GPUs Power Ahead


GPUs, long a sideshow for CPUs, are suddenly the rising stars of the processor world. They are a first choice in everything from artificial intelligence systems to automotive ADAS applications and deep learning systems powered by [getkc id="261" kc_name="convolutional neural network"]. And they are still the mainstays of high-performance computing, gaming and scientific computation, to name ... » read more

System Bits: July 5


Computer vision for automated data collection Stanford University researchers have developed a computer vision system that automates the collection of data about the elements in buildings in order to streamline the remodeling or refurbishment of existing buildings, which can be fraught with delays and cost overruns due to hidden problems. Renovation projects live and die by the quality of i... » read more

The Week In Review: Design


Acquisitions Rambus acquired Inphi Corporation's Memory Interconnect Business, along with all its assets. Rambus CEO Ron Black seeks the $90 million cash deal boosting the company's position in the server, networking and data center market. The deal is expected to close during the third quarter of 2016. Numbers EDA and IP revenue increased 4.5% in Q1, a significant increase given the s... » read more

Looking Beyond Technology


The semiconductor industry is beginning to make real progress in deep learning and artificial intelligence, opening up bigger opportunities across more markets than have ever existed in the history of technology. But before this revolution goes much further, the industry also needs to step back and establish a set of guidelines about how this technology will be used. This is an entirely dif... » read more

EDA, IP Sales Up


EDA and IP revenue increased 4.5% in Q1, a significant increase given the semiconductor industry was flat last year and that EDA sales dropped 1.9% in Q4 of 2015. Total sales were $1.962 billion, up from $1.877 in Q1 of 2015. The big surprise, though, was Japan, which grew 12%. Japan's semiconductor business has been in a deep slump for several years. "It's been a long time since we've se... » read more

Winning Customer Loyalty


On the day that the Tesla Model 3 was announced, we (and by we I mean my wife, who graciously dedicated her time) stood in line to order a car we had never seen. That is quite the sign of trust in a car company. Buying a car is the second biggest cost behind buying a house and yet there we were putting down $1,000 for a car we had never seen. So what drove us and thousands of others – Tesl... » read more

The Secret To Good Comedy And SystemC Code Verification… Timing!


The High-Level Synthesis (HLS) of algorithmic code, usually written in SystemC, is steadily gaining ground. However, the verification of this code is still a somewhat mixed-up, ad-hoc process. The situation is improving as new techniques are applied, but it is clear that in-the-trenches evaluation of these solutions on real projects is more important right now than grand visions missing substan... » read more

Balancing Emulation And FPGA-Based Prototyping For Software Development


This year’s Design Automation Conference (DAC) has just finished and confirmed some of the trends I discussed in my last blog, “The Top Five Trends in Verification to Watch For at DAC 2016”, specifically when it comes to the set of connected engines, or “COVE” as Jim Hogan dubbed it. The Cadence Theater at DAC is always a good opportunity to listen to hands-on customer experiences, an... » read more

The UVM Configuration Database


When I want to wear a certain clothing item, I take out it of the closet. When I go shopping, I add those clothes it to my closet and there are now new items for me to pick out in the future. A database works much the same way, a collection of information that is stored and accessed on demand. Take the UVM configuration database for example. It basically acts as a repository so that when the... » read more

Power To The People (Right On…)


If you’re the right age (or older), you will immediately think of John Lennon when you read the title of this piece.  The song was released in 1971, so I will cut many of you some slack on that. The title was inspired by several pieces of research that I was fortunate enough to be exposed to this past week. I am currently in Vancouver, British Columbia at the NEWCAS conference. NEWCAS... » read more

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