Cadence Design Systems has acquired Altos Design Automation, a specialist in enabling foundation IP development for the delivery of complex SoCs at advanced nodes. Shrinking process geometries increase process variations and make creation of accurate noise, power and timing models for foundation IP very complex given smaller time-to-market windows. Altos tools enable fast and accurate characterization of memory, standard cell libraries and other foundation IP, generating required models for SoC implementation.

When combined with the Cadence end-to-end Silicon Realization portfolio, the offering gives customers greater visibility into the effects of noise, timing and power at every phase of the design cycle, including foundation IP design creation, extraction, SPICE simulation, and implementation. The acquisition is another important step in delivering on the company's EDA360 vision.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.