Synopsys acquires nSys Design Systems

Posted by Courtney E. Howard

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., 3 Sept. 2011. Synopsys Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), a provider of software and IP employed in the design, verification, and manufacture of electronic components and systems, has acquired nSys Design Systems Private Limited (nSys), an independent provider of verification IP (VIP). With this acquisition, Synopsys officials intend to help designers address verification challenges as they create increasingly complex systems on chip (SoC) components used in smart electronics. Synopsys has acquired substantially all the assets and employees of nSys in the transaction.

"Addressing the growing SoC design and verification challenge is a key focus for Synopsys," says Manoj Gandhi, senior vice president and general manager of Synopsys' Verification Group. "With leading SoC designs deploying more complex protocols, VIP is becoming a critical component of the verification environment. Having the nSys team join our current VIP R&D team will help Synopsys accelerate and drive the next level of innovation in VIP technology."

Verification engineers use VIP functional models of on- and off-chip protocols to test all the interfaces on an SoC prior to manufacturing, ensuring each interface conforms to published standards. Engineers can also verify the interactions among various interfaces on an SoC.

The company’s expanded VIP portfolio will cover widely used interface protocols and many emerging titles, as well as include a new protocol compliance test-suite product line. VMM (verification methodology manual), OVM (open verification methodology), and UVM (universal verification methodology) are supported.