(iTers News) - Synopsys, Inc. said that Intel Custom Foundry has certified digital and custom implementation tools from the Synopsys Galaxy Design Platform for Intel's 14-nanometer (nm) tri-gate process technology. The certification enables customers of Intel Custom Foundry to realize predictability in design closure while taking advantage of the power and performance benefits of the 14-nm tri-gate process. In addition, Intel Custom Foundry offers a system-on-chip (SoC) design flow for 14-nm implementation and signoff based on the industry-leading tools in the Galaxy Design Platform.

Key tools of the Galaxy Design Platform certified for the 14-nm process include: IC Compiler™ place and route, PrimeTime® static timing and noise analysis, IC Validator physical verification, HSPICE® and CustomSim™ circuit simulation and StarRC™ signoff extraction. 

Using a proven methodology with certified tools accelerates design closure and gives customers of Intel Custom Foundry confidence in achieving success on their most challenging designs on Intel's 14nm process. Synopsys and Intel Custom Foundry employed a PowerVR Series6 GPU from Imagination, together with Synopsys' high-speed and ultra high-density DesignWare® Embedded Memories, as the certification vehicle to validate the Synopsys Galaxy platform for a complete RTL-to-GDSII methodology. This addresses real-world design challenges as part of the certification process, ensuring that the certified tools satisfy all of Intel's multi-pattering and tri-gate design rules on a complex design relevant to Intel Custom Foundry's customers.

"We have certified the Synopsys Galaxy Design Platform for our mutual customers to implement, verify and signoff differentiated SoC designs targeting Intel's 14-nanometer technology with our second-generation of tri-gate transistors in high-volume manufacturing," said Ali Farhang, vice president, Design Enablement and Services, Intel Custom Foundry. "This certification was only possible through a collaborative three-way effort by Intel Custom Foundry, Synopsys and Imagination Technologies."

"Our long-standing, deep engineering collaboration with Intel Custom Foundry and Imagination has enabled us to deliver a certified, silicon-proven implementation solution for our mutual customers," said Antun Domic, executive vice president and general manager, Synopsys Design Group. "Combined with the experience of more than 15 successful customer SoC tapeouts with Synopsys Galaxy tools, several already in production, this collaborative effort is enabling designers to deliver next-generation designs with aggressive QoR goals."

"Imagination worked closely with Intel Custom Foundry and Synopsys to use our PowerVR Series6 GPU for tool certification," said Tony King-Smith, EVP marketing, Imagination. "This effort leverages the extensive work we have already done with Synopsys to ensure design flows deliver excellent power, performance and area for our GPUs and other IP."