Synopsys launches DesignWare USB software alliance program

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Synopsys Inc. has launched the DesignWare USB Software Alliance Program with leading USB software providers emsys, Jungo, MCCI and MicroDigital as inaugural members.

This alliance program establishes an ecosystem of qualified USB software providers for drivers, firmware and stacks which have proven interoperability with Synopsys' DesignWare USB 2.0 and SuperSpeed USB 3.0 IP.

Synopsys and its DesignWare USB Software Alliance Program members can help designers to quickly incorporate USB connectivity into their system-on-chips (SoCs) with less risk and provide consumers with the plug-and-play functionality required for PCs, peripherals, mobile devices and consumer electronic products.

The DesignWare USB Software Alliance Program brings together a worldwide ecosystem of USB software vendors whose proven technology has undergone extensive interoperability testing with Synopsys' DesignWare USB IP and their end-customers' products. Synopsys works with its DesignWare USB Alliance Program members to help ensure that the members' software drivers and firmware work seamlessly with Synopsys' high-quality DesignWare USB IP, thus providing a comprehensive solution from software to the PHY layers.

The alliance program members specialize in a wide range of USB-enabled software applications, allowing SoC designers to easily select the software vendor best suited to help accelerate the development of their USB-based designs. The members also can provide designers with customized development kits, services and worldwide support to help them achieve certification from the USB Implementer Forum (USB-IF).

Access to these expert technical resources further eases the integration effort and allows engineers to focus on product differentiation rather than driver and firmware development.

"Through our membership in the DesignWare USB Alliance Program, we are able to test our software for interoperability with the DesignWare USB IP," said Karsten Pahnke, CEO of emsys Embedded Systems GmbH. "Proven interoperable solutions help our mutual customers significantly speed their software and product development time."

"Jungo's USBware includes extensive support for Synopsys' DesignWare USB 2.0 digital IP cores, and we plan to extend support for their SuperSpeed USB 3.0 IP," said Ophir Herbert, general manager of Jungo. "Joining the DesignWare USB Software Alliance Program enables us to conduct thorough interoperability testing of our USB protocol software stack with Synopsys' DesignWare USB IP, ensuring that designers can more reliably incorporate USB connectivity into their designs."

"MCCI's USB DataPump software solutions support Synopsys' DesignWare USB 2.0 and SuperSpeed USB IP in a range of operating systems and hardware platforms," said Terry Moore, CEO of MCCI. "We use the same HAPS FPGA-based Prototyping Platform to pre-verify and ensure full SuperSpeed USB performance. By joining the DesignWare USB Software Alliance Program, we can leverage our mutual experience of USB to provide products and global support to mutual customers."

"Working closely with a leading IP provider like Synopsys has allowed us to successfully integrate DesignWare IP and deliver differentiated products to the market," said Ralph Moore, president of MicroDigital. "As a member of the DesignWare USB Alliance Program, MicroDigital is working to ensure that our SMX Operating system is fully interoperable with Synopsys' proven and compliant USB IP solutions. This further helps designers ease their integration efforts and speed overall development time."

"Software is a key element to making USB devices easy to use for consumers," said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for the Solutions Group at Synopsys. "The DesignWare USB Software Alliance Program helps ensure that designers incorporate software that has been proven interoperable with Synopsys' DesignWare USB IP solutions, allowing them to bring high-quality products to the market faster and with significantly less risk."