Cadence Breaks Into Top 4 in Semi IP Core Ranking

Cadence Design Systems Inc. moved into the top four of semiconductor IP core suppliers in 2013 spurred by its renewed IP strategy and acquisitions of Tensilica and Cosmic Circuits, according to market analysis company Gartner Inc.

Cadence had not figured in the top ten at all in Gartner’s 2012 ranking for semiconductor IP.

The Semiconductor design IP market grew by 11.5 percent in 2013 to a value of $2.45 billion, according to Gartner. Processor licensor ARM Holdings plc had a 43.2 percent share of design IP revenue. Synopsys was second with 13.9 percent and Imagination Technologies third with 9 percent.

ARM continues to be the clear market leader in semiconductor IP core licensing but its year-on-year growth was eclipsed in 2013 by Imagination Technologies Group plc. Imagination’s growth was partly due to its acquisition of MIPS Technology Inc. early in the year.

Other notable movers included Sonics Inc., which expanded IP core revenue by 44.8 percent, and graphics core licensor Vivante Ltd., which broke into the top ten ranking. Sonics climbed to 7th in 2013’s ranking from ninth in 2012’s ranking. Ceva and Rambus suffered falls in IP core revenue. Ceva fell from fifth to sixth while Rambus maintained eighth position in the Gartner ranking.

This article originally appeared on EE Times Europe.