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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                                 METRICOM, INC.

                           1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

                             ADOPTED MARCH 14, 1997
                      APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS MAY 1, 1997
               AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON APRIL 29, 1998
                    APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS ON JUNE 26, 1998
              AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON AUGUST 16, 1999
                  APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS ON OCTOBER 15, 1999

1.      PURPOSES.

        (a) The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means by which selected
Employees and Directors of and Consultants to the Company and its Affiliates may
be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the common stock
of the Company ("Common Stock") through the granting of (i) Incentive Stock
Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) stock bonuses and (iv) rights to
purchase restricted stock, all as defined below.

        (b) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of
persons who are now Employees, Directors or Consultants, to secure and retain
the services of new Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to provide
incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the
Company and its Affiliates.

        (c) The Company intends that the Stock Awards issued under the Plan
shall, in the discretion of the Board or any Committee to which responsibility
for administration of the Plan has been delegated pursuant to subsection 3(c),
be either (i) Options granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof, including Incentive
Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options, or (ii) stock bonuses or rights to
purchase restricted stock granted pursuant to Section 7 hereof. All Options
shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock
Options at the time of grant, and a separate certificate or certificates will be
issued for shares purchased on exercise of each type of Option.

2.      DEFINITIONS.

        (a) "AFFILIATE" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation,
whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e)
and (f) respectively, of the Code.

        (b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

        (c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        (d) "COMMITTEE" means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance
with subsection 3(c) of the Plan.

        (e) "COMPANY" means Metricom, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

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        (f) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the
Company or an Affiliate to render consulting services and who is compensated for
such services, provided that the term "Consultant" shall not include Directors
who are paid only a director's fee by the Company or who are not compensated by
the Company for their services as Directors.

        (g) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT" means the
employment or relationship as a Director or Consultant is not interrupted or
terminated. The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous
Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be considered interrupted in
the case of: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board, including sick
leave, military leave, or any other personal leave; or (ii) transfers between
locations of the Company or between the Company, Affiliates or their successors.

        (h)    "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.

        (i) "DISABILITY" means the permanent and total disability of a person
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

        (j) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

        (k) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

        (l) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of the Common
Stock of the Company determined as follows:

               (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange, or traded on the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales
price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted
on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume
of trading in Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to
determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Board deems reliable;

               (ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the
Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

        (m) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

        (n) "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a
current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or subsidiary, does not
receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the Company or its parent or
subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than
as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required
under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act
of 1933 ("Regulation S-K"), does not possess an interest in any other
transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K, and is

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not engaged in a business relationship as to which disclosure would be required
under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a
"non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

        (o) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.

        (p) "OFFICER" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the
meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

        (q) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

        (r) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

        (s) "OPTIONEE" means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to
the Plan.

        (t) "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who either (i) is not a current
employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within the meaning of
Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code), is not a
former employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" receiving
compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax qualified
pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an "affiliated corporation"
at any time, and is not currently receiving direct or indirect remuneration from
the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for services in any capacity other
than as a Director, or (ii) is otherwise considered an "outside director" for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

        (u) "PLAN" means this 1997 Equity Incentive Plan.

        (v) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor
to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to
the Plan.

        (w) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        (x) "STOCK AWARD" means any right granted under the Plan, including any
Option, any stock bonus, and any right to purchase restricted stock.

        (y) "STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan.

3.      ADMINISTRATION.

        (a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board unless and until the
Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in subsection 3(c).

        (b) The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the
limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

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               (i) To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible
under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock Award
shall be granted; whether a Stock Award will be an Incentive Stock Option, a
Nonstatutory Stock Option, a stock bonus, a right to purchase restricted stock,
or a combination of the foregoing; the provisions of each Stock Award granted
(which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall
be permitted to receive stock pursuant to a Stock Award; and the number of
shares with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such person.

               (ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted
under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its
administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement,
in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the
Plan fully effective.

               (iii) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in
Section 12.

               (iv) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts
as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the
Company which are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan.

        (c) The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or
committees ("Committee") of one (1) or more members of the Board. In the
discretion of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two (2) or more
Outside Directors, in accordance with Code Section 162(m), or solely of two (2)
or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. If administration
is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the
administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board,
including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative
powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to
the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or such a subcommittee), subject,
however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan,
as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the
Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.

4.      SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

        (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 11 relating to adjustments upon
changes in stock, the stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards shall
not exceed in the aggregate two million two hundred seventy-five thousand
(2,275,000) shares of Common Stock. If any Stock Award shall for any reason
expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without having been
exercised in full (or vested in the case of Restricted Stock), the stock not
acquired under such Stock Award shall revert to and again become available for
issuance under the Plan.

        (b) The stock subject to the Plan may be unissued shares or reacquired
shares, bought on the market or otherwise.

5.      ELIGIBILITY.

        (a) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Stock
Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees,
Directors or Consultants.

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        (b) No person shall be eligible for the grant of an Incentive Stock
Option if, at the time of grant, such person owns (or is deemed to own pursuant
to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any
of its Affiliates unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of such stock at the date of
grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years
from the date of grant.

        (c) Subject to the provisions of Section 11 relating to adjustments upon
changes in stock, no person shall be eligible to be granted Stock Awards
covering more than four hundred thousand (400,000) shares of Common Stock in any
calendar year.

        (d) A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award
if, at the time of grant, a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities
Act ("Form S-8") is not available to register either the offer or the sale of
the Company's securities to such Consultant because of the nature of the
services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, or because the
Consultant is not a natural person, or as otherwise provided by the rules
governing the use of Form S-8, unless the Company determines both (i) that such
grant (A) shall be registered in another manner under the Securities Act (e.g.,
on a Form S-3 Registration Statement) or (B) does not require registration under
the Securities Act in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities
Act, if applicable, and (ii) that such grant complies with the securities laws
of all other relevant jurisdictions.

6.      OPTION PROVISIONS.

        Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate
Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through
incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the
substance of each of the following provisions:

        (a) TERM. No Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten
(10) years from the date it was granted.

        (b) PRICE. The exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be
not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock
subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted, and the exercise price
of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than eighty-five percent
(85%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option on the date
the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may be granted
with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if
such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another
option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

        (c) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to an
Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and
regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised, or (ii) at
the discretion of the Board or Committee, at the time of the grant of the
Option, (A) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock of the Company, (B)
according to a deferred payment or other arrangement (which may include, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of other Common Stock of the
Company) with the person

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to whom the Option is granted or to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to
subsection 6(d), or (C) in any other form of legal consideration that may be
acceptable to the Board; provided, however, that at any time that the Company is
incorporated in Delaware, payment of the Common Stock's "par value," as defined
in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be made by deferred payment.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be payable at
least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to
avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of the Code, of
any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the deferred payment
arrangement.

        (d) TRANSFERABILITY. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable
except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be
exercisable during the lifetime of the person to whom the Incentive Stock Option
is granted only by such person. A Nonstatutory Stock Option may be transferred
to the extent provided in the Option Agreement; provided that if the Option
Agreement does not expressly permit the transfer of a Nonstatutory Stock Option,
the Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will, by the
laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order
satisfying the requirements of Rule 16b-3, and shall be exercisable during the
lifetime of the person to whom the Option is granted only by such person or any
transferee pursuant to a domestic relations order. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the person to whom the Option is granted may, by delivering written
notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third
party who, in the event of the death of the Optionee, shall thereafter be
entitled to exercise the Option.

        (e) VESTING. The total number of shares of stock subject to an Option
may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need
not, be equal). The Option Agreement may provide that from time to time during
each of such installment periods, the Option may become exercisable ("vest")
with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to that period, and may be
exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period
and/or any prior period as to which the Option became vested but was not fully
exercised. The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the
time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or
other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The provisions of this
subsection 6(e) are subject to any Option provisions governing the minimum
number of shares as to which an Option may be exercised.

        (f) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP AS A DIRECTOR OR
CONSULTANT. In the event an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee,
Director or Consultant terminates (other than upon the Optionee's death or
Disability), the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of
time designated by the Board, which shall in no event be later than the
expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement (the
"Post-Termination Exercise Period") and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise the Option on the date Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant terminates. In the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, the Board shall determine the Post-Termination Exercise Period at the
time the Option is granted, and the term of such Post-Termination Exercise
Period shall in no event exceed three (3) months from the date of termination,
and may, in the event Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or
Consultant terminates for Cause (as defined in subsection 11(b)), terminate of
the date of such Optionee's termination. In addition, the Board may at any time,
with the consent of the Optionee, extend the Post-Termination Exercise Period
and provide for continued vesting; provided however, that any extension of such

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period by the Board in excess of three (3) months from the date of termination
shall cause an Incentive Stock Option so extended to become a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, effective as of the date of Board action. If, at the date of
termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option,
the shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to
the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her
Option within the time specified in the Option Agreement or as otherwise
determined above, the Option shall terminate, and the shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall
have the power to permit an Option to continue to vest during the
Post-Termination Exercise Period.

        An Optionee's Option Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of
the Option following the termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director, or Consultant (other than upon the Optionee's death or
Disability) would result in liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act,
then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term
of the Option set forth in the Option Agreement, or (ii) the tenth (10th) day
after the last date on which such exercise would result in such liability under
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Finally, an Optionee's Option Agreement may
also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant (other than
upon the Optionee's death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely
because the issuance of shares would violate the registration requirements under
the Securities Act, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the
expiration of the term of the Option set forth in the first paragraph of this
subsection 6(f), or (ii) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after
the termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or
Consultant during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of
such registration requirements.

        (g) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. In the event an Optionee's Continuous Status
as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the Optionee's
Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the
Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of termination), but only
within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12)
months following such termination (or such longer or shorter period specified in
the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement. If, at the date of termination, the Optionee is
not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the shares covered by the
unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to and again become available
for issuance under the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the shares covered by such Option shall revert to and again
become available for issuance under the Plan.

        (h) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee during,
or within a three (3)-month period after the termination of, the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, the Option may be
exercised to the extent vested by the Optionee's estate, by a person who
acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a
person designated to exercise the option upon the Optionee's death pursuant to
subsection 6(d), but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the
date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter
period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of
such Option as set forth in the Option

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Agreement. If, at the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to exercise
his or her entire Option, the shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the
Option shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
If, after death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate, and the shares covered by such Option shall revert
to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.

        (i) EARLY EXERCISE. The Option may, but need not, include a provision
whereby the Optionee may elect at any time while an Employee, Director or
Consultant to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares subject to
the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any unvested shares so
purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any
other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.

        (j) RE-LOAD OPTIONS. Without in any way limiting the authority of the
Board or Committee to make or not to make grants of Options hereunder, the Board
or Committee shall have the authority (but not an obligation) to include as part
of any Option Agreement a provision entitling the Optionee to a further Option
(a "Re-Load Option") in the event the Optionee exercises the Option evidenced by
the Option Agreement, in whole or in part, by surrendering other shares of
Common Stock in accordance with this Plan and the terms and conditions of the
Option Agreement. Any such Re-Load Option (i) shall be for a number of shares
equal to the number of shares surrendered as part or all of the exercise price
of such Option; (ii) shall have an expiration date which is the same as the
expiration date of the Option the exercise of which gave rise to such Re-Load
Option; and (iii) shall have an exercise price which is equal to one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the
Re-Load Option on the date of exercise of the original Option. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a Re-Load Option which is an Incentive Stock Option and which is
granted to a 10% stockholder (as described in subsection 5(b)), shall have an
exercise price which is equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair
Market Value of the stock subject to the Re-Load Option on the date of exercise
of the original Option and shall have a term which is no longer than five (5)
years.

        Any such Re-Load Option may be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option, as the Board or Committee may designate at the time
of the grant of the original Option; provided, however, that the designation of
any Re-Load Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall be subject to the one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) annual limitation on exercisability of
Incentive Stock Options described in subsection 10(d) of the Plan and in Section
422(d) of the Code. There shall be no Re-Load Options on a Re-Load Option. Any
such Re-Load Option shall be subject to the availability of sufficient shares
under subsection 4(a) and shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as
the Board or Committee may determine which are not inconsistent with the express
provisions of the Plan regarding the terms of Options.

7.      TERMS OF STOCK BONUSES AND PURCHASES OF RESTRICTED STOCK.

        Each stock bonus or restricted stock purchase agreement shall be in such
form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board or Committee shall
deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of stock bonus or restricted stock
purchase agreements need not be identical, but each stock bonus or restricted
stock purchase agreement shall include (through incorporation of provisions
hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the
following provisions as appropriate:

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        (a) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price under each restricted stock
purchase agreement shall be such amount as the Board or Committee shall
determine and designate in such agreement but in no event shall the purchase
price be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the stock's Fair Market Value on
the date such award is made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or
Committee may determine that eligible participants in the Plan may be awarded
stock pursuant to a stock bonus agreement in consideration for past services
actually rendered to the Company for its benefit.

        (b) TRANSFERABILITY. No rights under a stock bonus or restricted stock
purchase agreement shall be transferable except by will or the laws of descent
and distribution or, if the agreement so provides, pursuant to a domestic
relations order satisfying the requirements of Rule 16b-3, so long as stock
awarded under such agreement remains subject to the terms of the agreement.

        (c) CONSIDERATION. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to a
stock purchase agreement shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the time of
purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board or Committee, according to a
deferred payment or other arrangement with the person to whom the stock is sold;
or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the
Board or Committee in its discretion; provided, however, that at any time that
the Company is incorporated in Delaware payment of the Common Stock's "par
value," as defined in the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall not be made by
deferred payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board or Committee to which
administration of the Plan has been delegated may award stock pursuant to a
stock bonus agreement in consideration for past services actually rendered to
the Company or for its benefit.

        (d) VESTING. Shares of stock sold or awarded under the Plan may, but
need not, be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company in
accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board or Committee.

        (e) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR
CONSULTANT. In the event a Participant's Continuous Status as an Employee,
Director or Consultant terminates, the Company may repurchase or otherwise
reacquire any or all of the shares of stock held by that person which have not
vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus or
restricted stock purchase agreement between the Company and such person.

8.      COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

        (a) During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep
available at all times the number of shares of stock required to satisfy such
Stock Awards.

        (b) The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or
agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to
issue and sell shares under Stock Awards; provided, however, that this
undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") either the Plan, any Stock Award or
any stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after
reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory
commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary
for the lawful issuance

                                       9.
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and sale of stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any
liability for failure to issue and sell stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards
unless and until such authority is obtained.

9.      USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.

        Proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall
constitute general funds of the Company.

10.     MISCELLANEOUS.

        (a) The Board shall have the power to accelerate the time at which a
Stock Award may first be exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or any
part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award
stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it
will vest.

        (b) Neither an Employee, Director nor a Consultant nor any person to
whom a Stock Award is transferred in accordance with the Plan shall be deemed to
be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any
shares subject to such Stock Award unless and until such person has satisfied
all requirements for exercise of the Stock Award pursuant to its terms.

        (c) Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Stock Award
granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Employee, Consultant or other
holder of Stock Awards any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any
Affiliate, or to continue serving as a Consultant and Director, or shall affect
the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of any
Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, or the right to
terminate the relationship of any Consultant pursuant to the terms of such
Consultant's agreement with the Company or Affiliate or service as a Director
pursuant to the Company's Bylaws.

        (d) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at
the time of grant) of stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year under
all plans of the Company and its Affiliates exceeds one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000), the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according
to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options.

        (e) The Company may require any person to whom a Stock Award is granted,
or any person to whom a Stock Award is transferred in accordance with the Plan,
as a condition of exercising or acquiring stock under any Stock Award, (1) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to such person's
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a
purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is
knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that he or
she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser
representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (2) to
give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that such person is
acquiring the stock subject to the Stock Award for such person's own account and
not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the stock.
The foregoing

                                      10.
<PAGE>   11

requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be
inoperative if (i) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition
of stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) as to any
particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that
such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable
securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place
legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems
necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws,
including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the stock.

        (f) To the extent provided by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the
person to whom a Stock Award is granted may satisfy any federal, state or local
tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of stock
under a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such
means: (1) tendering a cash payment; (2) authorizing the Company to withhold
shares from the shares of the Common Stock otherwise issuable to the participant
as a result of the exercise or acquisition of stock under the Stock Award; or
(3) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered shares of the Common Stock
of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be
authorized to withhold shares of Common Stock at rates in excess of the maximum
statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including
payroll taxes.

11.     ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.

        (a) If any change is made in the stock subject to the Plan, or subject
to any Stock Award, without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock
dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating
dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate
structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the
Company), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and maximum
number of shares subject to the Plan and the maximum number of shares subject to
award to any person during any calendar year, and the outstanding Stock Awards
will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of shares and price
per share of stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards. Such adjustments
shall be made by the Board or Committee, the determination of which shall be
final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be treated as a "transaction not involving the receipt of
consideration by the Company.")

        (b) In the event of a Change in Control, (i) any surviving or acquiring
corporation shall assume Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or shall
substitute similar Stock Awards for those outstanding under the Plan, or (ii) in
the event any surviving or acquiring corporation refuses to assume such Stock
Awards or to substitute similar Stock Awards for those outstanding under the
Plan, (A) with respect to Stock Awards held by persons then performing services
as Employees, Directors or Consultants, the vesting of such Stock Awards and the
time during which such Stock Awards may be exercised shall be accelerated prior
to such event and the Stock Awards terminated if not exercised after such
acceleration and at or prior to such event, and (B) with respect to any other
Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan, such Stock Awards shall be terminated
if not exercised prior to such event.

                                      11.
<PAGE>   12

        In addition, subject to the limitation set forth in subsection 11(c)
below, with respect to any person who was providing services as an Employee,
Director or Consultant immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in
Control, any Stock Awards held by such persons shall immediately become fully
vested and exercisable, and any repurchase right by the Company with respect to
shares acquired by such person under a Stock Award shall lapse, if such person's
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant is terminated other
than for Cause within twelve (12) months following consummation of the Change in
Control.

        For purposes of the Plan, "Cause" shall mean willful conduct that is
materially injurious to the business of the person's employer, whether financial
or otherwise.

        For purposes of this Plan, "Change in Control" means: (1) a dissolution,
liquidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(2) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation; (3) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving
corporation but the shares of the Company's common shares outstanding
immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger into
other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise; or (4) the
acquisition by any person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)
or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding
any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company) of the beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable
successor rule) of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent
(50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of
directors.

        (c) If any acceleration of the vesting of a Stock Award or lapse of a
repurchase right to which such Stock Award is subject or any other payment or
benefit the holder of such Stock Award would receive pursuant to a Change in
Control from the Company or otherwise ("Payment") would (i) constitute a
"parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and (ii) but for this sentence, be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise
Tax"), then such Payment shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The "Reduced
Amount" shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result
in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest
portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after
taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes,
income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable
marginal rate), results in the Stock Award holder's receipt, on an after-tax
basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some
portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in
payments or benefits constituting "parachute payments" is necessary so that the
Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order
unless the Stock Award holder elects in writing a different order (provided,
however, that such election shall be subject to Company approval if made on or
after the effective date of the Change in Control): reduction of cash payments;
cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock awards or lapse of repurchase
rights; reduction of employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of
vesting of stock award or lapse of repurchase right compensation is to be
reduced, such acceleration shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date
of grant of the stock awards unless the Stock Award holder elect in writing a
different order for cancellation.

                                      12.
<PAGE>   13

        The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as
of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform
the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is
serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting
the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized
accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall
bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm
required to be made hereunder.

        The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall
provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to
the Company and the Stock Award holder within fifteen (15) calendar days after
the date on which the Stock Award holder's right to a Payment is triggered (if
requested at that time by the Company or the Stock Award holder) or such other
time as requested by the Company or the Stock Award holder. If the accounting
firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either
before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the
Company and the Stock Award holder with an opinion reasonably acceptable to the
Stock Award holder that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such
Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder
shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and the Stock Award
holder.

12.     AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND STOCK AWARDS.

        (a) The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the Plan.
However, except as provided in Section 11 relating to adjustments upon changes
in stock, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of
the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary for the Plan to
satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3 or any Nasdaq or
securities exchange listing requirements.

        (b) The Board may in its sole discretion submit any other amendment to
the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to
the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and
the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of performance-based
compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to
certain executive officers.

        (c) It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in
any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible
Employees, Directors or Consultants with the maximum benefits provided or to be
provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or
Incentive Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.

        (d) Rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted before
amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless
(i) the Company requests the consent of the person to whom the Stock Award was
granted and (ii) such person consents in writing.

        (e) The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of
any one or more Stock Award; provided, however, that the rights and obligations
under any Stock Award

                                      13.
<PAGE>   14

shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (i) the Company requests the
consent of the person to whom the Stock Award was granted and (ii) such person
consents in writing.

13.     TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

        (a) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless
sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the date the
Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by the stockholders of the Company,
whichever is earlier. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the
Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

        (b) Rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan
is in effect shall not be impaired by suspension or termination of the Plan,
except with the consent of the person to whom the Stock Award was granted.

14.     EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

        This Plan shall become effective on the date of adoption by the Board,
but no Stock Awards granted under the Plan shall be exercised unless and until
the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval
shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted
by the Board.

                                      14.<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.4(b)

                               ALTERA CORPORATION

                        1987 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                        (Restated effective May 26, 1999)

        The following constitute the provisions of the 1987 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Altera Corporation.

        1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common
Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention
of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
provisions of the Plan shall, accordingly, be construed so as to extend and
limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section
of the Code.

        2. Definitions.

               (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

               (c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, $0.001 par value,
of the Company.

               (d) "Company" shall mean Altera Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.

               (e) "Compensation" shall mean all regular straight-time gross
earnings, plus sales commissions and sales incentives, but exclusive of payments
for overtime, shift premium, other incentive compensation, other incentive
payments, bonuses, or other compensation.

               (f) "Continuous Status as an Employee" shall mean the absence of
any interruption or termination of service as an Employee. Continuous Status as
an Employee shall not be considered interrupted in the case of a leave of
absence agreed to in writing by the Company, provided that such leave is for a
period of not more than ninety (90) days or reemployment upon the expiration of
such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute.

               (g) "Designated Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries which
have been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as
eligible to participate in the Plan.

               (h) "Employee" shall mean any person, including an officer, who
is customarily employed for at least twenty (20) hours per week and more than
five (5) months in a calendar year by the Company or one of its Designated
Subsidiaries.

<PAGE>   2

               (i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each offering
period of the Plan.

               (j) "Offering Date" shall mean the first day of each offering
period of the Plan.

               (k) "Plan" shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

               (l) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign,
of which not less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting shares are held by the
Company or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is
hereafter organized or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

        3. Eligibility.

               (a) Any person who is an Employee as of the Offering Date of a
given offering period shall be eligible to participate in such offering period
under the Plan, subject to the requirements of paragraph 5(a) and the
limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code.

               (b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding,
no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) if, immediately after
the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to
such Employee pursuant to Section 425(d) of the Code) would own stock and/or
hold outstanding options to purchase stock possessing five percent (5%) or more
of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company or of any subsidiary of the Company; or (ii) which permits his rights to
purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans (described in Section 423
of the Code) of the Company and its subsidiaries to accrue at a rate which
exceeds Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) of fair market value of such
stock (determined at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in
which such option is outstanding at any time.

        4. Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by one offering
during each six- (6) month period of the Plan, commencing on or about August 16,
1988, and continuing thereafter until terminated in accordance with paragraph 19
hereof. The Board shall have the power to change the duration of offering
periods with respect to future offerings without shareholder approval if such
change is announced at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled beginning
of the first offering period to be affected.

        5. Participation.

               (a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by
completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deduction, on the form
provided by the Company, and filing it with the Company's payroll office prior
to the applicable Offering Date, unless a later time for filing the subscription
agreement is set by the Board for all eligible Employees with respect to a given
offering.

<PAGE>   3

               (b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the
first payroll following the Offering Date and shall end on the Exercise Date of
the offering to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated
by the participant as provided in paragraph 6(c) or 10.

        6. Payroll Deductions.

               (a) At the time a participant files his subscription agreement,
he shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each payday during the
offering period in an amount not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the Compensation
which he receives on such payday, and the aggregate of such payroll deductions
during the offering period shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of his aggregate
Compensation during said offering period.

               (b) All payroll deductions made by a participant shall be
credited to his account under the Plan. A participant may not make any
additional payments into such account.

               (c) A participant may discontinue his participation in the Plan
as provided in paragraph 10. A participant may also lower to zero, but not
thereafter increase, the rate of his payroll deductions during the offering
period by notifying the Company in writing. The decrease shall be effective
fifteen (15) days following the Company's receipt of the notification. Should an
eligible Employee decided to again participate in the Plan for future offering
periods, he must complete and file with the Company a new authorization for
payroll deduction.

        7. Grant of Option.

               (a) On the Offering Date of each offering period, each eligible
Employee participating in the Plan shall be granted an option to purchase (at
the per-share option price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
during such offering period (not to exceed an amount equal to ten percent (10%)
of his Compensation during the applicable offering period) by the option price
as defined in Section 7(b) herein, subject to the limitations set forth in
Sections 3(b) and 12 hereof, and provided, however, that in no event shall such
option be exercisable for a number of shares in excess of Twelve Thousand Five
Hundred Dollars ($12,500) divided by eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair
market value of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the Offering Date. Fair
market value of a share of the Company's Common Stock shall be determined as
provided in Section 7(b) herein.

               (b) The option price per share of the shares offered in a given
offering period shall be the lower of: (i) eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair
market value of a share of the Common Stock of the Company on the Offering Date;
or (ii) eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value of a share of the
Common Stock of the Company on the Exercise Date. The fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock on a given date shall be determined by the Board in its
discretion; provided, however, that where there is a public market for the
Common Stock, the fair market value per share shall be the mean of the bid and
asked prices of the Common Stock for such date, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise

<PAGE>   4

reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
(NASDAQ) System) or, in the event the Common Stock is listed on a stock
exchange, the fair market value per share shall be the closing price on such
exchange on such date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal.

        8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as
provided in paragraph 10, his option for the purchase of shares will be
exercised automatically on the Exercise Date of the offering period, and the
maximum number of full shares subject to option will be purchased for him at the
applicable option price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his account.
The shares purchased upon exercise of an option hereunder shall be deemed to be
transferred to the participant on the Exercise Date. During his lifetime, a
participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable only by him.

        9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after the Exercise Date of each
offering period, the Company shall arrange the delivery to each participant, as
appropriate, of a certificate representing the shares purchased upon exercise of
his option. Any cash remaining to the credit of a participant's account under
the Plan at the termination of each offering period which is insufficient to
purchase a full share of Common Stock of the Company shall be credited to the
participant's account for the next offering period, thereby reducing the maximum
amount which may be withheld from Compensation during such next offering period
if it would otherwise exceed the limits set forth in paragraphs 3(b) or 6(a),
or, if requested by the participant or if the participant has elected not to
participate for such following period, shall be returned to said participant.

        10. Withdrawal; Termination of Employment.

               (a) A participant may withdraw all, but not less than all, the
payroll deductions credited to his account under the Plan at any time prior to
the Exercise Date of the offering period by giving written notice to the
Company. All of the participant's payroll deductions credited to his account
will be paid to him promptly after receipt of his notice of withdrawal, and his
option for the current period will be automatically terminated, and no further
payroll deductions for the purchase of shares will be made during the offering
period.

               (b) Upon termination of the participant's Continuous Status as an
Employee prior to the Exercise Date of the offering period for any reason,
including retirement or death, the payroll deductions credited to his account
will be returned to him or, in the case of his death, to the person or persons
entitled thereto under paragraph 14, and his option will be automatically
terminated.

               (c) In the event an Employee fails to remain in Continuous Status
as an Employee of the Company for at least twenty (20) hours per week during the
offering period in which the employee is a participant, he will be deemed to
have elected to withdraw from the Plan, and the payroll deductions credited to
his account will be returned to him and his option terminated.

<PAGE>   5

               (d) A participant's withdrawal from an offering will not have any
effect upon his eligibility to participate in a succeeding offering or in any
similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company.

        11. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
participant in the Plan.

        12. Stock.

               (a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock
which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be six million six
hundred thousand (6,600,000) shares, subject to adjustment upon changes in
capitalization of the Company as provided in paragraph 18. If the total number
of shares which would otherwise be subject to options granted pursuant to
Section 7(a) hereof on the Offering Date of an offering period exceeds the
number of shares then available under the Plan (after deduction of all shares
for which options have been exercised or are then outstanding), the Company
shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for option
grant in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine
to be equitable. In such event, the Company shall give written notice of such
reduction of the number of shares subject to the option to each Employee
affected thereby, and shall similarly reduce the rate of payroll deductions, if
necessary.

               (b) The participant will have no interest or voting right in
shares covered by his option until such option has been exercised.

               (c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan will
be registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant
and his spouse.

        13. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of the
Company or a committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The
administration, interpretation or application of the Plan by the Board or its
committee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all participants. Members
of the Board who are eligible Employees are permitted to participate in the
Plan, provided that:

               (a) Members of the Board who are eligible to participate in the
Plan may not vote on any matter affecting the administration of the Plan or the
grant of any option pursuant to the Plan.

               (b) If a committee is established to administer the Plan, no
member of the Board who is eligible to participate in the Plan may be a member
of the committee.

        14. Designation of Beneficiary.

               (a) A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary
who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account
under the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to the end of
the offering period but prior to delivery to him

<PAGE>   6

of such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a written
designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the participant's
account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death prior to the
Exercise Date of the offering period.

               (b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the
participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a
participant, and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the
Plan who is living at the time of such participant's death, the Company shall
deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate
of the participant; or, if no such executor or administrator has been appointed
(to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver
such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or
relatives of the participant; or, if no spouse, dependent or relative is known
to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

        15. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a
participant's account nor any rights, with regard to the exercise of an option
or to receive shares under the Plan, may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in paragraph 14 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds in accordance with paragraph 10.

        16. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company
under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the
Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

        17. Reports. Individual accounts will be maintained for each participant
in the Plan. Statements of account will be given to participating Employees
promptly following the Exercise Date, which statements will set forth the
amounts of payroll deductions, the per share purchase price, the number of
shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

        18. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required
action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but have not yet been placed under option (collectively, the
"Reserves"), as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the Company of shares of stock
of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any

<PAGE>   7

class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.

        In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
the offering period will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such
proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the Board. In the event of a
proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each option under the
Plan shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be substituted by such
successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation,
unless the Board determines, in the exercise of its sole discretion and in lieu
of such assumption or substitution, that the participant shall have the right to
exercise the option as to all of the optioned stock, including shares as to
which the option would not otherwise be exercisable. If the Board makes an
option fully exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a
merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify the participant that the option
shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of
such notice, and the option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

        The Board may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole
discretion, also make provision for adjusting the Reserves, as well as the price
per share of Common Stock covered by each outstanding option, in the event that
the Company effects one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, rights
offerings or other increases or reductions of shares of its outstanding Common
Stock, and in the event of the Company being consolidated with or merged into
any other corporation.

        19. Amendment or Termination. The Board may at any time terminate or
amend the Plan. Except as provided in paragraph 18, no such termination can
affect options previously granted, nor may an amendment make any change in any
option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any
participant, nor may an amendment be made without prior approval of the
shareholders of the Company (obtained in the manner described in paragraph 21)
if such amendment would:

               (a) Increase the number of shares that may be issued under the
Plan;

               (b) Permit payroll deductions at a rate in excess of ten percent
(10%) of the participant's Compensation;

               (c) Change the designation of the employees (or class of
employees) eligible for participation in the Plan; or

               (d) If the Company has a class of equity securities registered
under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") at the time of such amendment, materially increase the benefits
which may accrue to participants under the Plan.

        If any amendment requiring shareholder approval under this paragraph 19
of the Plan is made subsequent to the first registration of any class of equity
securities by the Company under

<PAGE>   8

Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such shareholder approval shall be solicited as
described in paragraph 21 of the Plan.

        20. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the
Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly
given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by
the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

        21. Shareholder Approval.

               (a) Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the date
the Plan is adopted. If such shareholder approval is obtained at a duly held
shareholders' meeting, it must be obtained by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company, or if such
shareholder approval is obtained by written consent, it must be obtained by the
unanimous written consent of all shareholders of the Company; provided, however,
that approval at a meeting or by written consent may be obtained by a lesser
degree of shareholder approval if the Board determines, in its discretion after
consultation with the Company's legal counsel, that such a lesser degree of
shareholder approval will comply with all applicable laws and will not adversely
affect the qualification of the Plan under Section 423 of the Code.

               (b) If and in the event that the Company registers any class of
equity securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, any required
approval of the shareholders of the Company obtained after such registration
shall be solicited substantially in accordance with Section 14(a) of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (c) If any required approval by the shareholders of the Plan
itself or of any amendment thereto is solicited at any time otherwise than in
the manner described in paragraph 21(b) hereof, then the Company shall, at or
prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the later
of (i) the first registration of any class of equity securities of the Company
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or (ii) the granting of an option
hereunder to an officer or director after such registration, do the following:

                      (1) furnish in writing to the holders entitled to vote for
the Plan substantially the same information which would be required (if proxies
to be voted with respect to approval or disapproval of the Plan or amendment
were then being solicited) by the rules and regulations in effect under Section
14(a) of the Exchange Act at the time such information is furnished; and

                      (2) file with, or mail for filing to, the Securities and
Exchange Commission four (4) copies of the written information referred to in
subsection (1) hereof not later than the date on which such information is first
sent or given to shareholders.

        22. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant

<PAGE>   9

thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which
the shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

        As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the
person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the
aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

        23. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the
Company as described in paragraph 21. It shall continue in effect for a term of
twenty (20) years unless sooner terminated under paragraph 19.

<PAGE>   10

                               ALTERA CORPORATION
                        1987 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                          OFFERING DATE: APRIL 16, 2000

<TABLE>
==============================================================================================
<S>                        <C>                                   <C>
___ ORIGINAL APPLICATION   ___CHANGE IN PAYROLL DEDUCTION RATE   ___CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY(ies)

==============================================================================================
</TABLE>

All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in the "Altera Corporation 1987 Employee Stock Purchase Plan".

1.  I, ______________________________________, employee # __________ hereby
    elect to participate in the Altera Corporation 1987 Employee Stock Purchase
    Plan, as amended (the "Stock Purchase Plan"), and subscribe to purchase
    shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, in
    accordance with this Subscription Agreement and the Stock Purchase Plan.

2.  Employee Location (please check one): Corporate __ Domestic Field __
    International __ For domestic field and international employees, please list
    the state or country your office is located in. Office Location
    _______________________

3.  I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in an amount equal
    to __________% (not to exceed 10%) of my Compensation on each payday during
    the Offering Period in accordance with the Stock Purchase Plan.

4.  I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for the
    purchase of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, at the
    applicable purchase price determined in accordance with the Stock Purchase
    Plan. I further understand that, except as otherwise set forth in the Stock
    Purchase Plan, shares will be purchased for me automatically on the Exercise
    Date of the Offering Period unless I otherwise withdraw from the Stock
    Purchase Plan by giving written notice to the Company for such purpose.

5.  I have received a copy of the Company's most recent prospectus, which
    describes the Stock Purchase Plan, and a copy of the complete "Altera
    Corporation 1987 Employee Stock Purchase Plan". I understand that my
    participation in the Stock Purchase Plan is in all respects subject to the
    terms of the Plan.

6.  I HAVE NOT elected the DIRECT DEPOSIT PROGRAM. Please issue my shares under
    the following
    name(s)_______________________________________________________.

7.  I HAVE elected the DIRECT DEPOSIT PROGRAM. My broker of choice is:

               __ Smith Barney     __ Charles Schwab

    My account number is ______________________________ (If selection of the
Direct Deposit Program is indicated, account number must be included)

8.  I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Stock Purchase Plan. The
    effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent upon my
    eligibility to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan.

------------------------------------------                   -------------------
Employee Signature                                           Date

<PAGE>   11

              ALTERA CORPORATION 1987 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                             BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the Stock
Purchase Plan:

PRIMARY (PLEASE PRINT)
================================================================================

NAME: (PLEASE PRINT)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (FIRST)       (MIDDLE)              (LAST)           (RELATIONSHIP)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, IF APPLICABLE)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (STREET ADDRESS)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (CITY)                      (STATE)                      (ZIP)

================================================================================

SECONDARY (PLEASE PRINT)
================================================================================

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (FIRST)       (MIDDLE)              (LAST)           (RELATIONSHIP)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, IF APPLICABLE)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (STREET ADDRESS)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (CITY)                      (STATE)                      (ZIP)

================================================================================

================================================================================

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (FIRST)       (MIDDLE)              (LAST)           (RELATIONSHIP)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, IF APPLICABLE)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (STREET ADDRESS)

        -------------------------------------------------------------------
        (CITY)                      (STATE)                      (ZIP)

================================================================================

------------------------------------------                   -------------------
Employee Signature                                           Date

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