Synplicity Inc. was a supplier of software solutions for design of programmable logic devices (FPGAs

Field-programmable gate array

A field-programmable gate array is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by the customer or designer after manufacturing—hence "field-programmable"...

, PLDs

Programmable logic device

A programmable logic device or PLD is an electronic component used to build reconfigurable digital circuits. Unlike a logic gate, which has a fixed function, a PLD has an undefined function at the time of manufacture...

 and CPLDs) used for communications, military/aerospace, consumer, semiconductor, computer and other electronic systems. Synplicity’s tools provided logic synthesis

Logic synthesis

In electronics, logic synthesis is a process by which an abstract form of desired circuit behavior, typically register transfer level , is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates. Common examples of this process include synthesis of HDLs, including VHDL and Verilog...

, physical synthesis, and verification

Verification and Validation

In software project management, software testing, and software engineering, verification and validation is the process of checking that a software system meets specifications and that it fulfills its intended purpose...

 functions for FPGA, FPGA-based ASIC

Application-specific integrated circuit

An application-specific integrated circuit is an integrated circuit customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use. For example, a chip designed solely to run a cell phone is an ASIC...

 prototyping, and DSP

Digital signal processor

A digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...

 designers. Synplicity was listed on Nasdaq until it was acquired by Synopsys

Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. is one of the largest companies in the Electronic Design Automation industry. Synopsys' first and best-known product is Design Compiler, a logic-synthesis tool. Synopsys offers a wide range of other products used in the design of an application-specific integrated circuit...

for $227 million in a transaction finalized May 15, 2008.

Founders

• Ken McElvain, Founder and Chief Technical Officer
• Alisa Yaffa, Co-founder and former CEO