ii) any accrued, but
unused, vacation paid at Executive's Base Salary rate.

               (b) Expense Reimbursement. Within thirty (30) days of submission
of proper expense reports, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all
expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Executive in connection with
the business of the Company prior to the Executive's termination of employment.

               (c) Employee Benefits. The Executive shall receive the benefits,
if any, under all Company benefit plans in which the Executive is enrolled, and
to which the Executive is entitled pursuant to the terms of such plans.

        2. Additional Cash Severance Benefit. In the event of the Executive's
Termination Upon Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled to a lump
sum cash severance payment in an amount equal to the sum of 100% of the
Executive's Base Salary and 100% of the Executive's Target Bonus. The Target
Bonus shall be paid in full, regardless of whether the Company actually met its
Earnings Per Share target and regardless of whether Executive's performance was
satisfactory. The cash severance payments described herein shall be reduced by
applicable federal and state withholdings, and paid within thirty (30) days
after termination of employment, unless determination of the amount due is not
fixed, or is in dispute, on the date of termination of employment in which case
it shall be paid within ten (10) days of the Company's receipt of Executive's
written election of the amount due (as described in Article V, Paragraph 1) but,
in any event, not prior to the eighth day following the Executive's execution of
the release of claims described in Article VI, paragraph 3.

        3. Stock Option Acceleration. The Executive shall receive stock option
acceleration as described below.

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               (a) 100% Stock Acceleration. In the event of the Executive's
Termination Upon Change of Control, all outstanding stock options granted and
restricted stock issued by the Company to the Executive prior to the Change of
Control shall have their vesting fully accelerated so as to be 100% vested as of
the date of such Termination Upon Change of Control, or ten (10) days following
the Company's receipt of the Executive's written election (described in Article
V, Paragraph 1), whichever occurs last, but in either event not prior to the
eighth day following the Executive's execution of the release of claims
described in Article VI, paragraph 3.

               (b) Acceleration Upon Non-Assumption in a Change of Control. If
there is a Change of Control transaction in which the outstanding stock options
granted and restricted stock issued by the Company prior to the transaction are
not fully assumed by the Successor, or replaced by fully equivalent substitute
options or restricted stock, then all options and restricted stock shall have
their vesting fully accelerated to be 100% vested immediately prior to the
effective date of the Change of Control. The date such unexercised options will
terminate and the period during which the Executive may exercise the fully
vested options shall be governed by the applicable stock option plan under which
the options were granted. Alternatively, the Company and the Executive may
elect, with the written consent of both, that the Company will deliver to the
Executive on the effective date of the Change of Control a cash payment equal to
the difference between (i) the aggregate exercise price of the Executive's
unexercised options or restricted stock, and (ii) the value of the consideration
deliverable for an equivalent number of shares as a result of the Change of
Control transaction.

        4. Medical and Dental Benefits Pursuant to COBRA. In the event of the
Executive's Termination Upon Change of Control, the Executive shall be eligible
for continued employee medical and dental insurance coverage to the extent
provided by, and subject to the terms of, the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1985 ("COBRA").

        5. Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If the Executive's
employment is terminated either by reason Executive's voluntary resignation or
involuntarily for Cause, then the Executive shall not be entitled to receive
benefits except for those (if any) as may then be applicable under the Company's
then existing severance and benefits plans and policies at the time of such
termination other than under this Agreement or as specified in any individual
written agreements signed by both the Company and the Executive that are in
effect at the time of such termination.

        6. Termination Due To Disability or Death. If the Company terminates the
Executive's employment as a result of the Executive's Disability, or the
Executive's employment is terminated due to the death of the Executive, then the
Executive shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except
for those (if any) as may then be applicable under the Company's then existing
severance and benefits plans and policies, or as specified in any individual
written agreements signed by both the Company and the Executive that are in
effect at the time of such Disability or death.

        7. Other Termination Apart From Change In Control. If Executive's full
time employment is terminated by the Company without Cause at any time that is
not during a

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Relevant Period, Executive shall receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal
to 100% of Executive's Base Salary at the time of termination of Executive's
full time employment, plus 100% of Executive's Target Bonus for the year of
termination of Executive's full time employment. Said payment shall be made by
the Company as soon as administratively possible following such termination and
following the first point in time that the Company is entitled to deduct such
payments for income tax purposes in compliance with applicable law, including
but not limited to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Following such termination as a full time
employee, Executive shall continue as a part-time employee of Cadence for 20
hours a month for one year from such date of termination, reporting to Cadence's
President and Chief Executive Officer, and shall provide exclusively to Cadence
strategic advice with respect to the electronics and technology design business.
Executive's salary for this part-time employment will be $2000 per month,
subject to customary withholdings and deductions paid on our standard payroll
schedule. During such period of part-time employment, Executive will not accrue
vacation or receive health benefits, but will continue to participate in Company
incentive programs available to such part-time employees. At the end of such
period, Executive's employment with Cadence (and any subsidiary thereof) will
terminate.

                                    ARTICLE V

                FEDERAL EXCISE TAX UNDER SECTION 280G OF THE CODE

        1. Adjustment of Excess Payments Payable to the Executive. If (a) any
amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement are characterized as
excess parachute payments pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, and (b) the
Executive thereby would be subject to any United States Federal excise tax due
to that characterization, then (c) the Executive may elect, in the Executive's
sole discretion, to reduce the amounts payable under this Agreement or to have
any portion of the applicable options or restricted stock not vest in order to
avoid any "excess parachute payment" under Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code. If
the Executive does not make an election within thirty (30) days of his
termination upon Change of Control or within (5) days following the
determination by Independent Public Accountants described in Article V, Section
2 below, whichever occurs latest, then the entire amount shall be paid to him
and he will be responsible for payment of any excise taxes.

        2. Determination by Independent Public Accountants. Unless the Company
and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under
this Article V shall be made in writing by independent public accountants agreed
to by the Company and the Executive (the "Accountants"), whose determination
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company for all
purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Article V,
the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning
the applications of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the
Executive shall furnish to the Accountant such information and documents as the
Accountants may reasonably request in order to make the required determination.
The Company shall bear all fees and

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expenses the Accountants may reasonably charge in connection with the services
contemplated by this Article V.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES

        1. Sole Remedy for Termination Upon Change of Control. The severance
payments and benefits described in Article IV shall constitute the Executive's
sole and exclusive remedy for any alleged injury or other damages arising out of
the cessation of the employment relationship between the Executive and the
Company in the event of the Executive's Termination Upon Change of Control.

        2. No Other Benefits Payable. The Executive shall be entitled to no
other compensation, benefits or other payments from the Company as a result of
any termination of employment with respect to which the payments and/or benefits
described in Article IV have been provided to the Executive, except as expressly
set forth in a written agreement or in a duly executed employment agreement
between the Company and the Executive that is in effect at the time of the
Executive's termination.

        3. Release of Claims. The Executive acknowledges that the right to
receive the cash severance compensation, stock option acceleration, and other
benefits described in Article IV is expressly conditioned on the Executive
executing, at the time of termination, a release and waiver of claims which is
substantially similar to the one attached hereto as Exhibit A.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                    PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

        1. Continued Compliance. The Executive agrees to continue to abide by
the terms and conditions of the Company's Employee Proprietary Information and
Invention Agreement executed by the Executive on or about September 21, 1999.

        2. Return of Company Property. The Executive agrees to return all
Company property in his possession and under his control within ten (10) days of
his employment termination.

        3. Nonsolicitation. If the Company has performed its obligations to
deliver the severance benefits described in Article IV of the Agreement, then
for a period of one (1) year after the termination of Executive's employment
with the Company, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, solicit the
services or business of, or in any other manner persuade any

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employee, distributor, vendor, representative or customer of the Company to
discontinue that person's or entity's relationship with or to the Company.

        4. Other Agreements Not Superseded. This Article VII shall not supersede
or limit the terms, including more restrictive terms, of any other agreement by
the Executive to refrain from competition with or from soliciting the employees
or customers of the Company.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               DISPUTE RESOLUTION

        1. Disputes Subject to Arbitration. Any claim, dispute or controversy
arising in any way out of this Agreement, or the interpretation, validity,
enforceability or breach thereof, shall be submitted by the Executive and
Company to confidential, final and binding arbitration conducted by
JAMS/Endispute under the then-existing JAMS/Endispute rules, rather than by
litigation in court, trial by jury, administrative proceeding, or any other
forum; provided, however, that (a) the arbitrator shall have no authority to
make any ruling or judgment that would confer any rights with respect to the
trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information or other intellectual
property of the Company upon the Executive or any third party; and (b) this
arbitration provision shall not preclude the Company from seeking legal and
equitable relief from any court having jurisdiction with respect to any disputes
or claims relating to or arising out of the misuse or misappropriation of the
Company's intellectual property. Judgment may be entered on the award of the
arbitrator in any court having jurisdiction.

        2. Site of Arbitration; Expenses and Fees. The site of the arbitration
proceeding shall be in Santa Clara County, California. The costs and expenses
relating to the arbitration proceeding itself, including the fees of the
arbitrator, shall be borne by the Company. The Executive and Company shall each
be responsible for its own attorneys' fees, including any expert witness fees,
incurred in connection with the arbitration proceeding.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 TERM, AMENDMENT

        1. Term. This Agreement shall continue for two years from the Effective
Date, and shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods,
unless, prior to a Change of Control and prior to the applicable automatic
renewal date, action is taken by the Board to terminate this Agreement.

        2. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered, or
supplemented other than by means of a written instrument duly executed by the
Company and the Executive.

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                                    ARTICLE X

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

        1. No Duty to Mitigate. Other than offsets specifically provided for
herein, the Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by
any earnings that the Executive may receive from any other source.

        2. No Limitation of Regular Benefit Plans. This Agreement is not
intended to and shall not affect, limit or terminate any plans, programs or
arrangements of the Company that are regularly made available to a significant
number of employees, officers or executives of the Company, including without
limitation, the Company's stock option plans.

        3. Nonaccumulation of Benefits. The Executive may not accumulate cash
severance payments and/or stock option acceleration under both this Agreement
and another agreement. If the Executive has another binding written agreement
with the Company which provides that upon a Change of Control or termination of
employment, the Executive shall receive one or more of the benefits described in
Article IV of this Agreement (i.e., the payment of cash compensation or
acceleration of vesting of stock options or restricted stock rights), then with
respect to those benefits the aggregate amounts payable under this Agreement
shall be reduced by the amounts paid or payable under such other and separate
agreements.

        4. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or
provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.

        5. Successors of the Company. The Company will require any Successor
expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in
the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

        6. Heirs of the Executive. Rights and benefits under this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal and
legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees and legatees.

        7. Notices. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications permitted or provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United
States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:

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               If to the Company:

               Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
               Attn: General Counsel
               2655 Seely Road, MS/5B1
               San Jose, CA  95134

               If to the Executive: At the most recent address recorded in the
               records of the Company. Either party may provide the other with
               notices of changes of address, which shall be effective upon
               receipt.

        8. No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments or
benefits under this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or assignment,
either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including
(without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditor's
process, and any action in violation of this subsection shall be void.

        9. Governing Law. The Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of California as applied to contracts
entered into and entirely to be performed within the State of California.

        10. Cooperation of the Executive After Termination of Employment. In the
event the Executive's employment is terminated, as the result of a Change of
Control or otherwise, the Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company with
respect to all matters relating to the completion of any pending work and the
orderly transfer of such work to other Employees.

Dated:
      ---------------------

---------------------------
        Ronald R. Barris

CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

By:
   -------------------------
        Ronald Kirchenbauer
        Senior Vice President, Employee and Workplace Services

Dated:
      ----------------------

                                       12<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.53

                  Description of Cadence Stock Purchase Program

STOCK PURCHASE PROGRAM. In May 2000, the Compensation Committee adopted a Stock
Purchase Program to assist Cadence's efforts to attract and retain key Cadence
employees and to incentivize those employees who are critical to the success of
a business unit that is eventually intended to be separated from Cadence. Under
this program, executive officers and other selected Cadence employees are
offered the opportunity to purchase from Cadence stock of one or more of the new
entities holding these business units at a price equal to the fair market value
of the stock at the time of purchase. In connection with the formation of each
new entity, Cadence's Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee approves
the total number of shares eligible for purchase by Cadence employees under the
Stock Purchase Program, as well as specific allocations of shares offered to the
Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers. To date, the maximum
number of shares of any particular entity approved for sale to Cadence employees
generally has not exceeded 5% of the entity's total outstanding shares on a
fully-diluted basis. Available shares are allocated between two groups of
employees. The first group includes the Chief Executive Officer and certain
Senior Vice Presidents deemed critical to the success of the new entity as
approved by the Compensation Committee. The second group is comprised of
executive officers, Corporate Vice Presidents and other individuals (who need
not be members of management) selected by the Chief Executive Officer. The stock
purchased by participants in the second group may be subject to vesting
restrictions based upon the employee's continued employment, as determined in
each case by the Chief Executive Officer The subscription agreements for shares
purchased under the Stock Purchase Program permit Cadence (i) a right of first
refusal to purchase the shares, (ii) a right to repurchase the shares at the
original purchase price upon termination of a participant's employment other
than involuntary termination without cause, and (iii) a right to cause all
participants to sell their shares if Cadence wishes to sell the entity to a
third party. During 2000, all of Cadence's executive officers participated in
the Stock Purchase Program.

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