Synfora Inc.

Synfora Inc. developed high-level synthesis (HLS) technology, centered on its Program-In Chip-Out (PICO) system. This innovation automatically translated C/C++ software algorithms into optimized hardware designs. These tools enabled efficient creation of application-specific integrated circuits and field-programmable gate arrays, streamlining digital system development directly from high-level descriptions.

Founded in 2003 by Craig Gleason, Shail Aditya, and Vinod Kathail, Synfora commercialized PICO technology. This originated from Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, where Vinod Kathail, a project leader, recognized design productivity gains by synthesizing hardware directly from C/C++ code. Their expertise bridged the software-to-hardware design gap.

Synfora's products served hardware engineers and architects designing advanced electronics for demanding applications like audio, video, imaging, and wireless. The company’s vision aimed for an "algorithm-to-tapeout" workflow, reducing hardware development time and risk. This empowered designers to prioritize algorithmic innovation and accelerate product cycles.

High-Level Overview

Synfora, Inc. was a semiconductor software company that developed algorithmic synthesis tools, enabling designers to convert sequential, untimed C or C++ algorithms directly into optimized hardware engines for systems-on-chips (SoCs).[1][2][4][5] It targeted IC design markets in audio, video, imaging, wireless, and security, serving worldwide customers by reducing design costs, speeding chip development, and shortening time-to-market through tools like PICO Extreme, which supported large-scale sub-systems with high-quality results and low power.[2][5] Backed by investors including ATA Ventures, Foundation Capital, Wafra, U.S. Venture Partners, and Xilinx, Synfora raised funding to deliver "algorithm-to-tapeout" technology but was ultimately acquired by Synopsys.[2][6]

Origin Story

Synfora emerged in the mid-2000s amid rising demand for high-level synthesis (HLS) tools to handle complex SoC designs beyond traditional RTL methods. Based in Mountain View, California, the company focused on "program-in, chip-out" technologies from its inception, with key advancements like the 2008 release of PICO Extreme, which introduced TCAB (temporal composable algorithmic blocks) for recursive system composition and reusable algorithmic IP libraries.[1][2] Leadership, including President Simon Napper, emphasized scaling algorithmic synthesis for substantial algorithms, positioning Synfora as a leader before its acquisition by Synopsys, which integrated its C/C++-to-hardware tech into broader EDA flows.[2][6]

Core Differentiators

Synfora's tools stood out in the electronic design automation (EDA) space through:

• True algorithmic synthesis: Converted untimed C/C++ code directly to production-ready SoC engines, bypassing manual RTL coding for faster exploration and implementation.[1][2][4][6]
• Scalability via PICO Extreme and TCAB: Handled larger, complex sub-systems with recursive composition, superior runtime, quality of results, and power efficiency compared to prior HLS limits.[2]
• Reusability and SoC integration: Built libraries of deployable IP for diverse silicon processes, supporting familiar design styles in high-demand sectors like wireless and imaging.[2][5]
• Market-proven focus: Priced at $350,000+ for licenses, it delivered cost reductions and time-to-market gains for IC designers.[2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Synfora rode the shift from RTL to high-level synthesis (HLS) in the 2000s semiconductor boom, as exploding SoC complexity in mobile, multimedia, and security devices demanded automation to manage design productivity gaps.[2][6] Its timing aligned with C/C++ adoption in hardware design, enabling non-hardware experts to prototype faster amid Moore's Law slowdowns and power constraints. Market forces like wireless proliferation and video processing growth favored its IP-reuse model, influencing the EDA ecosystem by proving HLS viability—paving the way for Synopsys' acquisition, which embedded Synfora's tech into industry-standard tools and accelerated broader HLS adoption.[2][6]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Synfora's legacy endures through Synopsys' HLS portfolio, where its core tech continues powering modern SoC designs amid AI-driven chip complexity. Looking ahead, trends like edge AI, 5G/6G, and custom silicon will amplify demand for evolved "algorithm-to-hardware" flows, with Synfora's influence shaping tools for hyperscale and automotive chips. Its acquisition underscores a pivotal startup-to-industry pivot, tying back to its mission of transforming software algorithms into efficient silicon engines that still underpin today's IC innovation.