Exar selects Cadence as mixed-signal EDA provider

SAN JOSE, USA: Cadence Design Systems Inc. announced that Exar Corp. has signed an expanded business agreement to establish Cadence as its leading chip planning and mixed-signal design solutions provider.

As a result of the new multi-year agreement, the Cadence Virtuoso and Encounter platforms, as well as the Cadence Chip Planning Solution, will make up Exar’s key mixed-signal design environment for designs at 65 nanometers and below.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Cadence as they have consistently provided the technology required for our project needs,” said George Apostol, senior vice president and CTO, Exar.

“We also believe that they have the technology leadership and outstanding technical support that is vital to helping us deliver highly differentiated silicon solutions to our customers. Cadence tools, especially for mixed-signal designs, are ideal for our forthcoming data communications, storage, interface and power-management products.”

With the new agreement, Exar has chosen the Cadence Virtuoso platform for its analog and custom design and implementation technology. Additionally, the company will use Cadence Multi-mode Simulation technology for RF, FastSpice, and mixed-signal simulations.

Exar will use the Cadence Encounter Digital Implementation System for digital design prototyping and floorplanning. And lastly, Exar has adopted the Cadence Chip Planning Solution as the standard for its IC conceptualization, analysis, and planning activities across the organization.

“Companies like Exar succeed through their ability to create highly differentiated designs, and are justifiably selective when it comes to the partners with whom they entrust their design flows,” said Steve Carlson, vice president of marketing at Cadence.

“Cadence welcomes the opportunity for a long-term relationship with Exar, and we look forward to helping them further distinguish their products through technical innovation and rapid market introduction.”