Hi,

Which among the two are best suited for performing LVS on small, full custom blocks (standard cells, I/O cells, small analog blocks...)? and Why?

a. Cadence Assura
b. Mentor Calibre

If anybody has used one/both of these tools, please share their experiences..

Thanks!

Hi jbd,

Yes, the difference is pricing is too significant to ignore.. Assura is much cheaper than Calibre.
The standard cell based full chip designers are mostly unanimous is their support to Calibre, but I see many analog / custom block / cell designers sticking to Assura..
Is this because:
a) Anyway the custom layout boys are dependent on the cadence environment for design/simulation/layout etc and hence probably they have better integration/support for Assura.
b) The comparatively smaller analog/cell designs do not need the level of sophistication that Calibre offers at a much higher price

By the way, do you have any opinion about Assura's ability/inability w.r.t handling the complex rules associated with 65/45nm processes?

Thanks a lot for your answers,

S/C