Metrics is a Canadian company offering a simulation as a service (SaaS) business model for semiconductor electronic functional simulation and design verification.
The Metrics digital simulator, DSim, when combined with Altair’s Silicon Debug Tools, will be able to deliver an advanced simulation environment with enhanced simulation and debug capabilities in the EDA and semiconductor space.
According to Altair, the cloud-based business model has the potential to transform the semiconductor space by making high calibre EDA design tools much more affordable and accessible for companies looking to aggressively scale out simulations to accelerate design cycles.
Today, integrated circuit (IC) design verification has high licensing costs and may require hundreds and sometimes thousands of seats to run a single chip simulation. Additionally, these tools run on desktop machines, and are not typically cloud-native or cloud-enabled.
The Altair and Metrics solution delivers the flexibility to run as a desktop app, on a user’s own server, or in the cloud and can run very large regressions with the customer paying only for what they use. It supports System Verilog and VHDL RTL for digital circuits targeting application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
Because of this, simulations can be run concurrently and at scale, removing massive amounts of time and costs from the traditional design cycle.
“By combining our best-in-class software with Metrics’ cloud-based simulation as a service, we are excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to our EDA and semiconductor customers,” said James R. Scapa, founder and chief executive officer, Altair. “Altair is unique in our ability to merge simulation with industry-leading workload and workflow optimisation technology, serving as a true partner for companies embracing innovative tools and resource delivery models in this highly specialised and high-stakes industry. Customers now have a choice in design verification.”
DSim will be available through Altair One, Altair’s cloud innovation gateway, where it will also be available for desktop download.
DSim is fully featured and optimised for speed, capacity and accuracy, providing customers with digital simulation, visualisation, and circuit debug technology, which enables them to quickly track down design problems and move the most complex devices into production earlier and with a higher degree of confidence.
Commenting Joe Costello, executive chairman, Metrics said that joining Altair would allow the company to grow and provide an alternative option to engineers, “looking for a flexible, modern, accurate, and fast design verification solution that is truly scalable.”
