Deal to support modular array ASICs

Synplicity and Lightspeed Semiconductor have signed a joint technology development agreement to provide support for Lightspeed's 0.13um Luminance family of modular array ASIC devices.

Synplicity and Lightspeed Semiconductor have signed a joint technology development agreement to provide support for Lightspeed's 0.13um Luminance family of modular array ASIC devices.

Under the terms of the agreement, Synplicity will develop custom synthesis mapping technology for its Synplify ASIC software, optimised to deliver enhanced performance, density and design productivity for Lightspeed's Luminance devices.

Lightspeed will distribute Synplicity's Synplify ASIC library and accept Synplify ASIC netlists and timing analysis results as input to Lightspeed's back-end P and R tools.

"With up to 10 million gates and the ability to deliver production 0.13um silicon in less than three months, our Luminance architecture leads the industry in delivering the density and time to market advantages design teams need to achieve aggressive design goals", said Richard Terrill, VP/Business Development for Lightspeed Semiconductor.

"We chose to work with Synplicity due to their experience in delivering high-performance, high-productivity synthesis technology and expertise in developing custom mapping technology.

The Luminance-specific customisation that Synplicity is doing will provide a 15% improvement in timing results over standard Synplify ASIC".

This development project builds on Synplicity's existing support for Lightspeed ASICs.

Citing the software's ability to deliver fast timing convergence, Lightspeed has offered ASIC library support for the synthesis software for more than a year.

"For complex ASIC devices such as Lightspeed's Luminance products, the availability of high-performance, high-productivity design tools customised for the architecture is critical to designer success", said Ken McElvain, Chief Technical Officer of Synplicity.

"Over the past year, we have heard positive feedback from Lightspeed's ASIC customers regarding our Synplify ASIC software, and look forward to extending support to the Luminance devices to help enable this next-generation modular array technology.

We believe our close relationship with Lightspeed will provide our mutual customers with a best-in-class, high-capacity custom synthesis solution that will offer fast runtimes and excellent results".

Back to top