Cadence is accused of violating export controls by illegally selling chip design software and hardware to front companies representing China’s National University of Defence Technology (NUDT).
NUDT’s supercomputers are thought to support nuclear explosive simulation and military simulation activities, according to US Commerce Department notices restricting shipments to the university.
San Jose, California-based Cadence noted a charge related to the legal proceedings in its quarterly results, also released on Monday. In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it was “pleased” to reach settlements with the justice and commerce departments.
Cadence shares rose 6.5 per cent after it posted the news and its quarterly results.

The deal, which comes as the US and China meet for new trade talks, shows the US is still willing to enforce export controls on China, even as it relaxes some of the restrictions as part of negotiations.