Synopsys delivers optimized Lynx design system for common platform 32/28-nm

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Synopsys Inc. announced that it is delivering an optimized, pre-validated design environment for the Common Platform alliance (CPA) 32/28-nanometer(nm) high-k metal gate (HKMG) technology based on Synopsys' Lynx Design System.

Accomplished under a multi-year collaboration with ARM and the Common Platform alliance [IBM, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, GLOBALFOUNDRIES], the optimizations to the Lynx Design System and its Galaxy Implementation Platform-enabled flow for ARM's advanced physical IP and the ARM Cortex™ A9 MPCore processor reduce risk and total development cost for advanced 32/28nm system-on-chip (SoC) designs.

Synopsys' support for the HKMG 32/28-nm technology includes:

* An optimized Lynx Design System.
-- A flow configured for the pre-validated ARM CPA 32/28-nm LP standard cells and memories, which expedites design setup and start.
-- Baseline design checks and guidelines for the CPA 32/28-nm LP node that speed design closure and tapeout.
-- A performance- and power-optimized implementation flow for the ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor that targets GHz+ results using ARM physical IP.
-- An environment for full SoC integration of processors, peripherals and interface IP.
* Full Synopsys Galaxy Implementation Platform enablement for the 32/28-nm LP technology.
* Silicon-proven Synopsys DesignWare connectivity IP, such as USB 2.0 On-the-Go (OTG) PHY.

"Along with our partners in the Common Platform alliance, we have collaborated with Synopsys to tune the Lynx Design System and DesignWare connectivity IP for 32/28-nanometer low-power process technology," said Andy Brotman, vice president of Design Infrastructure at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. "Our customers are now able to immediately benefit from the unique advantages of ARM physical IP and Synopsys tools, flows and IP for a low risk, scalable path to implementing their designs in our 28 nanometer HKMG technology."

"Through early and deep collaboration between ARM, Synopsys and the Common Platform alliance, designers have a rich design environment for 32/28 nanometer SoCs that takes full advantage of the IP, tools and process technology," said Simon Segars, EVP and GM, physical IP division at ARM. "The jointly-optimized design flow in the Lynx Design System aims at achieving gigahertz-plus results 'out of the box' with ARM physical IP for our Cortex-A9 MPCore advanced processor, which is at the heart of leading mobile SoC designs."

"By leveraging the collaborative strengths of ARM, the Common Platform alliance and Synopsys, we are delivering a production-ready design solution that enables our mutual customers to adopt the latest technologies for their most advanced chips," said John Koeter, vice president of Marketing for the Solutions Group at Synopsys.

"Building on silicon-proven products such as the Lynx Design System, Galaxy
Implementation Platform tools and DesignWare IP enables our customers to mitigate their project risks and streamline their implementation process."

The Synopsys Lynx Design System is available immediately from Synopsys. ARM physical IP for the 32/28-nm HKMG process is readily accessible from ARM through DesignStart. The CPA 32/28-nm LP HKMG process and enabled PDKs are available from respective CPA companies: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, IBM and Samsung.