The integration of increasingly complex hardware and software is a significant challenge for semiconductor and OEM companies developing next-generation wireless, consumer and automotive devices. Traditional methods of serialized hardware and software development - where the vast majority of software is developed and verified after the silicon design is complete–often fail to meet aggressive product development schedules.

Virtual prototyping results in faster time-to-market through earlier and faster software development and improved communication throughout the supply chain. They enable software engineers to start development months before the hardware design is complete, enabling full system bring-up to occur within days of silicon availability. Virtual prototypes are fast, fully functional software models of complete systems that execute unmodified production code and provide unparalleled debug efficiency. Synopsys is a leader in virtual prototyping solutions for the automotive, HPC, AI, consumer electronics, networking, and aerospace & defense industries. 

Synopsys' virtual prototyping solution includes Platform Architect™,  Virtualizer™ and the industry's largest portfolio of transaction-level models (TLMs) for creating virtual prototypes, Virtualizer Development Kits (VDKs) for early software development, and services to ensure project success.

Volvo Cars is rapidly adopting holistic, whole‑vehicle validation, and we’re bringing that rigor into the earliest stages of design and development. Core to this transformation is our pioneering use of electronics digital twins working with Synopsys. With virtualized ECUs, our teams can ‘shift left’ test and validation before hardware exists, enabling us to reduce development cost, increase software quality, and accelerate innovation throughout the lifecycle of our vehicles.

Johannes Foufas

Technical Manager, Software Factory, Volvo Cars