Intelligent Coverage Optimization: Verification Closure In Hyperdrive


Coverage dominates every aspect of verification for today’s complex IP and chip designs. Coverage metrics provide critical feedback on what has been verified and what has not, especially when automated stimulus generation techniques are used. All modern hardware design and verification languages include constructs for functional coverage specification and support a range of structural coverag... » read more

The Road To Osmosis


It’s happening. Some may have speculated that, with the acquisition of OneSpin by Siemens, the OneSpin user group meeting, more commonly known as Osmosis, would be formally (pun intended) absorbed into a larger Siemens event. Well, I’m here to tell you that Osmosis is officially on the books and will continue to focus on the specific area of formal verification. The team has been working di... » read more

Leveraging Symbolic Simulations For IO Verification


IO libraries and interface IPs are an important part of any integrated circuit design that needs to communicate with the outside world or other integrated circuits. Interface IPs are the literal gatekeepers to the flow of logical and electrical information from one IC to another to form today’s complex computer systems, influencing almost every aspect of our lives these days. Interface IPs (e... » read more

Using IP-XACT To Solve Design And Verification Problems


As today’s SoC designs grow more complex and time-to-market (TTM) pressures rise, designers are looking for techniques to build and update designs easily. Key elements for addressing these SoC challenges include the incorporation of more commercial IP components, internal design IP reuse, and extensive automation of design and verification activities. Enhanced interoperability and reusability... » read more

Accelerating Verification Shift Left With Intelligent Coverage Optimization


Functional verification dominates semiconductor development, consuming the largest percentage of project time and resources. Team members look at the rate of design bug discovery, consider anecdotal information on the types of bugs that escaped to silicon in previous projects, and use their best judgment based on their years of experience to determine when to tape out. Above all, they look at v... » read more

Containing The Explosion In Data


The amount of data that could be kept for every design is gargantuan, but even that may not be enough these days as lifecycle management, continuous verification, regulatory requirements, and globalization add to the data that needs to be stored. But data has no value if it cannot be found or used in ways that provide more benefit than the cost of storing it. "Data management is not unique t... » read more

Automated ESD Protection Verification For 2.5D And 3D ICs


While automated flows for ESD protection verification are well-established for 2D ICs, 2.5D and 3D designs present new challenges in both ESD circuit design and verification. Advanced automated ESD verification methodology accurately and effectively evaluates ESD protection in 2.5/3D IC designs. Ensuring correct and consistent ESD protection in 2.5/3D ICs raises the reliability and product life... » read more

The Shortest Path Deception


When manufacturing, assembling, and using integrated circuit (IC) chips, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) caused by accumulated static can damage the IC circuitry if the circuit is not properly protected [1]. To prevent such damage, ESD protection devices are designed into the circuitry such that they will create a low impedance path that limits the peak voltage and current by diverting excess... » read more

Shortest Resistance Path Deception In ESD Protection Circuit P2P Debug


Verifying and fixing ESD protection circuit violations is an essential step in tapeout sign-off flows for today’s IC chip designs. As one of the most commonly used ESD verification flows, the point to point (P2P) flow checks the resistances of ESD discharge paths in layout designs to ensure they are within design thresholds. However, when debugging P2P violations, information such as the shor... » read more

A New Vision For Memory Chip Design And Verification


Discrete memory chips are arguably the most visible reminder of the opportunities and challenges for advanced semiconductor design. They are manufactured in huge quantities, becoming key drivers for new technology nodes and new fabrication processes. Price fluctuations have a major impact on the financial health of the electronics industry, and any shortages can shut down the manufacturing line... » read more

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