Thalia Design Automation has raised $865k (£640k) to boost its design tools for the re-use, migration and derivative creation of analogue (rather than digital) chip designs.
“Analogue IP re-use is one of the biggest challenges facing the electronics industry today”
The company developed out of research at the University of Bath and is now backed by Mercia Fund Managers and Finance Wales. The latest round comes after some “significant customer traction” in the last 18 months.
Analogue chip design is significantly more challenging than digital, but is increasingly important for wireless chips and sensors used in the Internet of Things. The company has benefited from the strong silicon chip expertise in the region and has worked on Wi-Fi chips, low-power, low-noise amplifiers and low-power phase-locked loops.
“This new investment is a strong endorsement of our market strategy,” said Rodger Sykes, Thalia Executive Chairman and Director (above). “Analogue IP re-use is one of the biggest challenges facing the electronics industry today, and customers tell us that our approach, blending advanced design automation tools and methodology with experienced, expert design resources, really provides them with a competitive edge for reduced cost and time to market.”
Thalia will use this latest round of investment to get more customers and increase its expert team of analogue IC developers. The company provides RF, analogue and mixed-signal technology transfer, derivative and IP creation solutions, based on a unique combination of design automation technology, methodology and design know-how. Its customers include integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers and IP houses looking to quickly and cost-effectively diversify their product range.
Chip design savings offered
“Our customers report schedule, cost and resource savings of up to 50% – not to mention the ability to re-focus internal teams on new development programs, where they can add most value,” said Sowmyan Rajagopalan, Thalia Founder, CEO and CTO. “Our message to IP providers is that analogue design doesn’t have to be a black art – there are technologies and design resources out there that can help with re-use and product diversification, every bit as powerful as those available in the digital design space.”
“Thalia has the opportunity to establish a leading position in automating the design of analogue and mixed signal integrated circuits. It’s an exciting growth area,” said Tim Hazell, Investment Director at Mercia Fund Managers.
Thalia has offices in Cwmbran, Wales, and Hyderabad, India, and has also received grant funding from Innovate UK and The Welsh Government back in 2014.
The Innovation Centre at the University of Bath has established a thriving entrepreneurial network which reaches out from the City of Bath across the UK and beyond into the principal centres of innovation around the world.
