5 Ways FlexEDA with SaaS Model Transforms Chip Design

Introducing the FlexEDA Model

The core tenet of the FlexEDA model is unlimited EDA license availability with true pay-per-use on a per-minute basis. Chip designers design, schedule, and run a specific EDA job based on where they are in the design cycle and their power, performance, and area (PPA) goals. Synopsys Cloud will automatically scale the EDA software based on the elastic cloud scale infrastructure enabled by the designer for this specific job.

To enable this model, Synopsys Cloud leverages the following architectural elements:

• Patent-pending metering technology developed by Synopsys to enable unlimited on-demand EDA tool availability without changing the EDA software code.
• Pre-optimized compute for each type of EDA workload. We tested and benchmarked hundreds of compute virtual machines available in the public cloud to enable a small subset optimized for specific EDA workloads.
• Deep integration with the cloud stack to leverage auto-scaling, fault-tolerance, and metering capabilities of the cloud.
• Browser-based access for end-to-end EDA workload needs. This requires advanced scheduling, virtual desktop, and project and user management capabilities which are native to the platform.
• In-depth security that elevates the cloud service provider's shared responsibility model to ensure customer data is secured at all levels with an architecture that fully integrates with all security controls.
• Ability to leverage FlexEDA in a bring-your-own-cloud (BYOC) deployment model for customers who prefer to run and manage their own public cloud environment.

Why FlexEDA Is Transformational

Considering the constraints under which traditional EDA workloads operate, the FlexEDA model presents a breath of fresh air for five key reasons:

1. Focus on Time-to-Results, Not License Count

Whether designers are looking to catch up on an extended project schedule with peak workload demands, or trying to push a new design out faster to meet market needs, the FlexEDA model provides the framework to focus on time-to-market with no software license or compute infrastructure constraints. The fact that you can pay by the minute based on actual usage frees you to re-think what is possible in a potentially much shorter time span.

2. Reimagine EDA Project Schedules

Until now, typical EDA project and budget planning was highly dependent on the time each particular task needed to complete because of capacity and license limitations. With the FlexEDA model, you can start thinking about scheduling your projects differently. Since Synopsys Cloud unshackles all capacity constraints, projects can be broken into faster cycles with more time spent on innovating and less on scheduling serial regressions.

3. Leverage Simplified EDA Software Licensing

With the FlexEDA model, we have tried to simplify EDA licensing drastically. We have reduced the overall complexity of the licensing model across our product portfolio and streamlined our packaging tiers. For example, when running verification for RTL and gate-level simulations, VCS feature packages are simplified to enable more efficient metering in the cloud. Similarly, library characterization jobs are metered by the minute to enable designers to run large volumes of characterization requests in short bursts.

4. Start Small and Grow as You Need

The FlexEDA model does not impose minimum spend thresholds or any other limitations on how big a cloud engagement needs to be. Start small if you're testing a tool, trying out cloud use models or simply offloading peak needs to the cloud. Grow as you need, on demand, once you're comfortable with the environment and the user experience.

5. Leverage a Start-Up Friendly EDA SaaS Environment

For smaller organizations and start-ups, Synopsys Cloud streamlines the entire chip design lifecycle. You can get access to advanced infrastructure, cloud-optimized EDA tools, and pre-defined and standardized flows, all in one simple package enabled through a browser-based experience.