Efficient Verification Of Mixed-Signal SerDes IP Using UVM


Interface IP is an integral part of systems-on-chips (SoC) that include mobile, automotive, or networking applications and are primarily used for transmitting data over a physical medium between a host and device. The mixed-signal nature of the IP makes verification a challenging task, requiring special considerations for digital and analog sections. This paper describes a robust mixed-signal v... » read more

Linux Security Primer: SELinux And SMACK Frameworks


With the increased expansion of the IoT, software developers are called upon to do more to protect their devices from malicious attacks. Building a secure system involves many components and layers of security. This paper offers an introductory review of two popular Linux security frameworks: SELinux and SMACK. Readers will gain an understanding of these two frameworks and when to best implemen... » read more

Synthesis Of Energy-Efficient FSMs Implemented In PLD Circuits


The paper presents an outline of a simple synthesis method of energy-efficient FSMs. The idea consists in using local clock gating to selectively block the clock signal, if no transition of a state of a memory element is required. The research was dedicated to logic circuits using Programmable Logic Devices as the implementation platform, but the conclusions can be applied to any synchronous ci... » read more

Blog Review: Sept. 27


Synopsys' Mukul Dawar highlights the biggest changes coming to the PCIe 4.0 specification, plus a peek at what's new in PCIe 5.0. Cadence's Paul McLellan considers why EDA startups are less common than they used to be. Mentor's David Abercrombie and Alex Pearson discuss new requirements for detecting double patterning errors at advanced nodes. Rambus' Aharon Etengoff reports that secur... » read more

System Bits: Sept. 26


Spectroscopic science camera While the latest versions of most smartphones contain at least two and sometimes three built-in cameras, researchers at the University of Illinois would like to convince mobile device manufactures to add yet another image sensor as a built-in capability for health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and general-purpose color sensing applications.   This comes... » read more

EDA, IP Sales Strong Again


EDA and IP revenues increased 9.8% to $2.21 billion in Q2, up from $2.01 billion in the same period in 2016, according to just-released statistics from the Electronic System Design (ESD) Alliance. The numbers point to strength in traditional semiconductor markets, as well as growth in new areas and new approaches to chip design. For example, PCB/multi-chip modules revenue was $195.4 million... » read more

The Week In Review: Design


M&A Synopsys acquired materials modeling company QuantumWise. QuantumWise tools focus on atomic-scale modeling of nanostructures using quantum-mechanical computational methods, classical potentials, and electrostatic models. Based in Denmark, the company was started in 2008 when it acquired the assets of Atomistix. The technology will be integrated with Synopsys' Sentaurus TCAD. Terms of t... » read more

Blog Review: Sept. 20


Mentor's Jeff Miller warns that MEMS accelerometers are vulnerable to takeover using specially constructed sound waves, as demonstrated in a new paper. Synopsys' Pooja Gupta and Srinivas Vijayaragavan explain some major technology updates in SAS 24G with a look at Binary primitives, Extended Binary primitives and primitive parameters. Cadence's Paul McLellan shares highlights from TSMC's ... » read more

System Bits: Sept. 19


Novel quantum computing architecture invented University of New South Wales researchers have invented what they say is a radical new architecture for quantum computing, based on ‘flip-flop qubits,’ that promises to make the large-scale manufacture of quantum chips dramatically easier. [caption id="attachment_319384" align="alignnone" width="300"] Artist's impression of flip-flop qubit e... » 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

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