Synopsys, SMIC to deliver proven SoC design solution for 65-nm to 40-nm process nodes

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA & SHANGHAI, CHINA: Synopsys Inc. and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) announced that they have delivered a comprehensive solution for system-on-chip (SoC) design for SMIC's advanced 65-nanometer (nm) process.

The solution integrates Synopsys' broad DesignWare interface and analog IP portfolio plus other foundation IP with Synopsys' Galaxy Implementation Platform, in a tuned reference flow. The companies have also begun work on their 40-nm design solution. Based on collaboration agreements for 65-nm and 40-nm, SMIC has selected Synopsys as the main supplier for design implementation software and IP solutions consisting of digital controllers, PHYs and analog IP.

Amlogic, a fabless supplier of video, audio and image processing chips, leveraged the combined benefits of the SMIC and Synopsys solution to meet their aggressive performance, power and schedule goals for their complex, leading-edge 18-million gate portable media SoC.

In this product tapeout, Amlogic took full advantage of productivity capabilities within the Galaxy Implementation Platform, such as IC Compiler's Multi-Corner Multi-Mode (MCMM) optimization and ECO timing fixing to speed their design cycle.

Amlogic also utilized Synopsys' high-quality, proven DesignWare interface and analog IP solutions, optimized for SMIC's low power 65LL process, to meet Amlogic's performance and integration goals while ensuring product success.

"Amlogic's newest AML8726-M multimedia SoC combines our proprietary HD multimedia processing engine with ARM Cortex A-9 and ARM Mali-400, setting a new standard for high-performance multimedia SoCs. The AML8726-M provides a good balance between power, performance and cost, while supporting advanced mobile media capabilities from Android 2.2 to 1080P video decoding, 1080P HDMI output to HDTV, web browsing with HTML5, and Flash 10.1," said Mike Yip, vice president of engineering at Amlogic.

"Synopsys and SMIC have enabled us to tape out our design with precisely what we needed: proven on-chip interface and mixed signal IP that lower the total systems bill of materials cost for our OEM/ODM customers, plus ample chip-level performance for the most demanding multimedia applications."

"We selected Synopsys to collaborate with us to deliver our solution for 65-nanometer and 40-nanometer SoC design," said Chris Chi, senior vice president and chief business officer at SMIC.

"Our Design Services team counts on the Galaxy Implementation Platform's productivity and quality of results when we're helping our end-customers with their complex designs. We've had a long history of successful DesignWare PHY and analog IP development with Synopsys for SMIC's 180-nanometer to 65-nanometer process technologies. I am confident that these experiences and further innovation will ensure the same success at 40 nanometers.

"We have collaborated with SMIC to deliver a comprehensive design solution to enable companies to quickly and productively create SoCs that take full advantage of SMIC's latest process technologies," said John Chilton, senior vice president of marketing and strategic development at Synopsys. "The success of our mutual customers, like Amlogic, demonstrates the value of our early and deep collaboration."

The Synopsys Galaxy Implementation Platform is available immediately from Synopsys. Selected DesignWare IP for the SMIC 65LL process is available today. SMIC 65-nm and 40-nm process and enabled PDKs are available via SMIC.