Synopsys invests in accelerator provider Tharas

Synopsys Inc. has joined with NeoCarta Ventures to provide $4 million in venture funding for Tharas Systems, a provider of simulation accelerators. Tharas provides Hammer, a mixed-language acceleration solution that promises fast compilation and run times.

Synopsys has invested in other niche EDA companies in the past. Manoj Gandhi, SVP and general manager at Synopsys' verification group, noted that Tharas' Hammer already works with Synopsys' VCS Verilog simulator, and he said that Synopsys will now work with Tharas to extend this flow to support SystemVerilog.

Tharas claims that Hammer runs up to 10,000 times faster than software simulators, and can compile up to 50 million RTL gates per hour, while providing debugging capabilities similar to that of software simulators. Current versions support designs of up to 128 million gates. Hammer is sold and serviced through a network of direct sales and distributors.

Tharas plans to use the funds for development of its next-generation Hammer, and to expand its worldwide sales and support channels. With the investment, Andre Turenne, managing director of NeoCarta Ventures, joins Tharas' board of directors.

- Richard Goering

EE Times