Nassda and Virage Logic Partner to Optimize Verification of Embedded Memory
New Initiative Addresses Memory Timing and Power Analysis for System-on-Chip Designs
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002--Nassda(TM)
Corporation (Nasdaq:NSDA - News), a leader in full-chip circuit verification
and analysis, and Virage Logic Corporation (Nasdaq:VIRL - News), a global
leader in embedded memory intellectual property (IP), today announced
the integration of Nassda's HSIM(TM) timing, power and
signal-integrity analysis software into Virage Logic's Embed-It!(TM)
software, an embedded memory design platform. The solution accurately
provides the performance characteristics of memory IP needed by
System-on-Chip (SoC) designers, and thereby increases their confidence
in achieving first-time silicon success. Nassda is also a member of
Virage Logic's Memory Alliance Program.
With embedded memory increasingly dominating chip area, designers
developing chips for applications in high-end LAN/WAN, wireless,
networking, and portable digital electronics must accurately model the
performance and power of embedded memories used in the chip. Virage
Logic's Embed-It! memory compilation and characterization software,
together with Nassda's HSIM circuit simulator, produces embedded
memory IP that more closely reflects actual silicon. This simulation
and analysis helps designers to achieve their requirements for power
and timing performance of the chip.
"Design engineers can hardly keep up with the large number of
process choices from the different foundries," said Raymond Leung,
vice president of engineering at Virage Logic. "They need a way to
quickly and accurately characterize their new memory designs to insure
performance matches specification when a different process is used. By
working closely with Nassda, we have created a solution that
automatically and accurately measures memory performance and
characterizes design data."
Targeted for applications as varied as low-voltage, low-power
digital hearing aids to very high performance Internet routing and
search engines, Virage Logic embedded memories must meet widespread
customer requirements. In addition, the wide proliferation of process
variations from the different foundries has prompted a need for rapid
characterization, making accurate circuit simulation even more
critical. HSIM, integrated into Virage Logic's AutoChar(TM)
instance-based characterization product, provides rapid timing
characterization for process variations.
"As SoC designers increasingly use multiple embedded memories,
they need rigorous circuit simulation and analysis to see the impact
of different operating conditions on circuit performance," said Sang
Wang, CEO at Nassda. "By working closely with Virage Logic, the leader
in the development of embedded memory, we have created a solution that
enables designers to accurately characterize their memories across a
range of process, voltage, and temperature conditions. By taking into
account important post-layout effects, this analysis has increased
accuracy which helps designers achieve their timing and power budgets
for the entire chip."
About HSIM
HSIM provides detailed circuit-level analysis of timing and power
behavior and signal integrity effects. It solves the critical issue of
analyzing circuit behavior while taking into account the electrical
and parasitic effects of nanometer-scale silicon. Before the
availability of HSIM, design teams were unable to analyze these
effects with a tool that had the speed, accuracy and capacity needed
for full-chip verification.
About Virage
Logic Virage Logic (Nasdaq:VIRL - News) is a global technology and market
leader in embedded memory IP. To meet customer design goals with the
highest level of quality, Virage Logic embedded memories are
production tested, and optimized for area, power and speed. The
company's customers include ASIC/custom SoC designers, fabless
semiconductor companies targeting pure-play foundries, and
semiconductor companies. Founded in January 1996, the company has over
200 employees and is located at 46501 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, Calif.,
94538. Telephone: 877/360-6690 (toll free) or 510/360-8000. Fax:
510/360-8099. For more information, please visit
http://www.viragelogic.com.
About Nassda
Nassda Corporation (Nasdaq:NSDA - News) is a fast-growing provider of
full-chip circuit verification software for complex nanometer
semiconductors. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company
develops and markets simulation and analysis solutions for advanced
ICs, especially for analog, memory, and mixed-signal SoC designs.
Nassda's products enable first silicon success, and improve product
quality and production yield for its consumer, communication,
computer, and memory customers. The company has sales and distribution
offices throughout the world. For more information about Nassda,
please visit the company's website at http://www.nassda.com.
Note to Editors: Nassda and HSIM are registered trademarks of
Nassda Corporation. Embed-It! and AutoChar are trademarks of Virage
Logic Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their owners.
Contact:
Nassda Corporation
Graham Bell, 408/562-9168
gbell@nassda.com
or
Lee Public Relations
Barbara Marker, 503/209-2323
barbara@leepr.com
or
McClenahan Bruer
Jennifer Bader, 503/546-1014
jennifer@mcbru.com
or
Virage Logic Corp.
Dale Prull, 510/360-8095
dprull@viragelogic.com
