Cadence Design Systems announced on Thursday the development of a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputer system, the Millennium M1, specifically engineered for simulating airflow over various components, including jets and other gear. This move intensifies Cadence’s rivalry with Ansys, as the San Jose-based company expands its focus beyond its renowned software for designing computer chips.
While Cadence has earned recognition for its software that aids in the intricate design of computer chips, it is currently engaged in a competitive landscape with its primary counterpart, Synopsys. The objective is to integrate chip design software with applications facilitating the design and testing of larger mechanical systems, into which these chips are incorporated.
Cadence’s expertise lies in physics simulation software, which enables comprehensive testing of airflow and fluid dynamics. This software competes directly with Ansys, a company that Synopsys recently moved to acquire in a substantial $35 billion deal. Initially, Cadence had expressed interest in acquiring Ansys, setting the stage for a competitive dynamic in the industry.
The inherent challenge faced by designers in the aerospace and engineering sectors is the massive computational power required for physics simulation software. This often limits their ability to thoroughly test every facet of a design within tight business deadlines. Frank Ham, Vice President of Research and Development for Computational Fluid Dynamics at Cadence, highlighted this constraint.
The newly introduced Millennium M1 system is positioned to address this challenge by expediting tests, allowing engineers to conduct a more extensive array of simulations. Leveraging AI capabilities, the system will sift through vast datasets generated by these tests, offering valuable insights and recommending improvements that time-constrained engineers may have overlooked.
Frank Ham emphasized the scale of data involved in simulations, stating, “There’s no human that’s reading all of the results of those simulations, and some of the design innovations that are buried in there are going be teased out.”
While Cadence refrained from disclosing the system’s cost, it will be available for both sale and rental, catering to the preferences of individual customers. The Millennium M1 is now accessible to interested clients seeking advanced solutions in fluid dynamics simulation.