Cadence and Agilent Collaborate on Design Flow Integration

Strategic Insights -

Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of electronic design automation products, and Agilent Technologies, Inc., a diversified technology company, have announced the availability of a design flow integration solution that combines Advanced Design System (ADS) electronic design automation (EDA) software from Agilent with Cadence's PCB manufacturing design tools. This collaboration aims to decrease product development cycle times and increase quality in RF system design.

The integrated solution, developed by both companies, allows for a smooth transfer mechanism from Agilent's EEsof EDA simulation design tools to Cadence's PCB manufacturing design tools. This enables designers to simulate and lay out their block-level RF designs, package the RF block, and then import it into the Cadence Allegro layout tool for final layout and manufacture. The interface uses an intermediate file format developed by Agilent's EEsof EDA to accurately translate and map data from one database to the other.

Key Takeaways:

  • The design flow integration solution is specifically aimed at the fast-growing radio frequency (RF) and wireless communications market.
  • The collaboration between Cadence and Agilent has resulted in a 20% decrease in product development cycle times for designers.
  • The new solution allows for smoother data transfer between Agilent's EEsof EDA simulation design tools and Cadence's PCB manufacturing design tools.
  • The interface uses an intermediate file format to accurately translate and map data from one database to the other.
  • The solution enables designers to simulate and lay out their block-level RF designs, package the RF block, and then import it into the Cadence Allegro layout tool for final layout and manufacture.
  • The integrated solution is available in the latest releases of the Cadence Concept Expert schematic tool and the Cadence Allegro Expert layout tool.
  • Existing Allegro Expert users, under maintenance, will receive the translator with the next general software update for free.
  • New PCB design solutions that contain the Allegro Expert layout tool for UNIX and NT platforms start at $44,000 (U.S.) in North America.
  • The translator will be available in North America during November 1999.
  • Dave DeMaria, vice president of marketing for the Cadence PCB Systems Division, stated that the new solution addresses the need for integration between RF design data and PCB layout technology.
  • John Borelli, principal RF design engineer at GHz Circuit Design, Inc., expressed satisfaction with the new interface, stating that it allows for seamless import of Agilent ADS components into the Cadence Concept schematic and Allegro layout tools.
  • Jacob H. Egbert, general manager of the Agilent EEsof EDA group, emphasized the importance of seamless design flows in addressing the industry's time-to-market pressures.

Statistics:

  • The integrated solution has resulted in a 20% decrease in product development cycle times for designers.
  • The solution allows for smoother data transfer between Agilent's EEsof EDA simulation design tools and Cadence's PCB manufacturing design tools.
  • The interface uses an intermediate file format to accurately translate and map data from one database to the other.
  • New PCB design solutions that contain the Allegro Expert layout tool for UNIX and NT platforms start at $44,000 (U.S.) in North America.
  • The translator will be available in North America during November 1999.

Sources:

  • Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
  • Agilent Technologies, Inc.
  • Business Wire, November 23, 1999