Neolinear

About Neolinear

Neolinear, Inc. operated as a specialized developer of electronic design automation (EDA) software, focusing on the analog, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency (RF) design sectors. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company addressed the intricate challenges of analog circuit design within the semiconductor industry. Its primary clients were semiconductor companies, for whom analog content was becoming a key differentiator, particularly in the consumer and communications markets.

The company's business revolved around providing advanced software tools that automated and accelerated the design process for analog and mixed-signal silicon. Neolinear's product suite included NeoCircuit, a tool for automated circuit sizing and verification, and NeoCell, a layout tool for generating analog cell designs. These products were developed to integrate with existing design platforms, most notably Cadence's Virtuoso platform, through an OEM agreement that was in place even before the company's acquisition. This simulation-in-the-loop synthesis technology allowed designers to automate the sizing of circuits based on specific design requirements, which was a significant step forward in productivity for analog designers.

Under the leadership of Tom Beckley as President and CEO and Ron Rohrer as Chairman, Neolinear carved out a critical niche. The company secured a total of $17.2 million in funding from investors including Birchmere Ventures, CEO Ventures, Intersouth Partners, and TVM Capital. A significant milestone was a multi-million dollar contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop next-generation RF design tools, aiming to drastically reduce design cycles. In a strategic move to consolidate its leadership in the analog and mixed-signal tool market, Cadence Design Systems acquired the privately-held Neolinear in April 2004. Following the acquisition, the Neolinear team, including its 75 employees, was integrated into Cadence's custom IC organization to continue advancing A/MS and RF design technologies.