MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design and manufacturing, today announced that it has contributed a draft standard for Interoperable Property and Parameter Definitions to the IPL (Interoperable PDK Libraries) Alliance. This contribution from Synopsys significantly advances PDK interoperability by establishing a standard for the critical link between the schematic and layout design data.

The IPL Alliance is an industry-wide collaborative effort to create and promote interoperable process design kit (PDK) standards. A PDK is a comprehensive set of foundry verified data files, including schematic symbols, property and parameter definitions, parameterized cells (PCells), used in a complete analog and mixed signal design flow. The Synopsys Property and Parameter Definitions contribution is the result of a collaborative effort between IPL Alliance members and represents major progress in achieving IPL Alliance interoperability goals.

"As a founder of the IPL Alliance, SpringSoft welcomes Synopsys' contribution of the interoperable property and parameter definitions to the IPL standard," said Scott Sandler, president of SpringSoft USA. "We have demonstrated the interoperability of these standards and the advanced PCell functions they enable with our Laker Custom Layout System, while passing data to and from Synopsys' Galaxy Custom Designer™ solution and other OpenAccess-based tools. We appreciate the dedication and support of the Synopsys team that prepared these critical elements of the IPL standard."

"Synopsys has been a strong advocate of standards that benefit the industry and enable us to better serve our customers," said Rich Goldman, vice president of corporate marketing and strategic market development at Synopsys. "Standardized PDKs can reduce PDK development and support costs, minimize integration efforts and create choices for our customers in building their analog and custom design flows. This contribution demonstrates our continued support of and commitment to the IPL Alliance to facilitate the growth of the industry, as well as our customers' success."

The property and parameter definitions draft standard will be immediately available to current IPL members. The IPL Alliance Property and Parameter Working Group will work towards finalizing and approving the draft standard. For more information, please contact Jingwen Yuan, IPL Alliance, at info@iplnow.com.

About the IPL Alliance

The IPL (Interoperable PDK Libraries) Alliance is an industry wide collaborative effort to create and promote interoperable process design kit (PDK) standards. Since its inception in April 2007, the IPL Alliance has made tremendous progress in solving PCell interoperability. A free IPL reference library and an online interoperability demonstration are available for download at http://www.iplnow.com/, the IPL Alliance web site. An IPL ecosystem has been established to validate PCell interoperability within all members' tools. The IPL Alliance has formed three technical working groups for Properties and Parameters, PCells and Constraints to expand its charter to address broader interoperability issues with foundry PDKs and design flows. IPL Alliance members include Applied Wave Research (AWR), Ciranova, Helic, JEDAT, Magma Design Automation, Micro Magic, Silicon Navigator, SpringSoft, SynCira, Synopsys, TSMC and Virage Logic. Mentor Graphics and Pulsic are supporting members.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with the software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Synopsys' comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification, IP, manufacturing and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions helps address the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield management, system-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These technology-leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing costs and schedule risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 60 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.

Synopsys and Galaxy Custom Designer are registered trademarks or trademarks of Synopsys, Inc. Any other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

   Editorial Contacts:

   Yvette Huygen
   Synopsys, Inc.
   650-584-4547
   yvetteh@synopsys.com

   Lisa Gillette-Martin
   MCA, Inc.
   650-968-8900 ext. 115
   lgmartin@mcapr.com

SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.

CONTACT: Yvette Huygen of Synopsys, Inc., +1-650-584-4547,
yvetteh@synopsys.com; or Lisa Gillette-Martin of MCA, Inc., +1-650-968-8900,
ext. 115, lgmartin@mcapr.com, for Synopsys, Inc.

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