News and New Products

Tool adds signal-integrity capabilities

By Gabe Moretti -- EDN, 7/10/2003

Signal integrity, which manifests itself as crosstalk, IR drop, and electromigration phenomena, is a major hurdle in the correct implementation of ICs at 130-nm and smaller process geometries. Designers cannot usually solve crosstalk problems during placement and routing. To correctly address these problems, designers must design with the goal of avoiding designing topologies that may create them. Synopsys has released a new version of its Galaxy Design Platform that incorporates the technology of its PrimeTime signal-integrity product, PrimeTime SI, a static-analysis tool that helps engineers to identify the signal-propagation delay due to crosstalk. The technology is now part of the five relevant products of the eight that make up the Galaxy platform.

JupiterXT floorplan compiler can place blocks and avoid topologies that can generate SI problems. Physical Compiler synthesis tool now considers signal-integrity issues when generating the gate representation of an RTL design. Synopsys also integrates the PrimeTime SI technology into the Astro-Xtalk and Astro-Rail tools from its acquisition of Avanti, and both are now parts of the Galaxy SI platform. Synopsys has also enhanced the Star-RCXT router to be SI-aware. Prices depend on the customer’s configuration.

Synopsys, 1-650-584-5000, www.synopsys.com.