Intel and Synopsys team up to revolutionize chip development
- The partnership aims to enhance chip development capabilities with a focus on Intel's 18A and 18A-P process technologies.
- Synopsys has certified EDA flows and offers a variety of silicon-proven IP to accelerate chip design.
- The collaboration signifies a strategic move to ensure U.S. semiconductor manufacturing can meet future demands.
In the United States, Synopsys and Intel Foundry announced an expanded partnership aimed at enhancing chip development on Intel's 18A and 18A-P process technologies. This joint effort signifies the increasing significance of ecosystem collaboration in semiconductor design, facilitated under the leadership of Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The collaboration aims to provide a competitive design infrastructure that leverages advanced technologies to improve chip performance and power efficiency. The partnership focuses on delivering production-ready digital and analog electronic design automation (EDA) flows, which have been certified for the Intel 18A process node. For customers looking to manage risks and reduce timelines during development, having validated tools and silicon-proven intellectual property (IP) is critical. Additionally, this collaboration extends to advanced packaging technologies, such as the Embedded Multi-die Interconnect Bridge Technology (EMIB-T), which allows for high-bandwidth integration across multiple dies within a single chip package. Looking ahead, the two companies are also beginning early design enablement efforts for Intel’s upcoming 14A-E node, projected to offer better performance per watt than its predecessor. By establishing design infrastructure early on, they aim to ensure readiness for commercial release, anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027. This forward-thinking strategy highlights the importance of addressing challenges in modern chip development through collaborative efforts within the ecosystem. This broader industry context illustrates how critical partnerships are becoming in the semiconductor landscape, especially with the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains and manufacturing capabilities. By working closely together, Intel and Synopsys are positioning themselves to strengthen domestic manufacturing in the U.S. and mitigate risks associated with dependencies on overseas production facilities.