Cadence, Synopsys Beef Up The Back End

Feb. 17, 2003

Cadence, Synopsys beef up the back end. Through strategic acquisitions, Cadence and Synopsys continue to strengthen their physical-IC design-tool divisions. Synopsys struck first by acquiring Numerical Technologies Inc., giving Synopsys a deeper reach into the mask-making process. Numerical's tools enable production of ICs with feature sizes smaller than the wavelength of light. Cadence's grab of Celestry adds more silicon-modeling muscle and expanded full-chip circuit simulation technology. Both Cadence and Synopsys look to leverage the back-end acquisitions in developing their respective 130- and 90-nm tool flows, as well as their links to foundries. For details, visit www.cadence.com and www.synopsys.com.

About the Author

David Maliniak

MWRF Executive Editor

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.