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Major Chip Design Software Firms Block China Downloads

Published: May. 30, 2025 8:16 p.m. GMT+8

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As of Thursday, Siemens EDA’s Calibre software could not be downloaded, a source at a Chinese chip design company told Caixin. Photo: AI generated

Several foreign electronic design automation (EDA) majors have suspended software updates and downloads for clients on the Chinese mainland, sources said, amid new sales restrictions imposed by the U.S.

EDA software is used to design electronic systems, such as semiconductors.

As of Thursday, Cadence Design Systems Inc.’s software and Siemens EDA Sales & Services Pvt Ltd.’s Calibre software could not be downloaded, a source at a Chinese chip design company told Caixin, adding that Synopsys Inc.’s software remained accessible.

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Major EDA firms like Cadence and Siemens have suspended software updates and downloads for Chinese clients due to new U.S. export restrictions; Synopsys software remains accessible for now.
Siemens, Cadence, and Synopsys account for 80–90% of China’s $3.75 billion EDA market; China has begun developing domestic EDA tools amid U.S. curbs.
U.S. restrictions target advanced EDA software used in cutting-edge chip design, while existing licenses remain usable; further limits are possible but not universal.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Cadence Design Systems Inc.: Cadence Design Systems Inc. is a major foreign electronic design automation (EDA) software provider. As of Thursday, its software could not be downloaded in mainland China after the U.S. imposed new sales restrictions. Cadence said it was informed by the BIS on May 23 that a license is required to export certain EDA software and technology to China due to concerns about “military end use.” Existing licenses remain usable for now.

Siemens EDA: Siemens EDA has suspended software updates and downloads for clients on the Chinese mainland amid new U.S. export restrictions. While new updates are currently unavailable, existing licenses remain usable. Siemens EDA is reportedly in talks with the U.S. government about the situation. The company, along with Cadence and Synopsys, controls the majority of China’s EDA market. The current restrictions are related to concerns over potential "military end use" in China.

Synopsys Inc.: According to the article, Synopsys Inc.’s software remained accessible to Chinese clients as of Thursday. The company received a letter from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) informing it of new export restrictions related to China. Synopsys stated it is assessing the potential impact of the BIS letter on its business, operating results, and financial condition.

Samsung Semiconductor Inc.: Samsung Semiconductor Inc. has begun using GAAFET (gate-all-around field-effect transistor) technology to produce its 3-nanometer chips. This new technology allows their chips to consume 45% less power and have a 16% smaller surface area compared with Samsung’s previous 5-nanometer chips. GAAFET is viewed as a key enabler for more advanced semiconductor manufacturing, helping achieve greater miniaturization and efficiency in chip production.

Intel Corp.: According to the article, Intel Corp. plans to adopt gate-all-around field-effect transistor (GAAFET) technology for its upcoming 2-nanometer chip manufacturing process. This advanced structure enables further miniaturization of semiconductor patterns, key for producing cutting-edge chips.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.: According to the article, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) will adopt gate-all-around field-effect transistor (GAAFET) technology for its 2-nanometer chip production process. GAAFET technology allows for further shrinking of semiconductor patterns and is considered essential for cutting-edge chip manufacturing.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.: According to the article, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., along with several domestic software firms, developed its own EDA (electronic design automation) tool in March 2023. This tool is used for the development of chips made with 14-nanometer technology or above, as part of China’s push to support domestic chip design technology amid intensifying tech rivalry with the U.S.

Counterpoint Research: According to the article, Counterpoint Research is a research organization. Ethan Qi, identified as an associate director at Counterpoint Research, commented that the technical threshold for developing EDA software is not as high as for other chipmaking tools, and emphasized the importance of collaboration between EDA firms and chip designers to enhance product competitiveness.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

August 2022：: The U.S. limited sales of EDA software critical for the development of chips with an advanced gate-all-around field-effect transistor (GAAFET) structure.

March 2023：: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., in partnership with several domestic software firms, developed its own EDA tool used for the development of chips made with 14-nanometer technology or above.

2024：: The value of China’s EDA market reached about $3.75 billion.

May 23, 2025：: The BIS informed Cadence that it would have to obtain a license before exporting certain EDA software and technology to China.

Thursday, May 29, 2025：: As of this date, Cadence Design Systems Inc.’s software and Siemens EDA Sales & Services Pvt Ltd.’s Calibre software could not be downloaded by clients on the Chinese mainland, while Synopsys Inc.’s software remained accessible.