Using OpenAccess 2.1 as a Development Platform for New EDA Software

Silicon Navigator started evaluating and using OpenAccess 2.1 for use as a development platform for new EDA software. Founders previously established High Level Design Systems, originally on Cadence's Design Framework II and eventually created their own framework Pillar. Founders created the Titan Framework for RTL Timing and Floorplaning under InTime Software. Lineage within the company has worked on every framework created under Cadence, including OpenAccess. This paper discusses the issues, pros, cons and experiences in developing a new EDA company using OpenAccess database. We will discuss the work to take the OpenAccess database and turn it into a full fledged Framework with GUI, Technology Files, Extension languages, and translators.