iC-Haus Converts to Synopsys HSIM-XA for Their Zero-Defect Mixed-Signal Chips
XA Acceleration Technology Cited as Key Decision Factor; Reduces Simulation Time from Six Hours to Minutes
PRNewswire-FirstCall
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.
(NASDAQ:SNPS)

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design and manufacturing, today announced that iC-Haus GmbH, a leading manufacturer of standard integrated circuits (ICs) and customized ASIC semiconductor solutions for industrial, automotive and medical applications, has deployed Synopsys' HSIM-XA solution for precise circuit simulation with full-chip complexity. iC-Haus switched to HSIM-XA after an extensive evaluation that clearly demonstrated its ability to reduce simulation time from six hours to just minutes and deliver superior performance and accuracy over previous solutions.

"Our high-performance products must adhere to the ISO 9001-certified 3-Zero Program: zero defects from production test, zero defects in product lifetimes, and zero redesigns," said Dr. Heiner Flocke, CEO of iC-Haus. "To meet these high standards, the entire microsystem must be verified at the transistor level with parasitic effects, which we were unable to achieve with our previous solutions. Significant enhancements to performance and accuracy were the key decision factors for us to convert to Synopsys' HSIM-XA. The results have been correlated to actual mixed signal silicon, achieving our goal of delivering 3-Zero products."

XA acceleration technology allows customers to achieve HSPICE® accuracy while delivering orders-of-magnitude-higher performance and capacity than existing FastSPICE simulators. XA's superior performance derives from a combination of advanced technologies, including compiled code simulation algorithms for faster transient analysis, topology and behavior-driven recognition algorithms to optimize simulation capacity, and an adaptive multi-rate evaluation engine delivering HSPICE accuracy with higher throughput. Combining the robust XA acceleration technology with either NanoSim® or HSIM® delivers a complete transistor-level verification solution.

"The innovative technology in HSIM-XA enables customers like iC-Haus to quickly and accurately verify their mission-critical designs. This is a clear testimony to the benefits of using Synopsys' comprehensive circuit simulation solution," said Paul Lo, senior vice president and general manager of the Analog/Mixed-signal Group at Synopsys. "The XA acceleration technology augments our proven NanoSim and HSIM simulators to deliver "out-of-the-box" SPICE accuracy while maintaining FastSPICE performance and capacity."

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading system and semiconductor design and verification platforms, IC manufacturing and yield optimization solutions, semiconductor intellectual property and design services to the global electronics market. These solutions enable the development and production of complex integrated circuits and electronic systems. Through its comprehensive solutions, Synopsys addresses the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, including power management, accelerated time to yield and system-to-silicon verification. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 60 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.

About iC-Haus

iC-Haus GmbH is one of the leading independent German manufacturers of ASSPs and customized ASiC semiconductor solutions. The company has been active in the design, production and sales of application-specific iCs for industrial, automotive and medical technology since 1984 and is represented worldwide, in the US with its own design capability. The iC-Haus cell libraries in CMOS, BCD and Bipolar technologies are fully equipped to realize the design of Smart Sensor-iC, Laser-/Opto-iC and Actuator-iC devices.

The iCs are assembled either in standard plastic packages or using chip-on-board technology to manufacture complete microsystems, multichip modules or -- in combination with sensors -- optoBGAs™.

Further information is available on the iC-Haus website at http://www.ichaus.com/.

Synopsys, HSIM, HSPICE and NanoSim are registered trademarks or trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. Any other trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

   Editorial Contacts:
   Sheryl Gulizia
   Synopsys, Inc.
   650-584-8635
   sgulizia@synopsys.com

   Stephan Brennan
   MCA, Inc.
   650-968-8900
   sbrennan@mcapr.com

SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.

CONTACT: Sheryl Gulizia of Synopsys, Inc., +1-650-584-8635,
sgulizia@synopsys.com; or Stephan Brennan of MCA, Inc., +1-650-968-8900,
sbrennan@mcapr.com, for Synopsys, Inc.

Web site: http://www.synopsys.com/
http://www.ichaus.com/