System Level Power Integrity Verification For Multi-Core Microprocessors With FIVR


A technical paper titled "A Compressed Multivariate Macromodeling Framework for Fast Transient Verification of System-Level Power Delivery Networks" was published by researchers at Politecnico di Torino and Intel Corporation. Abstract: This paper discusses a reduced-order modeling and simulation approach for fast transient power integrity verification at full system level. The reference str... » read more

Covert Channel Between the CPU and An FPGA By Modulating The Usage of the Power Distribution Network


A new technical paper titled "CPU to FPGA Power Covert Channel in FPGA-SoCs" was published by researchers at TU Munich and Fraunhofer Research Institution AISEC. Abstract: "FPGA-SoCs are a popular platform for accelerating a wide range of applications due to their performance and flexibility. From a security point of view, these systems have been shown to be vulnerable to various attacks... » read more

On-Chip Power Distribution Modeling Becomes Essential Below 7nm


Modeling power distribution in SoCs is becoming increasingly important at each new node and in 3D-ICs, where tolerances involving power are much tighter and any mistake can cause functional failures. At mature nodes, where there is more metal, power problems continue to be rare. But at advanced nodes, where chips are running at higher frequencies and still consuming the same or greater power... » read more

How Semiconductor Solutions Address Safety Requirements Of Future Power Distribution Networks In Autonomous Vehicles


Open up the bonnet of any modern automobile and many of us would be hard-pressed to find anything that we could fix ourselves. With pipes and cables almost artistically integrated into the engine bay, and sleek plastic covers fitted everywhere, there is very little that can still be recognized, yet alone repaired. Perhaps the only location where we feel comfortable is the “fuse box”, or pow... » read more

Designing Ultra Low Power AI Processors


AI chip design is beginning to shift direction as more computing moves to the edge, adding a level of sophistication and functionality that typically was relegated to the cloud, but in a power envelope compatible with a battery. These changes leverage many existing tools, techniques and best practices for chip design. But they also are beginning to incorporate a variety of new approaches tha... » read more

Extending The IC Roadmap


An Steegen, executive vice president of semiconductor technology and systems at Imec, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to discuss IC scaling and chip packaging. Imec is working on next-generation transistors, but it is also developing several new technologies for IC packaging, such as a proprietary silicon bridge, a cooling technology and packaging modules. What follows are excerpts of t... » read more

How Switching Activity Impacts A Design’s Power And Reliability


Electronics continue to gain presence in both familiar and unfamiliar areas of our lives. Electronics is a common thread among the cars we drive, the computers we use, the mobile phones and wearable devices that we rely on. We appreciate the information and convenience that Fitbits and other products such as coffee makers, credit cards and building security cards provide us. And we are beginni... » read more