A New Approach To Design-Stage Layout Optimization Can Speed Time To Tapeout While Improving Power Management


The right tool for the job makes all the difference. Ever try hammering a nail in with a rock? How many nails did you ruin before you gave up? Or try to tighten a crucial bolt by hand? It takes forever, and you just can’t tighten it enough, so everything’s still kind of wobbly? Yeah, that’s kind of what it’s like trying to use an electronic design automation (EDA) tool to do a job it’... » read more

A Buyers Guide To An NPU


Choosing the right AI inference NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a critical decision for a chip architect. There’s a lot at stake because as the AI landscape constantly changes, the choices will impact overall product cost, performance, and long-term viability. There are myriad options regarding system architecture and IP suppliers, and this can be daunting for even the most seasoned semicondu... » read more

(Vision) Transformers: Rise Of The Chimera


It’s 2023 and transformers are having a moment. No, I’m not talking about the latest installment of the Transformers movie franchise, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"; I’m talking about the deep learning model architecture class, transformers, that is fueling anticipation, excitement, fear, and investment in AI. Transformers are not so new in the world of AI anymore; they were first ... » read more

Exploring The World Of Flash Memory: Serial, Dual, Quad, And Octal Interface


By Dharini SubashChandran and Manoj Kachadiya In the world of digital data storage, flash memory has become an indispensable technology. Flash memory devices are non-volatile storage solutions that can retain data even without power. They are widely used in various applications, including smartphones, digital cameras, USB drives, and solid-state drives (SSDs). In this blog post, we will delv... » read more

LPDDR5X: High Bandwidth, Power Efficient Performance For Mobile & Beyond


Looking back over recent history in the memory landscape, we can clearly see a trend of new applications growing sufficiently large enough to command the creation of new memory technologies tailored to their specific needs. We saw this with the creation of GDDR for graphics and later HBM for AI/ML applications. Low-Power Double Data Rate (LPDDR) emerged as a specialized memory designed for mobi... » read more

Fast Time-To-Digital Converters As Ultra-Precise Stopwatches For Quantum Technologies


Quantum technologies enable versatile novel applications in modern engineering topics such as information processing, communication or sensing. In particular, photonic quantum technologies are an innovative field of development which, based on the quantization of light, implements a qubit for example in the polarization or phase of a single photon, or in other degrees of freedom of the electrom... » read more

Using Virtual Metal Fill To Solve Real Design Problems


People learning about semiconductor manufacturing might well be confused by the concept of metal fill. It seems perfectly intuitive that laying out a complex chip will result in some regions with fewer transistors and metal interconnect than others. It makes sense that there will be areas that are mostly empty. So why spend money on more complicated masks and on extra metal just to fill those e... » read more

How To Answer Five Common Questions About Power Module Current Density


Power module current density is an important factor in determining the efficiency and performance of power modules. This article answers five common questions about power module current density so you can make informed decisions when designing a power module for your application. 1. How many wire bonds are required? Generally, a higher current density requires an increased number of w... » read more

4 Ways To Design More Reliable Automotive Electronics


From engine management systems (fuel injection rate, emissions control, cooling systems) and autonomous controls (lane, speed, park assist, adaptive cruise control) to infotainment systems and comfort systems (climate control, electronic seat adjustment, automatic wipers, etc.), the modern-day gas-powered and electric vehicles have more electronic devices than ever. Indeed, the microprocessors ... » read more

How To Address The Top 5 Silicon Startup Challenges


From our 30 years of experience, Arm understands that designing silicon can be complex and expensive. Against the backdrop of global supply chain issues and wider economic challenges, today’s climate can be challenging for the tech industry, particularly those creating the next wave of silicon products. Startups are looking for every opportunity to maximize their success with their first t... » read more

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