Design & Reuse

Mike Yeager: 'Simulation Is Now Driving Product Design, Not Just Validating It'

Simulation is no longer just a support function in engineering-it's becoming the engine behind product development. Now that Synopsys has completed its $35 billion acquisition of Ansys, the combined company is positioning itself as the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems.

www.eetimes.com, Jul. 24, 2025 – 

Synopsys-Ansys integration will benefit customers in India and across Asia Pacific by accelerating innovation and helping address growing system complexity. 

In India, the rapid scaling up of investments in semiconductors, aerospace, EVs, and defense is expected to drive strong engineering-driven growth. 

In an exclusive conversation with EE Times, Mike Yeager, area vice president for Japan and India at Ansys, now part of Synopsys, explained how the acquisition will shape the future of simulation and electronic design automation (EDA) for India. 

“This combination has finally come to fruition,” said Yeager. While details of the integration are still being finalized, he emphasized the shared goal: “Fast-tracking the development and delivery of engineering solutions from silicon to systems.” The first set of integrated capabilities, which brings together Ansys’s multiphysics strengths with Synopsys’s full EDA stack, is expected by mid-2026. 

But the integration isn’t limited to semiconductors. “It will impact multi-die chip packaging and extend into the testing and virtualization of complex intelligent systems for automotive and other industries,” Yeager added. 

For Ansys customers in India and across Asia Pacific, the acquisition expands capabilities and accelerates product development timelines. “Asia Pacific is a major contributor to both simulation and EDA innovation,” Yeager said. 

Why does India matter? 

According to Yeager, India is a global center for simulation-led engineering. “With global capability centers, Indian-headquartered companies, and a strong startup ecosystem, India is an exciting place for simulation-led innovation. Our tools are powering innovations in automotive, aerospace, medical, semiconductor, and many other industries,” he said. 

Through government-backed programs such as the Chips to Startup (C2S) initiative, Ansys tools have reached students across India. The company maintains several active industry-academic partnerships, focusing on digital twins, electrification, and virtual validation.

“The Ansys portfolio was already comprehensive, but post the acquisition, we will be able to combine silicon design, IP, and simulation and analysis, so that our customers can rapidly innovate AI-powered products,” Yeager said. 

India’s startup community, he noted, is innovating in areas like space situational awareness, debris tracking, SAR radar, and hydrogen propulsion. “Private industry in India is driving new technology—not just manufacturing.” 

Simulation is especially valuable for early-stage companies. “It’s critical to help them validate ideas early and build credibility with investors, customers, and partners,” said Yeager. 

Although Ansys is known for its role in high-end applications, Yeager also emphasized its use in consumer product innovation. “Startups like Atomberg and Praan are designing energy-efficient ceiling fans and air filtration systems. These are simulation-led products that impact everyday life, not just billion-dollar systems.” 

Yeager said the broader shift to electrification and clean tech aligns strongly with Ansys’ investments in areas such as battery systems, thermal performance, EMI/EMC, and lightweight materials. “Simulation is a key enabler of next-generation sustainable technologies.” 

Designing the future with simulation 

The role of simulation, Yeager explained, is moving to the front of the development cycle. “It’s now helping teams pitch digital prototypes to stakeholders—even before the first physical build.” 

He noted that companies are moving from standalone tools to full design platforms. “You need multiphysics simulation that can scale from individual components, all the way to full systems.” Hybrid digital twins, which combine real-world data with simulation results, are gaining traction, particularly for modeling rare edge cases. 

When it comes to advanced packaging, including 2.5D and 3D ICs, Ansys’s strengths in thermal, mechanical, and materials simulation are vital. “These new technologies aren’t just about electromagnetics. Our multiphysics expertise directly supports these evolving needs.” 

The diversity of materials used in these systems adds further challenges. “This is where our tools bring strong value,” Yeager said. “And with the integration, we can offer customers a holistic system design solution.” 

Powering the silicon ecosystem 

India isn’t just a customer base—it’s a key innovation engine. “Even before the acquisition, Ansys and Synopsys both had significant R&D operations in India,” Yeager said. As India expands its semiconductor value chain—from foundry projects like Tata-PSMC to the growth of OSATs—he sees simulation becoming central to every step. 

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