SPRINGSOFT COMPLETES OPENACCESS-COMPATIBLE IC LAYOUT FLOW WITH ENHANCEMENTS TO LAKER ADP DESIGN ENTRY SYSTEM
HSINCHU, Taiwan, March 14, 2011 — SpringSoft, Inc., a global supplier of specialized IC design software, today announced the availability of the latest version of its Laker™ Advanced Design Platform (ADP) design entry tool, completing its front-to-back custom IC layout flow based on the OpenAccess (OA) standard. The new software release also includes a host of productivity-enhancing features and improvements for design entry, analysis and navigation.
The Laker ADP tool set is an integrated system that includes a full-featured schematic entry tool, an open simulation console for managing interfaces to third-party simulation tools, and an interactive waveform analyzer. Laker ADP gives designers an efficient, time-saving entry point to drive the company’s award-winning Laker Custom Layout Automation System, accurately linking design intent and critical constraints in a production-proven schematic-driven (SDL) flow. Now, with OA support, users can more easily move between the Laker ADP and layout environments, providing a streamlined path to the automation benefits of the Laker custom layout platform and creating the industry’s most robust OA-compatible IC design flow.
“SpringSoft has established itself as leader in providing open, interoperable solutions through our support of OA. The latest release of Laker ADP provides a complete OA-based custom IC design flow, allowing new levels of productivity as well as integration with other critical tools in the design flow,” said JT Li, VP of Physical Design & Technology Product Group, at SpringSoft.
OA Support Expands Interoperability
The OA standardization effort was initiated by Si2 to dramatically reduce the number of translation steps in the typical electronic design automation (EDA) flow with a single database and application programming interface (API) created specifically for IC design. SpringSoft has invested significantly in helping to make OA viable and productive for IC designers, collaborating with other industry leaders and key OA supporters to develop, test and implement the infrastructure and technologies required to enable true interoperability within a heterogeneous tool environment.
With OA implementation in Laker ADP, the entire Laker tool flow from design through layout now supports the Interoperable PDK Libraries (IPL) Alliance standard 1.0, including iCDF, callbacks and PyCells, providing compatibility with interoperable process design kits (iPDKs) from leading foundries. OA support in Laker ADP also allows easy integration of third-party tools within system through the OA API.
New Features for Increased Efficiency
In addition to OA support, the new Laker ADP release improves existing functionality and adds time-saving features that facilitate better integration with third-party tools and more in-depth design analysis of complex designs. These include an enhanced open simulation console for more efficient interaction with popular analog simulators, allowing designers to specify simulation parameters and execute simulation runs without leaving the Laker ADP environment. Enhancements to the schematic editor include multi-sheet support, infix mode editing, on-screen parameter editing, auto-completion of wiring, and dynamic net highlighting.
JT Li added, “As designs become more complex, it is important that we continue to add capabilities that further automate the design creation and analysis process, and provide more comprehensive support for analog and mixed-signal design functions. With this latest release, we have enhanced the entry point for custom IC design while maintaining the familiar look-and-feel and benefits of our schematic-driven layout system. This makes it easier for engineers to explore and verify custom designs and take full advantage of the complete Laker IC design flow.”
About Laker Custom IC Design
Laker custom IC design solutions offer the power of controllable automation and unmatched interoperability to achieve superior layout results with less effort for analog, mixed-signal, and custom digital designs. More than 300 companies, including many of the world’s leading semiconductor companies, have adopted the Laker layout system for designs down to 28 nanometers. For more information about Laker products, visit: http://www.springsoft.com/products.
About SpringSoft
SpringSoft, Inc. (TAIEX: 2473) is a global supplier of specialized automation technologies that accelerate engineers during the design, verification and debug of complex digital, analog and mixed-signal ICs, ASICs, microprocessors, and SoCs. Its award-winning product portfolio features the Novas™ Verification Enhancement and Laker Custom IC Design solutions used by more than 400 of today's leading IDM and fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, and electronic systems OEMs. Headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, SpringSoft is the largest company in Asia specializing in IC design software and a recognized industry leader in customer service with more than 400 employees located in multiple R&D sites and local support offices around the world. For more information, visit www.springsoft.com.
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