SpringSoft joins Si2 OpenPDK Coalition

HSINCHU, TAIWAN: SpringSoft Inc. has become a founding member of the Open Process Design Kit Coalition (OpenPDK) sponsored by the Silicon Integration Initiative (Si2), an organization focused on the development and adoption of standards to improve the way integrated circuits (ICs) are designed.

This follows the recent announcement by Si2 that its Board of Directors approved the formation of the OpenPDK Coalition to define a set of open standards for the creation of PDKs that are as portable across foundries and as agnostic to electronic design automation (EDA) tools as possible.

A PDK is a collection of technology files that provide all of the necessary infrastructure elements for creating custom IC designs such as parameterized cell (PCell) libraries, rule decks, simulation models, and more.

PDKs are created for each foundry and manufacturing process combination to ensure that all elements work together. The Si2 OpenPDK is aimed at enabling greater efficiency in PDK development, verification and delivery with an industry-wide solution that provides equivalent support to all foundries, EDA tool vendors, IP providers, and end users.

“Si2 welcomes SpringSoft to the OpenPDK Coalition,” said Steve Shultz, CEO of Si2. “We applaud SpringSoft’s efforts to foster interoperability and its dedication to open standards.”

SpringSoft is also a founding member of the Interoperable PDK Library (IPL) Alliance, which in February 2010 released the IPL 1.0 standard for open, interoperable PCells (iPDK), which enables users to create PCells that can be used in almost any OpenAccess-compatible EDA tool.

By joining the Si2 OpenPDK Coalition, SpringSoft hopes to further expand its iPDK efforts supported today in SpringSoft’s Laker Custom Layout Automation System and help define standards that are even more beneficial for users as well as EDA vendors.

“By being one of the first companies to join the OpenPDK Coalition, SpringSoft is again demonstrating leadership and our commitment to the implementation of truly OpenPDKs,” said Duncan McDonald, director of product marketing for SpringSoft. “We look forward to working with the Si2 OpenPDK Coalition, because SpringSoft believes this effort will further build on the Si2 OpenAccess standard and drive innovation in custom IC design.”