Synopsys and Achronix Announce Multi-Year Renewal of Synthesis Partnership

Achronix Speedster22i FPGAs, built on Intel 22-nm technology, deliver GHz performance with Synopsys Synplify Pro synthesis software

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 31, 2011  -- Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP used in the design, verification and manufacture of electronic components and systems, and Achronix Semiconductor, builder of high density and ultra-fast field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), today announced a multi-year extension of their OEM agreement for Synopsys FPGA synthesis tools. The agreement continues to make Synopsys' FPGA logic synthesis technology available to Achronix customers by expanding support of Synopsys' Synplify Pro® software to Achronix's latest generation of FPGAs, the 22 nanometer Speedster22i™ FPGA Platform. Achronix intends to deliver a Speedster22i FPGA-optimized version of Synplify Pro FPGA synthesis software to its customers as part of its Achronix CAD Environment (ACE) software package, to provide designers of these devices with high performance synthesis technology.

"Our ability to deliver the world's most advanced FPGAs built on Intel's 22 nanometer process technology depends on having best-in-class development tools," said Yousef Khalilollahi, vice president of marketing at Achronix Semiconductor. "With Synopsys' Synplify Pro synthesis tool as part of our ACE software development platform, we provide designers an optimized solution for taking maximum advantage of our FPGAs."

The version of Synplify Pro software optimized for Achronix FPGAs contains all the features of the standard version and continues to support the original Speedster® family of FPGAs. It is customized to support the innovative technologies of the Speedster22i Platform. Synplify Pro software allows FPGA designers to achieve aggressive timing goals more quickly than alternative tools due to its unique timing-driven approach to FPGA synthesis. In addition to new optimizations that take advantage of the advanced memory architecture in Speedster22i FPGAs, Synplify Pro software has also been customized with multi-processing for faster turnaround time for these higher capacity devices.

"Achronix provides FPGA solutions targeting high-density and high-performance applications, so it's a natural choice to match their silicon with synthesis tools designed to reach maximum clock speeds," said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for Solutions Group at Synopsys. "We have been working closely with Achronix to customize our Synplify Pro synthesis software to capitalize on the features of their new Speedster22i FPGAs. We believe that through this close collaboration, we offer our mutual customers the best environment for producing highly optimized, cost-effective FPGAs."

Availability

The beta version of the Achronix CAD Environment (ACE) with Synplify Pro software supporting Speedster22i is available now, with general availability anticipated in December 2011. Synplify Pro software support for Achronix Speedster devices is available now. All Synplify Pro software optimized for Achronix FPGAs is available directly from Achronix Semiconductor as part of the Achronix CAD Environment (ACE) software package.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with the software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing. Synopsys' comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification, IP, manufacturing and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions helps address the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield management, system-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These technology-leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing costs and schedule risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has approximately 70 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com.

About Achronix

Achronix Semiconductor is a privately held fabless corporation based in Santa Clara, California. Achronix builds the world's fastest field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) capable of up to 1.5 GHz peak performance. In addition, Achronix is the first FPGA provider building affordable high performance, high density, IP-rich FPGAs using Intel's 22-nm process technology. Achronix has sales offices and representatives in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea, and has research and design offices in Ithaca, N.Y., and Bangalore, India.