View source for Software:CATS

'''CATS''' (Computer Aided Transcription System) is an [[Engineering:Electronic design automation|EDA]] [[Software|software]] for [[Engineering:Mask data preparation|mask data preparation]] (MDP) in [[Engineering:Integrated circuit|integrated circuit]] design and manufacturing.
CATS receives tape out data output from the [[Engineering:Integrated circuit|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.<ref name=ntbt/> CATS software tools generate photomask layers from input design layers and allow users to inspect the input and output data and verify  its accuracy.<ref>[http://www.nasdaq.com/markets/ipos/filing.ashx?filingid=1150099 Numeritech April 2000 SEC filing]</ref>

Originally it was developed by Transcription Enterprises, Ltd, acquired by [[Company:Numerical Technologies|Numerical Technologies]], Inc. (2000).<ref>[http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1183210 "NumeriTech to integrate mask design, preparation software after acquisition"]</ref> At the moment of acquisition, it was an industry standard for MDP operations, such as mask fracturing and  [[Engineering:Mask inspection|mask inspection]], with about 95% of market share.<ref name=ntbt>[http://www.edn.com/electronics-news/4357605/NumeriTech-Buying-Transcription "NumeriTech Buying Transcription"], Gale Morrison, January 10, 2000,  ''EDN Network'' (retrieved December 8, 2015)</ref> In its turn, Numeritech was acquired by [[Company:Synopsys|Synopsys]], Inc. (2003).<ref>[http://www10.edacafe.com/nbc/articles/2/302510/Midnight-OASIS "Midnight at the OASIS"], an editorial at EDACafe, by Peggy Aycinena, September 11, 2006  (retrieved December 8, 2015)</ref>

==References ==
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[[Category:Electronic design automation software]]



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