( ESNUG 384 Item 5 ) -------------------------------------------- [12/06/01]
Subject: Chip Architect, Hidden Dragon, Cadence Buying Silicon Perspectives
From: "John Russo" <jrusso@infiniconsys.com>
This merger will be VERY good if Synopsys is smart enough to take the best
of their tools (PhysOpt) and merge it with the best of Avanti routing, etc.
This is easier said than done. If Synopsys falls into a "not invented
here" mode and tries to push their upcoming flows instead, they will shoot
themselves in the foot.
Cadence raised the bar recently with the acquisition of Silicon Perspectives.
Now Synopsys can "one-up" them with the combo of PhysOpt and Apollo/Astro.
We are back to two heavyweights in the EDA market. The people who should be
nervous are Magma and Monterey.
- John Russo
InfiniCon Systems
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From: "Zachi Feldman" <zachif@dunenetworks.com>
Dear John,
The Synopsys buy out of Avanti will have three effects:
- We may get better tools in the future that will help for chip timing
closure.
- EDA tools prices may go up as the number of players will go down.
- Cadence will have to put much more energy in Ambit tools as they have
closed the floor plan gap with Silicon Perspective buy BUT they don't
have a leading synthesize tool.
Best Regards
- Zachi Feldman
Dune Networks Yakum, Israel
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From: "Hui Fu" <Hui.Fu@infineon.com>
Hi John
The acquisition is a good strategic movement for Synopsys to complete it's
RTL2GDS flow (which is currently missing the clock tree and router parts.)
Synopsys can also gain backend expertise from Avanti.
As tool users, we can benefit from the Synopsys support for a "complete"
flow. However, Synopsys still lacks a powerful floorplan/prototyping tool.
"Hidden Dragon" or "Chip Architect" still not on par with the SPC FE.
- Hui Fu
Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific
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From: Manoo Desai <manoo.desai@mindspeed.com>
John,
I think that Synopsys buying Avanti is a good thing. Synopys has a good
solution for synthesis and they've been trying to cross over to the backend
via Chip Architect and PhysOpt. Lots of people are familiar with Design
Compiler and use it as part of their regular design cycle. With the
addition of the Avanti tools, Synopsys will have a real layout solution.
Chip Architect cannot do global routing. The clock tree synthesis is far
from useful right now. Synopsys will be able to plug those holes and offer
a full solution to their customers. Lots of Synopsys customers already use
Avanti tools. Hopefully, the timing driven placement will be better
integrated now with the merger.
The only bad thing is that Synopsys could get bogged down with managing so
many tools and trying to keep a consistent design methodology.
The other advantage by acquiring Avanti is a better Formal verification
tool (if they decide to stay with Chrysalis).
- Manoo Desai
Mindspeed Technologies Westboro, MA
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