CATS (software)

EDA software for mask data preparation (MDP) in integrated circuit design and manufacturing

CATS (Computer Aided Transcription System) is an EDA software for mask data preparation (MDP) in integrated circuit design and manufacturing.

CATS receives tape out data output from the integrated circuit physical design step, most commonly in GDSII format, processes it, and converts into data that control the fabrication of photomasks used to manufacture the designed IC.[1] CATS software tools generate photomask layers from input design layers and allow users to inspect the input and output data and verify its accuracy.[2]

Originally it was developed by Transcription Enterprises, Ltd, acquired by Numerical Technologies, Inc. (2000).[3] At the moment of acquisition, it was an industry standard for MDP operations, such as mask fracturing and mask inspection, with about 95% of market share.[1] In its turn, Numeritech was acquired by Synopsys, Inc. (2003).[4]

## References

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1. ^ a b "NumeriTech Buying Transcription" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Gale Morrison, January 10, 2000, EDN Network (retrieved December 8, 2015)
2. ^ "Numeritech April 2000 SEC filing". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
3. ^ ""NumeriTech to integrate mask design, preparation software after acquisition"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
4. ^ "Midnight at the OASIS" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, an editorial at EDACafe, by Peggy Aycinena, September 11, 2006 (retrieved December 8, 2015)

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