Keysight Providing Software to Enable Researchers through the Microelectronics Commons

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Keysight Technologies, Inc. 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 to accelerate 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 Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC) led the effort, which will collaborate with its partners to host the centralized infrastructure. Over the past year, Keysight has actively engaged in discussions to make its EDA toolset available to users.

Hubs participating in the CHES Working Group can use Keysight EDA software for their projects. In addition to EDA software, hub members will 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 to take research from the concept phase to commercialization.

With its broad solutions portfolio spanning the entire design process, this agreement recognizes Keysight as a critical software provider. Keysight’s industry-leading RF and microwave EDA software expertise 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 see their IP usage 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 its RF and Systems Design platforms, Keysight brings a unique data and IP management platform. Keysight's design, test, and modeling 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.”