DSP design tools integrate with RF flow: News from CoWare

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CoWare's SPW digital signal processing (DSP) application design tool is an integral part of the new Cadence package for RF designers built on its leading Virtuoso custom design platform. The tight technology integration enables wireless product design teams to dramatically reduce schedule risk through an evolutionary change of their methodology. 'Teamed with CoWare to leverage their SPW tool and SystemC expertise, we can overcome a large hurdle in wireless design', said Kelly Perey, Vice President of Marketing, Cadence Design Systems.

'The gap between system specification and IC implementation often leads to design failure'.

'Our partnership provides advanced capabilities to bridge this gap for wireless product teams'.

'SPW is always used for resolution of the toughest design problems', said Dr Johannes Stahl, Director of Marketing, CoWare.

'Teaming up with the leader in RF/analogue custom design solutions is the natural step to accomplish the system-to-IC flow which delivers the time-to-market advantage for our advanced customers'.

SPW reference models have been instrumental in the successful tapeout of thousands of wireless designs to-date.

The new flow enables broader reuse of the reference models for the RF and analogue designer's benefit.

By using SPW reference models throughout different design domains, wireless design teams can dramatically increase design efficiency and reduce risk.

Starting from the SPW front end, users can select the parts of the system that are used as the reference or testbench, and mark them for export.

SPW automatically creates an optimised simulation model with interfaces based on SystemC signals and data types.

SPW was enhanced with technology from the CoWare ConvergenSC platform design tool, building on CoWare's leadership in SystemC.

Cadence's Virtuoso platform leverages the same SystemC technology based on the Cadence/CoWare technology alliance, readily importing the newly created SPW model.

RF designers do not need to be familiar with SPW to benefit from the new flow.

SPW - the DSP Workbench - is the strongest solution for wireless design in areas such as ultrawideband (UWB) - with support for proposals from both the UWBForum and MBOA - and wireless LAN (802.11 b/g/a and upcoming n), as well as all relevant 3G standards, by providing fast simulation technology and libraries.

The SPW simulation engine has been proven to be more than 10 times faster than competitors' products, and it can handle extremely complex designs, since it is optimised for simulation speed rather than interpretive exploration.

Its automatic scheduling is proven for designs of more than 1000 blocks, making it far more robust than manual scheduling using proprietary C-models.

CoWare SPW 4.85 is available today.

Existing customers under maintenance receive the interface at no additional charge.

Methodology introduction for advanced wireless design teams is available as a CoWare services engagement.

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