Analog’s Rising Status


As more sensors and actuators are added into electronic devices, pressure is growing to more seamlessly move data seamlessly back and forth between analog and digital circuitry. [getkc id="37" kc_name="Analog"] and digital always have fit rather uncomfortably together, and that discomfort has grown as [getkc id="81" kc_name="SoCs"] are built using smaller feature sizes. While digital transis... » read more

Ensure Robust Encryption With CAVP Validation For FIPS 140-2 Conformance


Cryptographic algorithms are mathematical procedures used to implement security protocols in today’s devices and communication infrastructure. Designers must validate their cryptographic algorithm implementations through certification by regulatory bodies, such as Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to ensure accuracy ... » read more

Reflecting Back on 2016: Markets


Anyone can make a prediction, and sometimes the more outlandish they are the more they get noticed. But at the end of the year some people hit the mark while others may have been way off. Many people simply make projections based on the current trajectory of trends, while others look for the potential discontinuities that may lie ahead. Semiconductor Engineering examines the projections made... » read more

Assessing ESD Sensitivity Of Interface IP Using Charged Device Model


An electronic device is susceptible to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) damage during its entire life cycle, especially from the completion of the silicon wafer processing to when the device is assembled in the system. The most commonly used ESD test models are the Human Body Model (HBM) and the Charged Device Model (CDM). Both models assess the ESD sensitivity of a device, however due to the rapi... » read more

Timing Closure Issues Resurface


Timing closure has resurfaced as a major challenge at 10nm and 7nm due to more features and power modes, increased process variation and other manufacturing-related issues. While timing-related problems are roughly correlated to rising complexity in semiconductors, they tend to generate problems in waves—about once per decade. In SoCs, timing closure problems have spawned entire methodolog... » read more

Blog Review: Dec. 7


Mentor's Harry Foster looks at verification results findings in terms of schedules, number of required spins, and classification of functional bugs, in the latest installment of the Wilson Research Group verification study. Cadence's Paul McLellan provides an overview of the portable stimulus standard currently being worked on at Accellera. Synopsys' Anika Malhotra checks out JESD204B, a ... » read more

The Right Kind Of Fun


A couple of weeks ago I went to see “Together Again At Last…For The Very First Time” by John Cleese and Eric Idle at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. I hope all of you recognize both gentlemen as two members of Monty Python. As you can imagine, it was quite an exciting night. With the audience being Monty Python fanatics, every video clip or skit was received with a lot ... » read more

The Week In Review: Manufacturing


Manufacturing There are more changes at SEMI. SEMI has named David Anderson as president of the SEMI Americas region. Most recently, Anderson was chief executive and chairman of Novati, a specialty manufacturing fab. He replaces Karen Savala, who was president of the SEMI Americas region for six years. In an e-mail, Savala confirmed she left SEMI in October. Meanwhile, in October, SEMI an... » read more

The Week In Review: Design


Deals Kilopass extended its deal with ICScape, which makes a Parallel SPICE simulator, for eNVM IP at advanced finFET nodes. Kilopass has been working with ICScape for the past couple of years as part of its qualification methodology. IP Silvaco released three MIPI I3C sensor controller IP cores. Developed with NXP to push adoption of I3C, the new products are an Advanced Slave core wi... » read more

Can Startups Solve Today’s Automotive Challenges?


When asked about the most pressing concerns today amongst automotive customers, some leading industry suppliers had the following to say: Samer Hijazi, senior design engineering architect, IP Group at Cadence: How fast can I deploy? Ron DiGiuseppe, Senior Strategic Marketing Manager at Synopsys: Our customers are very broadly requiring ISO26262 safety compliance in our products as well a... » read more

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