Highlights:

• Integrated Cadence low-power flow enabled development of new Wonder Gecko microcontroller, which uses 50 percent less power than competitive offerings
• The MCU was developed by Energy Micro, now part of Silicon Labs, which has been using the Cadence flow since its inception in 2007 to create nearly 250 ARM-based MCUs

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), a leader in global electronic design innovation, today announced that Silicon Labs has significantly reduced the power consumption of its latest energy-friendly ARM®-based microcontroller unit (MCU) by 50 percent using the complete Cadence® mixed-signal low-power design flow. According to Silicon Labs, the new EFM32 Wonder Gecko, which incorporates an ARM Cortex®-M4 core, uses 50 percent less power than competitors' MCUs and extends battery life for applications running at higher temperatures. Targeting power-sensitive applications such as smart energy and home automation, the microcontroller achieves low-power operation in both active and sleep modes.

The MCU was developed by Energy Micro, which was recently acquired by Silicon Labs. Energy Micro has used the Cadence mixed-signal low-power flow to create nearly 250 ARM-based EFM32 Gecko MCU products since its inception in 2007. The Cadence integrated mixed-signal low-power flow includes the Virtuoso®, Incisive®, Encounter® and Allegro® platforms.

"Our goal from the start was to produce the world's most energy-friendly microcontrollers. To achieve that, we have relied on the fully integrated Cadence flow," said Øyvind Janbu, senior director, strategic marketing for microcontroller products at Silicon Labs. "As a result, we have consistently hit our aggressive ultra-low-power targets quickly and with first-pass silicon success."

"The success of EFM32 Gecko MCUs in the embedded market is a testament to how Cadence's technology helps our customers achieve differentiated energy efficient design goals," said Dr. Chi-Ping Hsu, chief strategy officer and senior vice president of digital and signoff group at Cadence. "This is a great case study of how Cadence technologies have enabled Gecko MCUs go from the ground up to market success."

To learn more about Cadence's integrated mixed-signal low-power flow, click here.

About Cadence

Cadence enables global electronic design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software, hardware, IP, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available here.

© 2013 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Cadence, Allegro, Encounter, Incisive, Virtuoso and the Cadence logo are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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