Keysight Providing Software to Enable Researchers through the Microelectronics Commons

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) announced it has reached an agreement to provide its electronic design automation (EDA) software to six of the eight hubs participating in the Microelectronics Commons (Commons). The Commons, created in 2023 under the United States’ CHIPS and Science Act, is part of a $2 billion, four-year initiative aimed at accelerating domestic microelectronics hardware prototyping and workforce development.

Through the agreement, Keysight acknowledged the importance of the Commons efforts, which aim to unite researchers and engineers from academia and industry to ensure technologies reach maturity, bridging the gap from lab-to-fab.

Six of the eight hubs participating in the Commons worked through the Cross Hub Enablement Solution (CHES) Working Group to centralize their EDA infrastructure. The effort was led by the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), which will collaborate with its partners to host the centralized infrastructure. Over the past year, Keysight actively engaged in discussions to make its EDA toolset available to users.

Hubs participating in the CHES Working Group will be able to use Keysight EDA software for their projects. In addition to EDA software, hub members will also have access to other Keysight tools, including design data/IP management software and various test and measurement applications. Each hub will collaborate with its members on projects aimed at taking research from the concept phase to commercialization.

With its broad solutions portfolio spanning the entire design process, Keysight is recognized as a critical software provider with this agreement. Keysight’s industry-leading expertise in RF and microwave EDA software helps designers ensure first-pass design success by creating accurate digital twins. Leveraging Keysight’s expertise in measurements also enables engineers to correlate their results between design, simulation, and test and measurement. Additionally, Keysight offers a comprehensive portfolio of design data and intellectual property (IP) management software. This software allows designers to track changes made to designs and to see the usage of their IP throughout the design process, providing a crucial tool for ensuring traceable data while safeguarding sensitive IP.

Paul Colestock, Director of Commercial Innovation, Midwest Microelectronics Consortium said: “We are very excited about the capabilities that Keysight will provide to organizations in the Commons CHES ecosystem. In addition to their RF and Systems Design platforms, Keysight brings a unique platform for data and IP management.  Keysight's design, test and modelling data management solution is essential for assurance and its data curation capability will be critical to delivering successful lab-to-fab transitions and new digital twinning capabilities that the Commons and our Nation depend on.”

Nilesh Kamdar, Design and Verification Business Unit Lead of Keysight EDA, said: “Keysight recognizes the importance of the Commons and its vital role in bringing together researchers and engineers from academia and industry to bridge the gap from lab-to-fab. This agreement underscores Keysight's commitment to driving innovation in microelectronics and supporting the development of critical technologies for national security and economic competitiveness. Keysight’s EDA tools are at the forefront of enabling the hubs of the Microelectronics Commons. We look forward to continuing this engagement to advance the Commons as we move into the future.”

Mark Pierpoint, Vice President of Strategic Innovation and Partnerships for Keysight Technologies, said: “To facilitate the lab-to-fab transition, the Microelectronics Commons is a vital part of the United States’ efforts to revitalize the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. Keysight is uniquely positioned to help engineers and researchers advance their semiconductor maturity by leveraging the company's EDA solutions coupled with its world leading test & measurement capabilities. We look forward to this ongoing partnership to support the success of the Microelectronics Commons.”

Resources

• MMEC Press Release
• Website: Microelectronics Commons
• Website: Midwest Microelectronics Consortium
• Product Page: Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Software 
• US Department of Defense Press Release: Biden-Harris Administration Awards $269M for Microelectronics Manufacturing and Workforce Development; Boosting U.S. Chip-Making Capabilities
• NSTXL Article: Awards Made in First Round of Microelectronics Commons Call for Projects, Totaling Nearly $269M

About Keysight Technologies   

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we're delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We're a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com. 

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Keysight’s EDA software enables engineers to achieve first-pass design success with advanced design and simulation tools that support every step of the design cycle.