SpringSoft and TSMC Commence Joint Development of Multi-Node Process Design Kit Portfolio

- SpringSoft, Inc. (TAIEX: 2473), a global supplier of specialized IC design software, today announced a multi-year technology agreement with TSMC to jointly develop and validate process design kits (PDKs) for leading-edge chip manufacturing technologies. The collaboration between the two companies is driven by customer demand for SpringSoft PDKs and their mutual support of interoperable PDKs as the long-term goal for providing custom chip designers with the ultimate in manufacturing flexibility, technology choice, and design productivity.

Initial efforts are focused on development of TMSC-qualified PDKs to support the high performance and low power requirements of designers using SpringSoft’s Laker™ custom IC design software at the 90-nanometer (nm), 65nm, and 45nm nodes. The first deliverable is the SpringSoft Laker 65nm CMOS PDK for digital, mixed-signal, and RF processes. This foundry-certified PDK enables Laker users to maximize productivity, reduce development cycles, and achieve first-pass silicon success. In addition, SpringSoft is working with TSMC to co-develop interoperable PDKs to provide even greater design flexibility, interoperability, and productivity.

“PDKs are an important part of the IC development ecosystem, particularly for custom chip designers that need the higher performance, power optimization, and scalability of leading-edge manufacturing technologies,” said ST Juang, senior director of design infrastructure marketing at TSMC. “Our collaboration with SpringSoft reinforces our industry-leading drive toward interoperable PDKs as the preferred long-term solution. It also ensures that more designers can utilize the full range of our advanced processes today with access to fully-qualified Laker PDKs in order to meet their more immediate needs. ”

“It takes more than advanced design automation to realize leading-edge chip designs. Designers need timely access to the latest, most accurate information for chip manufacturing technologies, so they can produce designs that offer less risk and yield predictable results,” said Johnson Teng, chief operating officer of SpringSoft. “Interoperable PDKs and foundry-certified PDKs are both critical to the success of custom chip development. We are very pleased to be working with TSMC in support of our common goals, and are confident that the rapid completion of our first joint development milestone is the beginning of a successful, long-term relationship.”

Available Now

The SpringSoft Laker 65nm CMOS PDK is immediately available. This first jointly developed foundry-certified PDK supports the popular TSMC 65nm CMOS logic, mixed-signal, and RF process for general purpose and low power designs. It includes highly optimized parameterized cells (Pcells) with pre-validated design rules and the latest technology files. The SpringSoft Laker 65nm CMOS PDK can be accessed online by TSMC customers.

About Laker Custom IC Design

The Laker Custom IC Design solutions offer the power of controllable automation and unmatched interoperability to achieve superior layout results with less effort for analog, mixed-signal, and custom digital designs. More than 300 companies worldwide, including 7 of the top 10 semiconductor companies, have adopted the Laker layout system for designs down to 45 nanometers. For more information about Laker products, visit: http://www.springsoft.com/products.

About SpringSoft

SpringSoft, Inc. is a global supplier of specialized automation technologies that accelerate engineers during the design, verification and debug of complex digital, analog and mixed-signal ICs, ASICs, microprocessors, and SoCs. Its award-winning product portfolio features the Novas Verification Enhancement and Laker Custom IC Design solutions used by more than 400 of today's leading IDM and fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, and electronic systems OEMs. Headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and San Jose, California, SpringSoft is the largest company in Asia specializing in IC design software and a recognized industry leader in customer service with more than 400 employees located in multiple R&D sites and local support offices around the world. For more information, visit www.springsoft.com.