CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

7 May 2007

Product News

Synopsys Design Compiler Topographical Technology Adopted by IBM to Accelerate ASIC Designs for Customers

Synopsys, Inc. announced that IBM has added support for topographical technology in its 90-nanometer (nm) and 65nm-based application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design kits. Synopsys' Design Compiler® topographical technology enables IBM's ASIC customers to achieve tighter correlation between design results such as timing and power seen during synthesis and the results achieved after layout. This eliminates the need for time-consuming iterations between synthesis and layout to achieve design closure, thus significantly accelerating overall design time.

"We are pleased with the results we have seen with topographical technology. During our evaluation, synthesis results were consistently within 5 percent of actual physical implementation results. The tight correlation between synthesis and layout is critical for a predictable RTL-to-GDSII flow," said Richard Busch, director of ASIC Products and Services at IBM Global Engineering Solutions. "We have made topographical technology available in 90nm- and 65nm-based design kits to speed up ASIC design time for our customers."

Design Compiler topographical technology shares technologies with the GalaxyT Design Platform physical design solution to accurately predict final design results such as timing, area, testability and power during synthesis. It enables RTL designers to foresee results after layout. Using Synopsys' topographical technology-based methodology, IBM's ASIC customers can take corrective measures to ensure that their design will achieve the required performance prior to sending the netlist to IBM for physical implementation. Consequently, IBM receives a better-quality netlist from its customers that speeds up physical implementation while meeting the required performance targets.

"A growing number of ASIC vendors are adopting topographical technology to streamline their design flow," said Antun Domic, senior vice president and general manager, Synopsys Implementation Group. "IBM's support enables its ASIC customers to reap the benefits of topographical technology in completing their most advanced ASICs much faster, with higher predictability and fewer iterations."

Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.

Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.

CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.

Subscribe