ML-Based Third-Party IP Trust Verification Framework (U. of Florida, U. of Kansas)


A technical paper titled "Hardware IP Assurance against Trojan Attacks with Machine Learning and Post-processing" was published by researchers at University of Florida and University of Kansas. Abstract: "System-on-chip (SoC) developers increasingly rely on pre-verified hardware intellectual property (IP) blocks often acquired from untrusted third-party vendors. These IPs might contain hidd... » read more

Trust Is Not A Good Feeling


As a society, we trust in a lot of things in order for our daily lives to proceed. Trust is embedded in our lives. We trust in everything from the products we use to our relationships we have to our government. But when our trust is broken or shaken in something or someone, it is hard very hard for to for us to have confidence in that something or someone again. If we apply the concept to of... » read more

ML, Edge Drive IP To Outperform Broader Chip Market


The market for third-party semiconductor IP is surging, spurred by the need for more specific capabilities across a wide variety of markets. While the IP industry is not immune to steep market declines in semiconductor industry, it does have more built-in resilience than other parts of the industry. Case in point: The top 15 semiconductor suppliers were hit with an 18% decline in 2019 first-... » read more

Opposites Attract: IP Standardization vs. Customization


Have you had a look lately at an autonomous driving SoC? Have you noticed, besides the cool machine learning stuff, the grocery list of third-party IP that goes into it? It is a long, long list, composed of pieces both big and small and quite diverse. For example, interface and peripheral PHYs and controllers, memories, on-chip interconnects, PVT monitors and PLLs. In some highly-publicized exa... » read more

Version Control


By Ed Sperling & Ann Steffora Mutschler One of the biggest impediments to progress in semiconductor design is progress itself—version after version of specifications, formats and increasingly IP. In fact, there are so many different versions, some of which conflict directly with each other, that it may take months or even years before some customers adopt new products. Much has ... » read more