CDNS Unveils LPDDR6/5X Memory IP System for Next-Gen AI & HPC Workload

Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) recently announced the tapeout of the industry’s first LPDDR6/5X memory IP system solution, capable of operating at an impressive 14.4Gbps—a 50% speed boost over previous LPDDR generations. The state-of-the-art IP system not only advances the frontiers of AI infrastructure but also caters to high-performance computing (HPC), data centers and mobile applications by enabling faster data movement, lower latency and scalable integration options.

The Cadence IP for the JEDEC LPDDR6/5X standard features a sophisticated PHY architecture combined with a high-performance controller, optimized to deliver exceptional power, performance and area (PPA) efficiency. It provides comprehensive support for both LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X DRAM protocols, ensuring maximum design flexibility. This solution seamlessly integrates into conventional monolithic SoCs as well as advanced multi-die systems by leveraging the Cadence chiplet framework. Notably, this framework, built on the success of the previous LPDDR generation, was successfully taped out in 2024, highlighting its viability for heterogeneous chiplet integration.

The integrated PHY and controller memory solution features a cutting-edge, high-performance architecture that is both scalable and adaptable, building on Cadence’s well-established DDR5 (12.8Gbps), LPDDR5X (10.7Gbps) and GDDR7 (36G) product lines. As the inaugural release in Cadence’s new LPDDR6 IP portfolio, this offering provides full support for the LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X standards, including compatibility with LPDDR5X CAMM2, ensuring robust performance and broad applicability.

Delving Deep Into CDNS’ Controller & PHY System

Designed to serve diverse markets including AI, mobile, consumer electronics, enterprise HPC, and cloud data centers, this advanced LPDDR6/5X memory IP solution delivers improved flexibility to meet varying performance, capacity and cost requirements, supporting extended product lifecycles. The LPDDR6/5X PHY can be tailored to different package and system configurations and is offered as a drop-in hardened macro. This enables quick, reliable integration, significantly accelerating time-to-market for end products.

The Cadence LPDDR6/5X controller offers a comprehensive suite of standard and advanced features for memory interfaces, including compatibility with the Arm AMBA AXI bus. Delivered as a soft RTL macro, the controller provides designers with maximum flexibility to optimize features, power, area and performance to suit their specific application needs.

Cadence extends its solutions beyond silicon by offering a comprehensive LPDDR6 Memory Model. This model enables engineering teams to conduct thorough protocol checks, achieve functional coverage and follow a defined verification plan to ensure JEDEC compliance. This helps reduce the verification burden on system designers and accelerates the time-to-market for next-generation SoCs adopting LPDDR6.

Additionally, this LPDDR6/5X memory IP is part of Cadence’s extensive memory IP suite, which also offers DDR, GDDR and HBM technologies. When combined with Cadence’s leading analog/mixed-signal tools and UCIe-based chiplet frameworks, customers can develop complete systems with optimized performance and faster time-to-market.

CDNS Poised for Growth as Hardware Demand Surges

Cadence’s performance is being boosted by solid demand and intense design activity. Long-term trends such as 5G growth, the rapid rise of hyperscale computing and advancements in autonomous driving are driving increased design work throughout the semiconductor industry.

In June 2025, it announced a major expansion of its partnership with Samsung Foundry through a new multi-year IP agreement. This collaboration aims to expand Cadence’s portfolio of memory and interface IP solutions across Samsung’s advanced process technologies, including SF4X, SF5A and SF2P nodes. By combining CDNS’ AI-driven design platforms with Samsung’s cutting-edge fabrication technologies, the two companies are set to deliver high-performance, low-power solutions tailored for AI data centers, automotive applications such as ADAS and next-generation RF connectivity.

However, the company is up against strong competition from other EDA firms such as Synopsys, ANSYS and Siemens AG (after it acquired Mentor Graphics). This rising competitive intensity puts downward pressure on pricing, squeezing margins. To maintain its edge, Cadence has ramped up its R&D investments, especially in verification and digital design tools, which, while necessary, may hinder operating margin growth.

CDNS’ Zacks Rank & Stock Price Performance

CDNS currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Shares of the company have soared 21.3% in the past three months compared with the Zacks Computer-Software industry’s growth of 29.8%.

Other Key Picks From the Computer & Technology Space

Some other top-ranked stocks from the broader technology space are NETGEAR, Inc. (NTGR), TaskUs, Inc. (TASK) and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH). NTGR currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and TASK and CTSH carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here

NETGEAR’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 179.12%. In the last reported quarter, NTGR delivered an earnings surprise of 105.71%. Its shares have gained 92.6% in the past year.

TaskUs’ earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters, matched in one and missed in the other, with the average surprise being 6.39%. In the last reported quarter, TASK delivered an earnings surprise of 18.75%. Its shares have risen 7% in the past year.

Cognizant’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 6.38%. In the last reported quarter, CTSH delivered an earnings surprise of 3.36%. Its shares have grown 4% in the past year.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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