Synopsys buys software and engineering firm Optical Research Associates for undisclosed amount

Synopsys buys software firm Optical Research

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Synopsys Inc. on Thursday said it has acquired Optical Research Associates, a privately held optical design software and optical engineering services company.

It is the fifth acquisition announced this year by Synopsys, which makes chip testing and development software. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal closed Thursday.

Pasadena-based ORA was founded in 1963 and has customers in more than 25 countries. The acquisition is not expected to affect Synopsis’ financial results for the current fiscal year or next year.

ORA’s software is used to design and optimize applications that require light to be controlled or manipulated.

The acquisition represents Synopsys’ first move into markets associated with displays and solid state lighting using light emitting diodes. The company said the acquisition will also allow it to expand into markets such as semiconductor lithography equipment and cameras.

In March, Synopsys bought electronic systems design software developer CoWare. It closed its $315 million purchase of rival chip design software provider Virage Logic Corp. in September.

Shares of Synopsys closed Thursday trading up 20 cents at $24.93.

(This version CORRECTS it the fifth acquisition this year)