SpringSoft Validates Full Interoperability of Custom Chip Design Solutions with STARC 90nm iPDK

Hsinchu, Taiwan, August 2, 2010— SpringSoft, Inc. (TAIEX: 2473), a global supplier of specialized IC design software, is among the first to complete the validation of the Japanese Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center’s (STARC) 90nm mixed-signal reference iPDK with the SpringSoft Laker™ Custom Layout Automation System. This validation demonstrates interoperability within the STARCAD – AMS (Analog Mixed-Signal) Design Flow to ensure consistent results between IPL compliant OpenAccess (OA) tools.   The news was first announced at the IPL Luncheon at this year’s Design Automation Conference (DAC) in Anaheim by Mr. Kunihiko Tsuboi, Senior Manager of the Mixed Signal Design Group at STARC.

“Creating the most open, interoperable layout environment is of critical importance for helping to foster our customers’ innovations,” said Duncan McDonald, product marketing director for Laker Physical Design at SpringSoft. “Having our Laker layout system integrated with STARC’s latest iPDK embodies that sentiment and will further help to make it easier for our customers in Japan to develop highly differentiated products faster.”   

Both SpringSoft and STARC are members of the Interoperable PDK Libraries Alliance (IPL) and are committed to interoperability and an open design community, enabling innovation in the custom chip market through greater manufacturing flexibility, more technology choice, and improved design productivity.  The move toward the development and validation of the STARC iPDK is aimed at accelerating the adoption of iPDKs in Japan.

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.

About STARC

The Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center, STARC, is a research consortium co-founded by major Japanese semiconductor companies in December 1995. STARC's mission is to contribute the growth of the Japanese semiconductor industry by developing leading-edge SoC design technologies.  Since its inception, STARC has collaborated with universities to expand the semiconductor research infrastructure at Japanese universities; arranged system-on-chip (SoC) design seminars through cooperation between industry and academia to train specialized chip architects; and collectively worked with client companies to develop a suite of technology enablers in order to address design difficulties compounded by shrinking process geometries.  For more information, visit www.starc.jp.