CUPERTINO, Calif. — To bolster its new "block-level" design tools, EDA startup Aristo Technology Inc. has signed partnerships with four EDA and intellectual-property vendors. Aristo is seeking alliances with companies involved in building the blocks that Aristo's tools will assemble.

Aristo has joined Ambit Design Systems' BuildGates program to build interfaces and ensure interoperability between Ambit's synthesis tools and Aristo's design planning tools. A five-year partnership with Zuken-Redac calls for joint development of routing technology. Aristo is working with Duet Technologies to develop an open block-level design data import and export capability and is partnering with Virtual Silicon Technologies to develop interfaces to that company's IP products.

Aristo made its first public appearance at this year's Design Automation Conference, and is developing tools for block-level design planning and chip assembly.