SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2010 — Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced that ACCO Semiconductor has selected a comprehensive suite of Agilent’s RFIC design, verification and modeling software for design of its next-generation CMOS power amplifier. This software, used for integrated, mixed-signal RFIC designs, coupled with Agilent’s unique wireless verification IP portfolio for design and test, enables a streamlined design flow that allows ACCO Semiconductor to quickly and effectively drive its design project from initial conception to final product.
“In today’s cellular marketplace, one of the most difficult jobs for an R&D manager is to navigate from product concept to finished product — a process which, to be successful, typically requires the application of multiple technologies and multiple design flows,” said Ron Das, president and CEO of ACCO Semiconductor. “The entire design chain must be coordinated or it will break, resulting in a missed deadline or market window, significant cost overruns, and lost business. The streamlined flow provided by Agilent’s EDA tools allows us to avoid these hardships and bring our product to market faster.”
A streamlined flow is critical to successful product development and key to eliminating the integration risks that can arise late in the development cycle. Agilent’s streamlined design and verification flow serves as a focal point for all teams involved in product development — including semiconductor modeling, system architecture, RF design, and prototype validation. It begins with active and passive modeling, using Agilent’s IC-CAP device modeling software and Momentum 3-D planar electromagnetic simulator. The flow then continues into system design using the leading-edge RFIC tools in Agilent’s GoldenGate software, along with Agilent’s wireless verification libraries. Common waveforms and data processing algorithms are used throughout design and measurement to ensure a coherent and efficient prototype verification process.
“Because Agilent is deeply committed to enabling its customers’ high-frequency design chain, we are very gratified to see our seamless design and validation flow benefitting ACCO Semiconductor,” said Jim McGillivary, vice president with Agilent’s EEsof EDA organization. “Our expertise in measurement, modeling and simulation, together with our strong on-site support, are essential to ensuring that accuracy is maintained throughout the design chain — both for ACCO Semiconductor and any other company developing solutions for today’s highly competitive cellular industry.”
About GoldenGate
GoldenGate is the most trusted simulation, verification and analysis solution available for integrated RF circuit design within the Cadence Virtuoso design flow. Its unique simulation algorithms are optimized for the challenging demands of today’s complex RF circuit design, enabling full characterization of complete transceivers prior to tape-out. GoldenGate is part of Agilent’s RFIC simulation, analysis and verification solution that also includes Momentum for 3-D planar electromagnetic simulation, Ptolemy Wireless Test Benches for system level verification, and the Advanced Design System (ADS) Data Display for advanced data analysis. This suite links the RF system, subsystem, and component-level design and analysis as part of a unique and comprehensive RFIC design flow. GoldenGate is fully compatible with Cadence IC5 and IC6 platforms.
For more information about Agilent’s GoldenGate, go to www.agilent.com/find/eesof-goldengate.
About Agilent EEsof EDA Software
Agilent EEsof EDA is the technology leader and industry’s leading supplier of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software for microwave, RF, high-frequency, high-speed, RF system, electronic system level (ESL), circuit, 3-D electromagnetic, physical design and device-modeling applications. Agilent EEsof EDA offers personal, value-priced products as well as enterprise-level solutions that save money, improve design flows and simplify EDA vendor relationships. Agilent EEsof EDA software is compatible with and is used to design the company’s test and measurement equipment. Additional information about all Agilent EDA software offerings is available at www.agilent.com/find/eesof.
About ACCO Semiconductor
ACCO is a fabless semiconductor developer of innovative CMOS RF solutions for the wireless industry. Based in both France and California, the company has a long history in delivering advanced radio solutions. ACCO is now developing groundbreaking wireless solutions that previously were not possible in CMOS technology.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 17,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $4.5 billion in fiscal 2009. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
