November 3, 2006 -- Electronic system level (ESL) has frequently been characterized as the new frontier in the EDA industry as we move to higher levels of abstraction and advanced automation. However, there have been few companies able to deliver solutions that offer the ease of adoption, robustness, and measurable value necessary to support a sustained, profitable business. This is mostly because the ESL "definition" itself has remained ambiguous, causing many to wonder — what really is ESL and will it ever deliver on its promises?

By Steve Glaser. (Glaser is the corporate vice president of marketing for verification at Cadence Design Systems, Inc.)