Finite State Machine Synthesis In Programmable Circuits


Well, summer has been and gone; and for most of us it was a time to relax and reflect on our working practices. What can we do to achieve better results? And what can we do to break out of the routine of working on so many revisions? For me, one of my summer break ponderings was thinking back on a trick I learned while working with my colleagues at the Silesian University of Technology. C... » read more

Making Software Development Equivalent For Models And Boards


Selected Cortex-M processors include the instruction trace microcell (ITM) to help understand system behavior. Although it can provide other types of trace, the ITM is commonly associated with printf() output and event tracing from applications and operating systems. Historically, Fast Model systems have used semihosting or UART models to provide character and file I/O when running software on ... » read more

Talking The Talk On Training


In my prior post, I discussed the value of good design flow training. A properly executed program can turn average engineers into above average problem solvers with the right tools and techniques. We got to thinking about this opportunity quite seriously at eSilicon. Is there a way to develop a focused, intense training program to create a new “army” of elite designers? In short, we thin... » read more

DVCon Europe Takes Over Munich October 16-17


DVCon Europe is on the horizon, and this year's program should prove to be very timely. Chips and systems are getting more complex, verification is becoming more difficult, and formal has emerged as a critical piece of the verification suite The lineup this year tackles some key issues facing a changing semiconductor landscape. During a Monday tutorial, “Next Generation ISO 26262-based De... » read more

The Race To Autonomous Cars


To say that the race for autonomous transportation has been heating up would be a gross understatement. By now all, companies that aim to be leaders, or at least want a piece of the action have already established their presence. Some in a successful way, while others not so much. This is not a race that can be won by sprinting alone. It is a team relay where partnerships have to be formed, ... » read more

Are You Designing The Right Product?


Development and production of SoCs is becoming more and more complex and expensive. And rightfully so, the semiconductor industry spends billions of dollars on verification efforts. Verification is about checking the design behaves per its specification, a process that is very important and well understood. Still, something can go terribly wrong because having a verified SoC does not guarant... » read more

Avoiding Traffic Jams In SoC Design


While sitting in a traffic jam on the way to work, I realized that the sheer volume of vehicles on the road exceeds the capacity originally planned for by civil engineers, when highways first hit the drawing boards 50 or 60 years ago. It dawned on me that there is a parallel to today’s System-on-Chip design—engineers are struggling to close timing on the interconnect during the back-end pla... » read more

Collaborative Multi-Board System Design


Designing electronic systems has become measurably more complex during the past decade. Many of the products that are developed today are in-fact complex interconnected systems. Using the automotive market as an example, the first level of a system is an element; an individual component or sub-assembly that is designed to be part of a larger collaborating function. At the next level is the sub-... » read more

The Semiconductor Industry’s Big Opportunity


Safety critical device development, particularly in the automotive electronics space, has the attention of the entire semiconductor industry. Not surprising, since next-generation cars represent the biggest opportunity yet since mobile devices. However, what’s less obvious are the various phases of this megatrend that represent real convergence from many specializations. Traditional automo... » read more

Training As A Strategic Weapon


In my last post, I discussed the topic of applying machine learning to the design of machine learning chips. I pointed out that one can achieve significant improvements in schedule predictability, PPA compliance and an overall reduction in program risk if machine learning is applied to the right kind of knowledge base. This is very real, and we are seeing the benefits of this approach daily. Bu... » read more

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