ARM Implements the Cadence Library Characterization Solution for Advanced Node Foundation IP Development

Highlights:

• Virtuoso Liberate with Spectre Circuit Simulator increases the characterization speed of ARM Artisan physical IP libraries for advanced nodes
• User-friendly "Inside View" technology delivers key automation
• Output libraries meet ARM's stringent accuracy targets for 16nm FinFET static timing analysis (STA) correlation

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), a leader in global electronic design automation, today announced ARM's integration of the Cadence® library characterization flow for advanced node foundation IP development, including standard cells and complex multi-bit cells. Comprised of Cadence Virtuoso® Liberate™ and natively integrated Cadence Spectre® Circuit Simulator, the solution provides increased performance improvement in the characterization or re-characterization of ARM® Artisan® physical IP libraries, while meeting ARM's stringent accuracy targets.

The implementation of the Cadence library characterization solution is a significant step in the partnership between ARM and Cadence in the development of systems on chip (SoCs) at the 16nm FinFET advanced process node and beyond.

By utilizing the Cadence solution, ARM can tackle the accuracy, modeling, and runtime challenges of designing high-performance, low-power SoCs at advanced geometries. ARM successfully tested the Cadence flow on advanced FinFET standard cell and I/O libraries. Key differentiators of the Cadence solution include the easy-to-use "Inside View" technology in the Virtuoso Liberate tool, which automatically identifies the functionality and all the conditions needed for worst-case coverage, and the native integration of Spectre Circuit Simulator, providing throughput and accuracy for advanced process nodes.

"ARM is focused on maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of our development processes. The Cadence solution delivers the ease-of-use and performance we are seeking," said Brent Dichter, vice president of design automation, physical design group, ARM. "As a result of our evaluations, we have integrated the Cadence tools into our production library characterization development environment for advanced FinFET process technologies."

"In today's competitive landscape, leading technology companies are looking to seize upon every opportunity to get their top-tier products to market as fast as possible," said Tom Beckley, senior vice president of the Custom IC and PCB group at Cadence. "We're proud to work with ARM to deliver production-quality libraries to our mutual customers for advanced process node designs using the Cadence characterization solution."