Week In Review: Design, Low Power

Synopsys completed its acquisition of MorethanIP, a provider of Ethernet Digital Controller IP supporting data rates from 10G to 800G. The acquisition adds MAC (Medium Access Controller) and PCS (Physical Coding Sublayer) for 200G/400G and 800G Ethernet to Synopsys’ portfolio. The company also provides Time-Sensitive Networking, Fibre Channel, and Ethernet Switching IP for integration into ASICs and FPGAs. MorethanIP was founded in 2000 and based in Karlsfeld, Germany. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Infineon added a new family of integrated power stage products based on gallium nitride, a wide-bandgap material. The IPS switches are aimed at low and medium power devices, such as chargers, adapters, and switched-mode power supplies.

Siemens Digital Industries Software rolled out a new version of its computational fluid dynamics software, which allows design engineers to utilize CFD simulation earlier in the design process. Heat has been one of the big challenges at advanced nodes and in advanced packages, and knowing how to dissipate that heat early in the design process is critical.

Cadence won recognition from Samsung for a 3nm test tapeout based on gate-all-around transistors. Samsung is the first out the door with nanosheet transistors. TSMC is expected to follow sometime in the next couple years.

Deals
The US Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY) inked an agreement with Flex Logix that allows use of EFLX eFPGA IP in GlobalFoundries’ 12nm process in any US Government program and activity. “The US Government is the third largest user of FPGAs. The license with Flex Logix opens up a wealth of opportunities for increased semiconductor trust and assurance through the manufacturing chain and provides upgradability to ASICs for lifelong programs,” said Jacqueline S. Janning-Lask, former Director of the Sensors Directorate.

Nanya Technology adopted Synopsys’ Custom Design Platform to aid the design of advanced memories for applications including mobile, automotive, consumer and industrial. Nanya said it replaced its existing memory design flow with the Synopsys solution to streamline their design process and improve overall productivity.

Infineon inked a deal with Japan’s Showa Denko K.K. for silicon carbide material and epitaxy. SiC is used for power supplies, charging infrastructure for automotive applications, and solar applications.

Numbers
Ansys reported first quarter 2021 financial results with revenue of $363.2 million, up 19% from the first quarter last year. Net income was $72.4 million, up from $46.0 million in the same period in 2020. “We are optimistic about the positive indicators we saw in Q1 and the strength of our current pipeline,” said Ansys CFO Nicole Anasenes. “We are raising our full year 2021 guidance across all guidance metrics: ACV, revenue, EPS and operating cash flow.”

Rambus reported first quarter 2021 financial results with revenue of $70.4 million, up $65.8 million last year. Revenue and earnings were at the high end of expectations, noted Rambus CEO Luc Seraphin. “Ongoing share gains for memory interface chips and strong demand in Cloud and other target markets are driving topline growth for the company.”

Xilinx reported fourth fiscal quarter and full fiscal year 2021 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $851 million, up 13% compared to the fourth fiscal quarter of last year. Net income was $188 million, compared with $162 million in the previous period. For the year, revenue was $3.15 billion, roughly flat from the previous year. “Record Q4 revenues were driven by strength in Wireless and Data Center markets, as well as record quarters for our Industrial and Automotive end markets, which resulted in 6% sequential and 13% year-over-year growth,” said Brice Hill, Xilinx’s CFO. “Advanced Products also grew 6% sequentially and represented 73% of total revenue. Top line performance drove fourth quarter free cash flows of $227 million, or 27% of revenue, reflecting our efficient financial model.”

Infineon reported revenue of €2.7 billion for its second fiscal quarter, ended March 31, up from €1.99 billion in the same period in 2020. Net income increased to €203 million, up from €178 million in 2020. While demand is strong, the company said revenue growth will continue to be limited by supply constraints this quarter. Nonetheless, the company posted an upbeat outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Intel said it would invest $600 million to expand its R&D in Israel, including $400 million in its Mobileye research for self-driving cars and another $200 million in its current R&D center in Haifa.

IBM unveiled the first 2nm chip, which it claims will have a four-day battery life and 45% higher performance than 7nm chips. IBM doesn’t actually manufacture advanced chips anymore, so it remains to be seen who will utilize this technology.

Events
Find a new conference or learning opportunity at our events page, or check out an upcoming webinar.

The 29th IEEE International Symposium On Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines will take place on May 9-12. The 2021 ESD Alliance CEO Outlook will take place May 18. The 2021 Embedded Vision Summit will be held May 25-28.