( ESNUG 246 Item 7 ) ---------------------------------------------- [8/8/96]
From: Stephen Pollmann <spollman@tst.com>
Subject: HDL Sign-off & 3rd Parties Using Synopsys For Non-Synopsys Customers
John, the company I work for is small, so Paying 100K+ for a DC Expert, an
HDL Compiler, an Analyzer plus Maintenance is a major investment. We were
considering an HDL hand off and let the ASIC Vendor do the synthesis and
Layout (including P&R). Synopsys came in and told me that the only company
that is allowed to use their tool for HDL hand-off is Symbios Logic. Is this
true to your knowledge ? (For instance, I have heard that some Silicon
Vendors provide a design center that allows you to come in use their tool
set, which may or may not include Synopsys. Also, I have heard of consulting
firms that will come into a company that has not purchased Synopsys, take
over the HDL code that has been developed and synthesize it using Synopsys.
This sounds like the same thing as an HDL hand off to me!) Synopsys says
that a customer that purchases the Synopsys synthesis tools must output
only HDL (no gates) otherwise they are breaking the licenses agreement.
I also heard that LSI supposedly used Synopsys to develope some of their
cores and sell the cores to customers that use their FAB. Synopsys says
this is unethical. What are your feelings on these issues ?
- Steve Pollmann
Torrey Science & Technology Corp.
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