Date: 30/09/2011

Synopsys to distribute ARM's Fast Models for processors

Synopsys, Inc. and ARM has announced a licensing agreement enabling Synopsys to distribute ARM's Fast Models and create models of ARM Cortex Series processors. Designers will be able to accelerate embedded software development for ARM technology-based designs by up to nine months by creating virtual prototypes using ARM models with Synopsys' DesignWare TLM, SystemC TLM Libraries and Virtualizer tool set. ARM Fast Models and other ARM transaction-level models (TLMs) are listed on the newly launched TLMCentral web portal.

"The combination of ARM Fast Models, ARM software tools and Synopsys' solution for virtual prototyping delivers a powerful capability to developers of ARM technology-based SoCs," said John Cornish, Executive Vice President, System Design Division, ARM. "Synopsys' ability to integrate ARM Fast Models has already provided great benefits to ARM partners who use Synopsys' technology to accelerate software development. The new agreement includes the latest generation of ARM and Synopsys products, and enhances hardware/software performance validation for joint customers."

According to Synopsys, this agreement allows Synopsys to distribute ARM Fast Models of Cortex processors that ARM has validated against its processor validation suite. This includes modeling of advanced ARM technologies, such as TrustZone and Vector Floating Point (VFP). This virtual prototype enables embedded designers to develop software design before 12 months due to early availability of first silicon.

Synopsys says its offerings are faster than RTL simulation or emulation. Synopsys-developed fast-timed models offer the timing accuracy needed for comprehensive system performance optimization. They also support speeds suitable for executing complex software applications, including those that run on multicore platforms.

"SoC designers are increasingly turning to multicore implementations to meet their performance objectives, which makes developing and testing software a more complex, effort-intensive task," said Joachim Kunkel, senior vice president and general manager for IP & systems at Synopsys. "This agreement with ARM immediately extends our solution for fast and accurate system-level simulation, making Synopsys the leading supplier of virtual prototyping tools, models and services for the latest generation of ARM technology-based designs. This offering enables our mutual customers to start software development earlier and dramatically boost their design productivity."

Availability: The ARM Fast Models for Cortex processors are available now from Synopsys.

For more information visit: www.synopsys.com