A Brief History of Synopsys

A Brief History of Synopsys
by Daniel Nenni on 12-12-2012 at 1:00 pm

One of the largest software companies in the world, Synopsys is a market and technology leader in the development and sale of electronic design automation (EDA) tools and semiconductor intellectual property (IP). Synopsys is also a strong supporter of local education through the Synopsys Outreach Foundation. Each year in multiple… Read More


HP Loses Its Autonomy!

HP Loses Its Autonomy!
by Daniel Nenni on 12-09-2012 at 9:00 pm

HP buys Autonomy for $11B then does an $8.8B writedown?!?!?! Was HP swindled by Autonomy? As a long time HP customer I’m outraged by this behavior. Not just the over priced acquisition but the behavior of HP on a whole! Even today 4 of the 6 laptops in my house are HP as are my printers. How am I supposed to buy HP products with a straight … Read More


Apple Will NOT Manufacture SoCs at Intel

Apple Will NOT Manufacture SoCs at Intel
by Daniel Nenni on 12-09-2012 at 5:00 pm

The internet is a funny place where rumors are true and truths are rumors. The latest one has Apple using Intel as a foundry. This is fuel for the rivalry between SemiWiki blogger Ed McKernan and me. Ed says Apple will use Intel, I say Apple will use TSMC, we have a very expensive dinner riding on this one.

TSMC falls on possible competitionRead More


A Brief History of the Fabless Semiconductor Ecosystem

A Brief History of the Fabless Semiconductor Ecosystem
by Daniel Nenni on 12-05-2012 at 7:00 pm

Clearly the fabless semiconductor ecosystem is driving the semiconductor industry and is responsible for both the majority of the innovation and the sharp decline in consumer electronics costs we have experienced. By definition, a fabless semiconductor company does not have to spend the time and money on manufacturing related… Read More


Tanner EDA Tops 1,200 Active Customers!

Tanner EDA Tops 1,200 Active Customers!
by Daniel Nenni on 11-22-2012 at 8:33 pm

It is always nice to see when an EDA company grows organically, versus inorganically by acquiring friends and foes. It is also nice to see when an EDA company invests in the fabless semiconductor ecosystem because, as we know, we are all in this together.

Tanner EDA celebrated its 25th anniversary this year by adding 149 new customers… Read More


Is The Fabless Semiconductor Ecosystem at Risk?

Is The Fabless Semiconductor Ecosystem at Risk?
by Daniel Nenni on 11-18-2012 at 6:00 pm

Ever since the failed Intel PR stunt where Mark Bohr suggested that the fabless semiconductor ecosystem was collapsing I have been researching and writing about it. The results will be a book co-authored by Paul McLellan. You may have noticed the “Brief History of” blogs on SemiWiki which basically outline the book. If not, start… Read More


Analog FastSPICE AMS — Simple, Fast, nm-Accurate Mixed-Signal Verification

Analog FastSPICE AMS — Simple, Fast, nm-Accurate Mixed-Signal Verification
by Daniel Nenni on 11-12-2012 at 7:00 pm


Verification and AMS are top search terms on SemiWiki so clearly designers have a pressing need for fast and accurate verification of today’s mixed-signal SoCs that include massive digital blocks and precision analog/RF circuits. They need simulation performance to verify the mixed-signal functionality, and they need nanometer… Read More


TSMC Financial Update Q4 2012!

TSMC Financial Update Q4 2012!
by Daniel Nenni on 11-11-2012 at 4:00 pm

The weather in Taiwan last week was very nice, not too hot but certainly not cold. The same could be said for the TSM stock which broke $16 after the October financial report where TSMC reported a sales increase of 15% over September. Revenues for this year thus far increased 19% over last year so why isn’t TSM stock at $20 like I predicted… Read More


Solido and TSMC for 6-Sigma Memory Design

Solido and TSMC for 6-Sigma Memory Design
by Daniel Nenni on 11-06-2012 at 8:30 pm

Solido Design Automation and TSMC recently published an article in EE Times describing how Solido’s High-Sigma Monte Carlo tool is used with TSMC PDK’s to achieve high-yield, high-performance memory design. This project has been a big part of my life for the past three years and it is time for a victory lap!

In TSMC 28nm, 20nm and … Read More


16nm FinFET versus 20nm Planar!

16nm FinFET versus 20nm Planar!
by Daniel Nenni on 11-04-2012 at 8:10 pm

The common theme amongst semiconductor ecosystem conferences this year is FinFETS, probably the most exciting technology we will see this decade. A lot has been written on SemiWiki about FinFETS, it is one of the top trending search terms, but there is some confusion about the process naming so let me attempt to explain.

In planar… Read More