Altair will be able to deliver a flexible and scalable cloud -based solution with the latest acquisition and integration in the EDA and chip sector.
Altair is set to acquire Canadian design automation simulation-as-a-service (SaaS) provider Metrics Design Automation. By acquiring all of Metrics’ outstanding capital stock, Altair intends to combine its software capabilities with the latter’s cloud-based simulation tools.
Metrics’ digital simulator, DSim, will be integrated with Altair’s Silicon Debug Tools to create an affordable cloud-based simulation solution with debug capabilities in the EDA and semiconductor space. DSim will be available through Altair One, Altair’s cloud innovation gateway, and for desktop download.
James R. Scapa, founder and CEO of Altair, emphasised the transformative potential of the combined technologies, “Altair now provides a choice in design verification due to its ability to merge simulation with leading workload and workflow optimisation technology, for companies adopting innovative tools and resource delivery models.”
The solution is designed to run on desktops, private servers, or in the cloud, supporting large-scale regressions with a pay-as-you-use model. This flexibility reduces the traditionally high licensing costs and the need for numerous seats to run single-chip simulations. DSim supports System Verilog and VHDL RTL for digital circuits targeting ASICs and FPGAs, enabling concurrent and scalable simulations that reduce design cycle time and costs.
Joe Costello, Executive Chairman of Metrics, expressed his delight about the merger, “Joining Altair will allow us to grow and provide an alternative option – whether on desktop, on your servers, or in the cloud – to engineers looking for a flexible, modern, accurate, and fast design verification solution that is truly scalable.”
Costello, a prominent figure in the EDA industry and former President of Cadence Design Systems, brings a wealth of experience. Under his leadership, Cadence was the first EDA company to surpass $1 billion in annual revenues. In 2004, he received the Phil Kaufman Award for his significant contributions to the EDA industry.
Altair believes this acquisition will make high-calibre EDA design tools more accessible, allowing companies to scale simulations and accelerate design cycles effectively.
