Cadence Encounter RTL-to-GDSII Flow Enables Sharp to Achieve 2X Improvement in Turnaround Time

Sharp Enhances Efficiencies and Design Quality in Development of CMOS Image Sensor

SAN JOSE, Calif., 17 Jul 2012 - Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), a leader in global electronic design innovation, announced today that Sharp Corp. has adopted the Cadence® Encounter® RTL-to-GDSII flow to develop its CMOS image sensors, resulting in a 2X faster turnaround time over its previous digital flow. In addition to speeding time to market, Sharp reported higher quality of results in timing, area and productivity.

“Once we switched to the Cadence Encounter RTL-to-GDSII flow, we saw dramatic improvements in turnaround time and better quality designs,” said Naoya Fujita, division deputy general manager and department general manager of the Product Planning Department, Sensing Device Division in Sharp’s Electronic Components and Devices Group. “We exceeded our design requirements and expectations, and look forward to continued collaboration with Cadence to meet the growing demand for high-quality CMOS images sensors.”

Sharp’s adoption of the integrated Cadence RTL-to-GDSII flow included standardizing on Encounter RTL Compiler, Encounter Conformal Equivalence Checker, Encounter Digital Implementation, and Encounter Test.

Among the benefits Sharp cited were better congestion handling and faster timing convergence than with its previous methodology.

“Cadence is committed to continue advancing digital design and implementation,” said Dr. Chi-Ping Hsu, senior vice president, Silicon Realization Group at Cadence. “We worked closely with the Sharp design team to demonstrate how our technology-leading Encounter RTL-to-GDSII flow can help them achieve and exceed their targets in the highly competitive arena of CMOS image sensors. Through collaboration and technology investment, we are able to help companies like Sharp achieve the highest possible quality of silicon and significantly faster time to market.”

About Cadence

Cadence enables global electronic design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software, hardware, IP, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available at www.cadence.com.