Have Processor Counts Stalled?


Survey data suggests that additional microprocessor cores are not being added into SoCs, but you have to dig into the numbers to find out what is really going on. The reasons are complicated. They include everything from software programming models to market shifts and new use cases. So while the survey numbers appear to be flat, market and technology dynamics could have a big impact in resh... » read more

Verification Of Multi-Cycle Paths And False Paths


All chip designers know that they must take special care to avoid metastability problems when they have multiple, asynchronous clock domains. In contrast, a design in which all clocks are synchronous may appear simple. Logic synthesis ensures that the shortest paths between registers don’t have races and that the longest paths fit within the target cycle time. However, single-clock design is ... » read more

New Uses For Assertions


Assertions have been a staple in formal verification for years. Now they are being examined to see what else they can be used for, and the list is growing. Traditionally, design and verification engineers have used assertions in specific ways. First, there are assertions for formal verification, which are used by designers to show when something is wrong. Those assertions help to pinpoint wh... » read more

Defining Processor Core Complexity


The more complex a processor core, the larger the area and power consumption. But increasing complexity is not a single dimension, as processors can be more complex in different ways. In selecting a processor IP core, it is important to choose the right sort of complexity for your project. Some ways of thinking about complexity include: Word length Execution units Privilege/prot... » read more

Importance Of A Functional Verification Methodology


A good functional verification methodology is extremely crucial to the success of any semiconductor design project. Missed or late bugs can massively hurt market share, revenue, and brand name even for reputed companies. The complexity of SoC designs along with tight time-to-market constraints demand high levels of efficiency in the verification process. The approach to verify the functional... » read more

Productivity Keeping Pace With Complexity


Designs have become larger and more complex and yet design time has shortened, but team sizes remain essentially flat. Does this show that productivity is keeping pace with complexity for everyone? The answer appears to be yes, at least for now, for a multitude of reasons. More design and IP reuse is using more and larger IP blocks and subsystems. In addition, the tools are improving, and mo... » read more

Creating Domain-Specific Processors Using Custom RISC-V ISA Instructions


When System-on-Chip (SoC) developers include processors in their designs, they face choices in solving their computational challenges. Complex SoCs will usually have a variety of processor cores responsible for varied functions such as running the main application programs, communications, signal processing, security, and managing storage. Traditionally, such cores have been in distinct categor... » read more

Increase LVS Verification Productivity In Early Design Cycles


With the innovative Calibre nmLVS-Recon early verification tool, designers can run targeted short isolation analysis and debugging on blocks, macros and chips in early design phases. The Calibre nmLVS-Recon short isolation use model focuses on fast, efficient, prioritized short isolation and short paths debugging. To read more, click here. » read more

Blog Review: Sept. 23


Arm's Matthew Mattina introduces a method to reduce the cost of neural network inference by combining both low-precision representation and the complexity-reducing Winograd transform while maintaining accuracy. Cadence's Paul McLellan checks out some of the biggest machine learning systems from Nvidia, Google, and Cerebras that were presented at the recent Hot Chips. Mentor's Robin Bornof... » read more

Formal Solutions For SystemC/C++ Verification


OneSpin Solutions provides its popular 360 DV formal verification product line, which allows for both the automated checking and full assertion-based verification of SystemC/C++ design representations. This solution extends the verification capability that may be applied to abstract designs, coded in SystemC/C++ for many different use models. This white paper describes the OneSpin solution a... » read more

← Older posts Newer posts →