The Trouble With Triples—Part 2


In my last blog, we started to look at some of the challenges of triple patterning (TP) compared to double patterning (DP). In particular, we looked at the algorithmic complexity of determining if a valid coloring solution exists, and if so, producing a three-mask decomposition. This time, let’s look into the challenges of what to do if a layout is not legally decomposable into three colors. ... » read more

Blog Review: Jan. 22


Mentor’s Anil Khanna believes Nest’s approach should be incorporated into the entire power grid. The ramifications of that are interesting to ponder. Speaking of Nest, Cadence’s Brian Fuller looks at the implications of the $3.2 billion acquisition of the company by Google. Will Google get it right? Maybe. Synopsys’ Richard Solomon has come up with a new definition for New Year’... » read more

An Automated Resource Management System To Improve Production Tapeout Turn-Around Time


n today’s semiconductor industry, both the pure-play and independent device manufacturer (IDM) foundries are constantly and rigorously competing for market share. A key feature in their success is the ability to meet or exceed aggressive time-to-market schedules. Leading foundry Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) aims to ensure continual improvement in its fab’s tu... » read more

Week In Review: System-Level Design


Cadence rolled out a new version of its functional verification platform, greatly improving performance and updating it to deal with the big increases in third-party and re-used IP in designs. For IP and block verification, the company said it increased formal analysis performance by up to 20% and simulation by up to 10 times. The debugger also reduces the database size by 10 times and the time... » read more

Which IP Is Better?


As the amount of third-party and re-used IP in a semiconductor increases, so do the number of questions about which possible IP choices perform better, use the least power, or work best with other components. So far, there is no simple way to make that choice. In most cases, this is simply splitting hairs. For all the IP that goes into designs, the bulk of it is chosen based on how often has... » read more

Performance Still Trumps Power


When it comes to technology, the past was always simpler than the present and the future looks daunting. In part, this is because finding a solution to a problem allows us to discover the next problem. Over time, the previous problem becomes more understood and solutions improve to the point where it is no longer considered a problem. It was a fairly easy choice about how to implement functiona... » read more

The Road Ahead For 2014


Semiconductor Engineering asked several thought leaders in the industry about the market drivers that are affecting their product planning operations for 2014. While almost everyone sees mobile devices continuing to be the major driver during 2014, there are some emerging areas that may start to have a larger impact. This article takes a look at some of those and the impacts they could have on ... » read more

The Integrated IP Subsystem: A Converging SoC Solution


The consumer device market is witnessing incredible market space convergence between mobile handheld, automotive, and home electronics. IP vendors, engineers, and system design engineers face a multitude of challenges when designing and developing ICs, systems, or subsystems for the next great portable device. The next cell phone for instance, will not only be a multimedia player, but also a ... » read more

Blog Review: Jan. 15


Mentor’s Colin Walls digs into safety-critical sensors for cars, which are essential to the operation of a variety of systems in vehicles. The number of redundant sensors increases proportionate to the risk from failure, something that has been an accepted practice in mil/aero markets for years. Cadence’s Brian Fuller gazes into a crystal ball and concludes that while the semiconductor i... » read more

EDA And IP Revenue Up Again


The EDA and IP market showed continued growth again in Q3 of 2013, according to just-released statistics from the EDA Consortium. Total revenue was $1.729 billion, up 6.8% from the $1.619 billion reported in the same period in 2012. Wally Rhines, board sponsor for EDAC’s Market Statistics Service and chairman and CEO of Mentor Graphics, said the numbers showed stability and growth, but no ... » read more

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