Date: 11/10/2010

Synopsys buys Optical Research Associates

Synopsys has acquired Optical Research Associates (ORA), a privately held optical design software and optical engineering services company. It is reported that this acquisition represents Synopsys' initial move into this space and aligns with the company's strategy to expand its total addressable market into areas that are naturally adjacent to traditional electronic design automation (EDA).

The ORA software used to design applications that require light to be controlled or manipulated. The ORA software allows the designers to design systems found in products such as cameras, telescopes, semiconductor lithography equipment, projectors, laptop displays, automotive lighting, and solid state lighting using LEDs.

"Optical design is a logical adjacency for Synopsys. The analysis and optimization of optical systems involves the same level of algorithmic and software engineering expertise Synopsys is known to provide," said Howard Ko, senior vice president and general manager of Synopsys' silicon engineering group. "Not only do our companies offer complementary technology and a shared vision, we both have cultures committed to technical excellence and leadership. We believe that together we can provide substantial value to ORA's current customers as well as to growing and emerging markets in solid state lighting and LEDs."