Synopsys launches new RISC-V processor series, further expanding ARC processor IP portfolio

Next-generation ARC-V processor for automotive embedded software, storage and IoT applications

Summary :

• Synopsys' new 32-bit and 64-bit ARC-V processor IP is built on its decades of processor development experience, providing developers with a wider choice of RISC-V IP;

• The proven and mature Synopsys MetaWare software development tool chain can help software engineers efficiently develop highly optimized software code based on Synopsys ARC-V processor IP;

• Synopsys.ai's full-stack AI-driven EDA solution and Fusion Quick Start Design Implementation Kit (QIK) improve the productivity and quality of results (QoR) of Synopsys ARC-V processor IP designs;

• Synopsys verification solutions, including hardware-assisted verification and virtual prototyping, accelerate verification, debugging and software development cycles.

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Sunnyvale, Calif., November 10 , 2023 – Synopsys , Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS ) recently announced the expansion of its ARC® ^processor IP portfolio with the launch of new RISC-V ARC-V™ processor IP provides customers with a range of flexible and scalable processor options to help them achieve industry-leading power performance efficiency for their target applications. Synopsys has successfully developed this new ARC-V processor IP based on its decades of experience in processor IP and software development tool chains. The IP builds on the proven microarchitecture of Synopsys' existing ARC processors and will benefit from the continued expansion of the RISC-V software ecosystem.

Synopsys ARC-V processor IP offers high-performance, midrange, and ultra-low-power options as well as corresponding functional safety versions to meet the needs of a wide range of workloads. To accelerate software development, Synopsys ARC-V processor IP is also paired with the powerful and proven MetaWare development toolkit to generate efficient code. In addition, Synopsys.ai™ full-stack AI-driven EDA solution and ARC-V processor IP can be co-optimized, providing an out-of-the-box development and verification environment, helping to improve ARC-V-based systems on a chip ( SoC) productivity and quality of results (QoR).

Thomas Boehm, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Automotive Microcontroller Product Line at Infineon Technologies, said: “The increasing number of chips in automotive systems requires better flexibility in the semiconductor ecosystem, for which the industry is promoting the adoption of RISC-V and others. Open Standards. We look forward to continuing our work with Synopsys by developing safety-certified RISC-V processor IP that enables us to expand our architectural options and use open standards to build high-performance autonomous driving systems with high levels of functional safety. Collaborate to create products for the future.”

Calista Redmond, CEO of RISC-V International, said: "The open standard RISC-V ISA is widely adopted around the world and continues to define the future of semiconductor design. It is through the commitment and actions of the world's leading technology innovation companies such as Synopsys that RISC -V will drive the future of accelerated computing. Synopsys ARC-V processor IP and its co-optimized EDA and verification solutions will help increase the flexibility and choice of the RISC-V ecosystem and enable various industries. The industry’s chip design will benefit widely.”

Leading processor IP development for decades and continuing to meet market segment needs

Synopsys has delivered multiple generations of energy-efficient, highly scalable ARC processors used in billions of automotive, storage, consumer and IoT SoCs. Synopsys continues to expand its product portfolio to support the RISC-V ISA based on its leadership in the development, delivery and support of commercial processor IP. Through ARC-V IP, Synopsys provides highly configurable and scalable processors to help developers design differentiated SoCs and optimize industry-leading power, performance, and area (PPA) balance.

John Koeter, senior vice president of IP marketing and strategy at Synopsys, said: "More developers are demanding greater design flexibility and more choices, and RISC-V processors are becoming increasingly popular as a result. Synopsys In line with this market trend, the newly upgraded ARC processor IP portfolio provides our customers with a wider range of choices and is based on the proven and scalable RISC-V ISA to help them cope with different workload needs."

Synopsys ARC-V Functional Safety (FS) processor IP integrates hardware safety functions to detect system failures, supports ASIL B and ASIL D safety levels, and accelerates ISO 26262 functional safety certification and ISO 21434 automotive cybersecurity Certification. ARC-V FS processor IP is developed based on Synopsys' ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) to help developers meet challenging ASIL D system development standards. In addition, the MetaWare Security Development Kit can help software developers accelerate the development of code that complies with the ISO 26262 standard.

Synopsys ARC -V SoC Design and Comprehensive Verification Solutions Portfolio

Synopsys offers a broad range of world-leading tools and technologies to accelerate SoC design and verification using RISC-V ARC-V processor IP, including:

• Synopsys.ai's full-stack AI-driven EDA solution uses the power of AI to optimize power consumption, performance and area (PPA) and shorten time to market from system architecture to design and manufacturing;

• Synopsys Fusion Quick Start Implementation Kit provides scripts, reference guides, and baseline layout planning to help customers maximize PPA based on ARC-V designs;

• Synopsys verification solutions include architectural design for system-level analysis and power consumption and performance optimization, virtual prototypes based on Synopsys ARC-V model, hardware-assisted verification, and verification IP for accelerated verification and software development;

• Synopsys' cloud SaaS platform provides browser-based access to unlimited EDA licenses and pre-optimized computing resource permissions. Help developers deliver higher quality chips ahead of time.

At the same time, Synopsys also announced that it will join the RISC-V International board of directors and technical steering committee to support the industry's adoption of the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) and participate in the formulation of future computing architecture standards.

Listing resources

Synopsys' ARC-V processor IP portfolio has received widespread industry support and is expected to be generally available starting in 2024. The 32-bit Synopsys ARC-V RMX embedded processor IP is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2024. The 32-bit Synopsys ARC-V RHX real-time processor IP and the 64-bit Synopsys ARC-V RPX host processor IP are scheduled to be available in the second half of 2024.