Synopsys Enhances Processor Designs with the RISC-V ARC-V Family Expansion

Synopsys Expands Processor IP Portfolio with RISC-V ARC-V Family

Synopsys has unveiled its plans to expand its portfolio of processor intellectual property (IP) with the introduction of the next-generation RISC-V ARC-V family. This innovative architecture is tailored for chip applications in the embedded automotive, storage, and Internet of Things (IoT) markets.

At the recent RISC-V North America 2023 event in Santa Clara, California, Synopsys highlighted that the new ARC-V processor IP aims to provide customers with a versatile range of processors designed for optimal power-performance efficiency tailored to their specific needs.

Diverse Solutions for Varied Workloads

The ARC-V processor IP offers a variety of chip designs, including high-performance, mid-range, ultra-low power, and functional safety versions—suitable for a wide range of application workloads. To streamline software development, Synopsys has integrated the reliable Synopsys MetaWare Development Toolkit with the ARC-V Processor IP, enabling the generation of highly efficient code.

Moreover, Synopsys.ai, an AI-driven electronic design automation (EDA) suite, is co-optimized with the ARC-V Processor IP, creating a robust development and verification environment that enhances productivity and quality for systems-on-chip (SoCs) based on ARC-V.

Transforming the Semiconductor Ecosystem

Historically, Synopsys focused on providing tools for chip design; however, the industry is evolving. With the automotive industry’s growing demand for resilience within the semiconductor ecosystem, there is an increasing shift towards open standards like RISC-V. This transition is supported by Synopsys’ commitment to safety-certified RISC-V-based processor IP for high-performance automotive systems.

Thomas Boehm, Senior Vice President for Automotive Microcontrollers at Infineon, emphasized the significance of open standards in building robust automotive solutions. “The growing number of chips in automotive systems necessitates resilience, and Synopsys’ development of safety-certified RISC-V based processor IP is crucial for expanding architecture choices while ensuring high-performance systems meet functional safety requirements,” he stated.

Calista Redmond, CEO of RISC-V International, expressed that “the global adoption of the open-standard RISC-V ISA is shaping the future of semiconductor design. Synopsys’ commitment to advancing RISC-V contributes to greater flexibility and choice in the ecosystem, benefiting chip design across various industries.”

Decades of Expertise in Chip Design

With decades of experience, Synopsys has delivered power-efficient and scalable ARC processors utilized in billions of SoCs across automotive, storage, consumer, and IoT applications. This expertise enables the company to support the RISC-V ISA with highly configurable and extensible processors that empower developers to optimize power, performance, and area balance in their SoCs.

Additionally, Synopsys provides a comprehensive range of tools and technologies to facilitate the design and verification of SoCs utilizing their RISC-V ARC-V Processor IP. This includes Synopsys.ai, Fusion QuickStart Implementation Kits, verification solutions, and a Cloud SaaS platform to streamline design processes.

To further solidify its role in shaping computing architecture standards, Synopsys has joined the RISC-V International board of directors and technical steering committee, demonstrating its commitment to promoting the industry adoption of the RISC-V ISA.

Expected Availability

The Synopsys ARC-V Processor IP portfolio is anticipated to be generally available in 2024. The 32-bit Synopsys ARC-V RMX embedded processor IP is set for release in Q2 of 2024, followed by the 32-bit Synopsys ARC-V RHX real-time processor IP and the 64-bit Synopsys ARC-V RPX host processor IP later in the year.