The Week In Review: Design

Tools

Mentor Graphics added RF verification capabilities for wireless applications in the connected sensor and IoT markets to its Tanner design and layout suite. Mentor also integrated its Questa verification tool with the open-source Jenkins Continuous Integration and Source Code Management (CI/SCM) ecosystem. The plugin, a free download, gives Jenkins the ability to utilize regression run results through the Questa VRM system, in addition to managing and running their regressions through Jenkins.

IP

Newracom launched an ultra-low power ARM Core-based IEEE 802.11b/g/n MAC/PHY/full Wi-Fi subsystem and RFIC IP especially designed for IoT applications. The IP was designed on TSMC’s 40nm LP process and supports all the mandatory IEEE 802.11 b/g/n features.

Allegro DVT uncorked a new lightweight version of its multi-format encoder HW IP targeted at consumer applications with requirements for high quality video compression. The IP allows sharing of resources between different codecs and can be scaled to match the resolution of the target application. It supports video encoding to H.264/AVC or H.265/HEVC into resolutions up to 3840×2160@60fps.

CAST announced new HD video encoder IP for Motion JPEG Over IP. MJPEG provides a lower-power video solution than video codecs like H.264 when moderate levels of compression are required, said CAST, while requiring less silicon area and not requiring external DRAM memory for buffering frames.

Market Research

The worldwide IC market will grow by 4% next year, according to IC Insights. The research firm raised its IC market forecast for 2016 from a 2% decline to a 1% increase and its 2016 IC unit volume shipment growth rate forecast from 4% to 6%.  A large portion of this revision is due to a strengthening DRAM market.

Research and Markets is predicting the EDA for PCB and MCM market to grow at a CAGR of 3.27% during the period 2016-2020. One of the key drivers for market growth will be high investments in R&D, says the report.

Foundry Collaboration

Mentor’s Calibre now supports qualified reliability rule decks from UMC for its 28nm technology, including electrical reliability analysis that evaluates a variety of ESD protection features.

Education

ARM launched ARM Education Media, a subscription-based digital content hub offering Education Kits with interactive online courses and e-textbooks. The service is targeted at filling the gap between educational environments and new industry developments.