Die-to-Die Interconnects using Bunch of Wires (BoW)

Die-to-Die Interconnects using Bunch of Wires (BoW)
by Daniel Payne on 09-21-2022 at 10:00 am

BoW min

Chiplets are a popular and trending topic in the semiconductor trade press, and I read about  SoC disaggregation at shows like ISSCC, Hot Chips, DAC and others. Once an SoC is disaggregated, the next challenge is deciding on the die-to-die interconnect approach. The Open Compute Project (OCP) started 10 years ago as a way to share… Read More


Machine Learning in the Fab at #59DAC

Machine Learning in the Fab at #59DAC
by Daniel Payne on 09-14-2022 at 8:00 am

Virtual Metrology min

It used to be true that a foundry or fab would create a set of DRC files, provide them to designers, and then the process yield would be acceptable, however if the foundry knows more details about the physical implementation of IC designs then they can improve the yield. Using a digital twin of the design, process and metrology steps… Read More


IC Layout Symmetry Challenges

IC Layout Symmetry Challenges
by Daniel Payne on 08-29-2022 at 10:00 am

1D symmetry

Many types of designs, including analog designs, MEMs, and image sensors, require electrically matched configurations. This symmetry has a huge impact on the robustness of the design across process variations, and its performance. Having an electrically matched layout basically means having a symmetric layout. To check … Read More


Automating and Optimizing an ADC with Layout Generators

Automating and Optimizing an ADC with Layout Generators
by Daniel Payne on 08-24-2022 at 10:00 am

Layout Geneator tool flow min

I first got involved with layout generators back in 1982 while at Intel, and about 10% of a GPU was automatically generated using some code that I wrote. It was an easy task for one engineer to complete, because the circuits were digital, and no optimization was required. In an IEEE paper from the 2022 18th International ConferenceRead More


Fast EM/IR Analysis, a new EDA Category

Fast EM/IR Analysis, a new EDA Category
by Daniel Payne on 08-09-2022 at 6:00 am

IR Drop min

I’ve watched the SPICE market segment into multiple approaches, like: Classic SPICE, Parallel SPICE, FastSPICE and Analog FastSPICE. In a similar fashion the same thing just happened to EM/IR analysis, because after years of waiting we finally have a different approach to EM/IR analysis that works at the top-level of … Read More


EDA in the Cloud with Siemens EDA at #59DAC

EDA in the Cloud with Siemens EDA at #59DAC
by Daniel Payne on 08-01-2022 at 10:00 am

craig johnson

Tuesday at DAC I had the pleasure of attending the Design on Cloud Theatre where experts from Siemens EDA gave an update on what they’ve been offering to IC and systems designers. I remember attending a cloud presentation from Craig Johnson in 2021, so I was keen to note what had changed in the past 12 months.

Industry Trends,

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Axiomise at #59DAC, Formal Update

Axiomise at #59DAC, Formal Update
by Daniel Payne on 07-27-2022 at 10:00 am

Dr. Ashish Darbari min 1

Monday at DAC I was able to meet with Dr. Ashish Darbari, the CEO and founder of Axiomise. Ashish had a busy DAC, appearing as a panelist at,  “Those Darn Bugs! When Will They be Exterminated for Good?”; and then presenting,  “Taming the Beast: RISC-V Formal Verification Made Easy.”

I had read a bit about Axiomise… Read More


Calibre, Google and AMD Talk about Surge Compute at #59DAC

Calibre, Google and AMD Talk about Surge Compute at #59DAC
by Daniel Payne on 07-25-2022 at 10:00 am

Google Cloud vendor of the year min

In 2022 using the cloud for EDA tasks is a popular topic, and at DAC this year I could see a bigger presence from the cloud hardware vendors in the exhibit area, along with a growing stampede of EDA companies. Tuesday at DAC there was a luncheon with experts from Siemens EDA, Google and AMD talking about surge compute. I already knew Michael… Read More


New Mixed-Signal Simulation Features from Siemens EDA at DAC

New Mixed-Signal Simulation Features from Siemens EDA at DAC
by Daniel Payne on 07-13-2022 at 10:00 am

Symphony Pro for mixed-signal verification

It’s the second day of DAC, and the announcements are coming in at a fast pace, so stay tuned to SemiWiki for all of the latest details. As a long-time SPICE user and industry follower, I’ve witnessed the progression as EDA vendors have connected their SPICE simulators to digital simulators, opening up a bigger world… Read More


What’s New With Calibre at DAC This Year?

What’s New With Calibre at DAC This Year?
by Daniel Payne on 07-12-2022 at 9:00 am

whats changed min

When I worked at EDA vendors and attended DAC, one of the most popular questions asked in the booth and suites was simply, “What’s new this year?” It’s a fair question, and yet many semiconductor professionals are so focused on their present project, using their familiar methodology, that they simply… Read More