Aerospace & Government Solutions

Solutions for Automating Mission-Critical Development​

Synopsys enables Aerospace and Defense companies to build and deploy advanced systems that exceed mission requirements and address challenging application demands, including security, safety, longevity and reliability in harsh environments with low size, weight and power (SWaP) from sea to space. Synopsys is a US DoD trusted design service supplier through our subsidiary FirstPass Engineering.


Key Benefits

Better QoR & Faster Development

Comprehensive solutions for silicon, chiplets, FPGAs, radiation modeling, optics, photonics, and software with AI optimization  

DMEA Accredited Services

US DoD trusted development for silicon design services ranging from architecture through tapeout

Rad-tolerant, Safe & Secure Designs 

Tools, IP, methods and services to support development of mission-critical systems in extreme environments

Solutions for Longevity & Reliability

High-quality IP, silicon lifecycle management (SLM) and AI solutions for systems with high reliability and long operational life

Aerospace and Government Solutions Portfolio

Customer challenges include mission-critical, low size, weight & power, security, safety & reliability, model many environments, program & system risk reduction. Synopsys is here to help you.

<p>Synopsys automates semiconductor development for government and aerospace customers who need to build mission-critical systems in extreme environments. This includes space, sea, deserts, as well as extreme low and high temperatures.</p>
<p>Synopsys synthesis, verification and modeling tools have capabilities to develop up to the highest quality and security for extreme environments (<a href="https://players.brightcove.net/5748441669001/rka4xWwYG_default/index.html?videoId=6280324168001" target="_self">See Microchip RT FPGA case study</a>). Synopsys IP is also designed to meet the exacting standards of automotive and can be extended to aerospace. Finally, the Synopsys Design Services team can develop for a variety of environments, including space.</p>

Solutions for Extreme Environments:

Synopsys automates semiconductor development for government and aerospace customers who need to build mission-critical systems in extreme environments. This includes space, sea, deserts, as well as extreme low and high temperatures.

Synopsys synthesis, verification and modeling tools have capabilities to develop up to the highest quality and security for extreme environments (See Microchip RT FPGA case study). Synopsys IP is also designed to meet the exacting standards of automotive and can be extended to aerospace. Finally, the Synopsys Design Services team can develop for a variety of environments, including space.

<p>Synopsys automates the design of secure, safe and reliable silicon devices. Our fault-tolerant tools, flows, methodology, and IP originally developed for <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/automotive/functional-safety-and-security.html" target="_blank">automotive functional safety</a> and <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/glossary/what-is-low-power-design.html" target="_blank">low power</a> are being extended to meet the challenges of aerospace and defense. This is possible because random faults like safety and radiation resistance and targeted faults like security can have a common technology for prevention and detection.</p>
<p>An example, Synopsys is the Prime Contractor for the <a href="https://youtu.be/zj4SmyRFD-E?t=3123" target="_blank">DARPA Automatic Implementation of Secure Silicon</a> Program that aims to create a secure design and verification flow. Synopsys also has a full <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/designware-ip/security-ip.html" target="_blank">suite of security IP</a>, from secure boot to secure interfaces.&nbsp;</p>

Fault-tolerant Design

Synopsys automates the design of secure, safe and reliable silicon devices. Our fault-tolerant tools, flows, methodology, and IP originally developed for automotive functional safety and low power are being extended to meet the challenges of aerospace and defense. This is possible because random faults like safety and radiation resistance and targeted faults like security can have a common technology for prevention and detection.

An example, Synopsys is the Prime Contractor for the DARPA Automatic Implementation of Secure Silicon Program that aims to create a secure design and verification flow. Synopsys also has a full suite of security IP, from secure boot to secure interfaces. 

<p class="MsoNormal">Environmental concerns and small form factors are key challenges for government, aerospace, and defense applications. Their advanced systems demand high performance in small spaces and extreme environments. To meet these needs, Synopsys developed a solution for 3D&nbsp;heterogeneous integration and <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/partners/ansys.html" target="_blank">partnered with Ansys</a> to simulate the design in its intended environment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">S<span style="font-family: inherit;">ynopsys' </span><a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/implementation-and-signoff/3dic-design.html" style="background-color: rgb(247, 247, 247); font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">3D heterogeneous integration, multi-die package, signoff analysis</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and Ansys simulation system successfully improve thermal-mechanical dissipation and stress for devices that operate in the sea, desert, or space.</span></p>

Lower SWaP with 3DIC and Multi-Physics

Environmental concerns and small form factors are key challenges for government, aerospace, and defense applications. Their advanced systems demand high performance in small spaces and extreme environments. To meet these needs, Synopsys developed a solution for 3D heterogeneous integration and partnered with Ansys to simulate the design in its intended environment.

Synopsys' 3D heterogeneous integration, multi-die package, signoff analysis, and Ansys simulation system successfully improve thermal-mechanical dissipation and stress for devices that operate in the sea, desert, or space.

<p>A&amp;D systems need to process massive amounts of data quickly for real-time analysis and decisions in low SWaP environments. Synopsys ARC® Processors, including the <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/designware-ip/processor-solutions/arc-vpx-dsp-family.html" target="_blank">ARC VPX Digital Signal Processors</a> and <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/designware-ip/processor-solutions/arc-npx-family.html" target="_blank">NPX Neural Processors</a>, meet intense computing requirements with low power&nbsp;consumption and software program flexibility.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our ARC VPX DSP Family is primed for front-end processing of sensor data with integer and floating-point data types. The NPX Family is optimized for performance, power, and area, including CNN model and Transformer graph acceleration. The MetaWare toolchain is simple to use and compatible with 3<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;party ecosystem partners such as Matlab, Tensorflow and ONNX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>

Low Power, Runtime Reconfigurable Processing

A&D systems need to process massive amounts of data quickly for real-time analysis and decisions in low SWaP environments. Synopsys ARC® Processors, including the ARC VPX Digital Signal Processors and NPX Neural Processors, meet intense computing requirements with low power consumption and software program flexibility.

Our ARC VPX DSP Family is primed for front-end processing of sensor data with integer and floating-point data types. The NPX Family is optimized for performance, power, and area, including CNN model and Transformer graph acceleration. The MetaWare toolchain is simple to use and compatible with 3rd party ecosystem partners such as Matlab, Tensorflow and ONNX.  

<p>Today’s systems need digital before physical representation to reduce cost, time and complexity while improving productivity and scalability. Synopsys digital twin users can optimize SWaP and pre-certify for security or safety. Extending our <a href="https://blogs.synopsys.com/from-silicon-to-software/2022/08/17/digital-twins-in-the-autmotive-industry/" target="_blank">leadership in automotive</a> to A&amp;D, Synopsys has model fidelity, simulation performance and scalability as well as engines to enable a CI/CD regression solution and user productivity.</p><p>Synopsys’ technology engines, from sensors to SoCs and Line Replaceable Units, can simulate hardware and software. Synopsys also has services expertise in augmented reality solutions for another element in your quest for digital transformation.</p>

Create and Validate Digitally

Today’s systems need digital before physical representation to reduce cost, time and complexity while improving productivity and scalability. Synopsys digital twin users can optimize SWaP and pre-certify for security or safety. Extending our leadership in automotive to A&G, Synopsys has model fidelity, simulation performance and scalability as well as engines to enable a CI/CD regression solution and user productivity.

Synopsys’ technology engines, from sensors to SoCs and Line Replaceable Units, can simulate hardware and software. Synopsys also has services expertise in augmented reality solutions for another element in your quest for digital transformation.

<p>Synopsys has excecuted government research programs as a prime contractor for partners like DARPA and IARPA&nbsp;on the&nbsp;<a href="https://news.synopsys.com/2020-06-25-Synopsys-Awarded-DARPA-Contract-for-Automatic-Implementation-of-Secure-Silicon-Program" target="_blank">AISS</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://news.synopsys.com/2019-07-15-Synopsys-Awarded-DARPA-ERI-Contract-Extension-for-Analog-Mixed-Signal-Emulation-Technology-Innovation" target="_blank">POSH</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://news.synopsys.com/2017-10-25-Synopsys-Awarded-Multi-Year-IARPA-SuperTools-Contract-to-Develop-EDA-Tool-Flows-for-Superconducting-Electronics" target="_blank">SuperTools</a> programs. We have also collaborated with industry leaders on programs such as&nbsp;<a href="https://news.synopsys.com/2021-02-04-Synopsys-Selected-for-Rapid-Assured-Microelectronics-Prototypes-Program" target="_blank">RAMP</a>.&nbsp; <a href="https://blogs.synopsys.com/from-silicon-to-software/2022/05/06/national-space-day-2022/" target="_blank">Synopsys has worked closely with NASA</a> on the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Telescope, LEO, and deep space missions.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Synopsys aligns our technical roadmaps with key government organizations to enable early demostration and deployment of government-funded and Synopsys IRAD capabilities. We are a US DoD workforce development partner through the <a href="https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/News/Spotlights/2021/csme-launched" target="_blank">Purdue University CSME program</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p>

Government Research

Synopsys has excecuted government research programs as a prime contractor for partners like DARPA and IARPA on the AISSPOSH and SuperTools programs. We have also collaborated with industry leaders on programs such as RAMPSynopsys has worked closely with NASA on the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Telescope, LEO, and deep space missions.

Synopsys aligns our technical roadmaps with key government organizations to enable early demostration and deployment of government-funded and Synopsys IRAD capabilities. We are a US DoD workforce development partner through the Purdue University CSME program.   

Driving Value Across the Entire Design Process

<p>Synopsys and its subsidiary, FirstPass Engineering, have decades of experience supporting SoC and FPGA designs for Government and Aerospace customers.</p>
<p>FirstPass Engineering is a Defense Microelectronics Activity (<a href="https://www.dmea.osd.mil/otherdocs/AccreditedSuppliers.pdf" target="_blank">DMEA</a>) accredited trusted supplier to the US Department of Defense.</p>
<p><a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/services/design-services.html" target="_blank">System Design Solutions</a> partners with customers to meet or exceed their most stringent requirements with services from architecture through silicon implementation.</p>

Comprehensive A&D Design Services

Synopsys and its subsidiary, FirstPass Engineering, have decades of experience supporting SoC and FPGA designs for Government and Aerospace customers.

FirstPass Engineering is a Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) accredited trusted supplier to the US Department of Defense.

System Design Solutions partners with customers to meet or exceed their most stringent requirements with services from architecture through silicon implementation.

<p> Synopsys offers <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/silicon-design.html" target="_blank">leading solutions for digital and analog/mixed-signal design</a> to achieve the best quality of results while optimizing for power, performance, area, yield, security, reliability, and safety. Unlike competitive solutions, Synopsys optimizations are primarily targeted at FinFET designs. The results are clear: <a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/implementation-and-signoff.html" target="_blank">Synopsys leads 90% of designs in FinFET and recent technology nodes</a>.</p><p>S<span style="font-family: inherit;">ynopsys </span><a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/implementation-and-signoff/ml-ai-design/dso-ai.html" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-family: inherit;">DSO.ai™</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Design Space Optimization AI) ushered in a new era of productivity and breakthrough chip design in 2020. DSO.ai searches for optimization targets in very large solution spaces of chip design, utilizing reinforcement learning to enhance key metrics. </span></p>

AI Optimized Design

 Synopsys offers leading solutions for digital and analog/mixed-signal design to achieve the best quality of results while optimizing for power, performance, area, yield, security, reliability, and safety. Unlike competitive solutions, Synopsys optimizations are primarily targeted at FinFET designs. The results are clear: Synopsys leads 90% of designs in FinFET and recent technology nodes.

Synopsys DSO.ai™ (Design Space Optimization AI) ushered in a new era of productivity and breakthrough chip design in 2020. DSO.ai searches for optimization targets in very large solution spaces of chip design, utilizing reinforcement learning to enhance key metrics. 

<p>Synopsys’ solutions enable customers to architect, design, verify and rapidly deploy next-generation mission-critical systems.</p>
<p>E<span style="font-family: inherit;">lectronics design for government, aerospace and defense requires high-performance </span><a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/implementation-and-signoff/fpga-based-design/synplify.html" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-family: inherit;">FPGA synthesis</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> with </span><a href="/content/synopsys/en-us/verification/solutions/aero-defense.html" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);font-family: inherit;">verification</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for challenging environments and applications, including security, radiation tolerance, and compliance to safety standards like DO-254. </span></p>
<p>Our unique and differentiated solutions to verify FPGAs and SoCs set the standard for first-pass silicon success.</p>

Verify for A&D Challenges

Synopsys’ solutions enable customers to architect, design, verify and rapidly deploy next-generation mission-critical systems.

Electronics design for government, aerospace and defense requires high-performance FPGA synthesis with verification for challenging environments and applications, including security, radiation tolerance, and compliance to safety standards like DO-254. 

Our unique and differentiated solutions to verify FPGAs and SoCs set the standard for first-pass silicon success.

Silicon to Software Development

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Design Reuse with Semiconductor IP

Integrate high-quality, silicon-proven IP that meets the highest standards in functionality, safety, reliability, and security and enables companies to reduce risk and accelerate delivery of SoCs for aerospace/defense applications.

Solution Elements:
Synopsys IP | Interface IP | Security IP | IP Accelerated

Silicon IP

Digital & Analog Design

Achieve the best QoR and productivity using Synopsys design tools to accelerate the development of advanced digital, custom, and analog/mixed-signal designs with the best power, performance, area, and yield.

Solution Elements:
Design Services | AMS Simulation | Silicon Design | FPGA Synthesis | Photonics

Digital & Analog Design

System Modeling and Verification

Deliver innovative and reliable aerospace systems faster at low cost, while meeting required standards and certifications with best-in-class verification, including system modeling and digital twins.

Solution Elements:
Virtual Prototyping | Saber | Simulation | Static & Formal | Emulation | FPGA-based Design | Optical Systems

System Modeling & Verification

Silicon Manufacturing

Optimize your silicon and circuit designs with tools that are production-proven in both established and emerging process nodes for better PPA, test, and yield.

Solution Elements:
Silicon Manufacturing | Mask Synthesis | Mask Data Preparation | Yield Management | TCAD | Atomistic Scale Modeling

Silicon Yield & Manufacturing

Silicon Lifecycle Management

Synopsys integrated Silicon Lifecycle Management (SLM) family of products improves silicon health and operational metrics at every phase of the device lifecycle.

Solution Elements:
High-Speed Access & Test | Environmental Monitors | Silicon.da | Yield Explorer | Optimizer | Structural Monitors

Silicon Lifecycle Management

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