Getting out of DIY Mode for Virtual Prototypes

Getting out of DIY Mode for Virtual Prototypes
by Don Dingee on 09-26-2016 at 4:00 pm

Virtual prototyping has, inexplicably, been largely a DIY thing so far. Tools and models have come from different sources with different approaches, and it has been up to the software development team to do the integration step and cobble together a toolchain and methodology that fits with their development effort.

That integration… Read More


3 Small-Team Design Productivity Challenges Managed

3 Small-Team Design Productivity Challenges Managed
by Don Dingee on 09-21-2016 at 4:00 pm

“Data management tools? We use small teams doing small designs. Each project only has two or three designers. Everyone uses the same EDA tools. Why do we need another tool for collaboration?” Good question. If you enjoy frequent meetings and redoing work because someone didn’t understand the status of IP blocks, the answers may… Read More


Up front phases improve CDC analysis

Up front phases improve CDC analysis
by Don Dingee on 09-19-2016 at 4:00 pm

Many tools find clock domain crossings (CDCs) in FPGA designs. Some don’t find the right ones since they don’t comprehend things like in-house synchronizer constructs. Some find too many based on misunderstanding intent, inaccurate constraints, and other factors that lead to noise.… Read More


Organizing Data is First Step in Managing AMS Designs

Organizing Data is First Step in Managing AMS Designs
by Don Dingee on 09-14-2016 at 4:00 pm

Efficient collaboration is essential to meeting tight chip design schedules. In analog and mixed signal (AMS) design, collaboration has many facets. Design tools are usually specific to roles, and handoffs are numerous, especially when moving a design to a foundry. … Read More


Can it ever be game over in tech?

Can it ever be game over in tech?
by Don Dingee on 09-12-2016 at 4:00 pm

The opening line of a recent Benedict Evans piece makes a bold statement: “The smartphone platform wars are pretty much over, and Apple and Google won.” Reading that line reminded me of the William Shatner scene in Airplane 2; let’s just shut it down and go home. That’s not the point Evans is making, however, … Read More


Somebody actually REDUCED their IoT forecast?

Somebody actually REDUCED their IoT forecast?
by Don Dingee on 09-09-2016 at 4:00 pm

Some analysts are starting to get the idea that their credibility is worth something. Research firm IC Insights has actually dialed back its latest IoT semiconductor projection through 2019, although still calling for what would be quite robust overall growth.… Read More


NVIDIA looks inside Parker and automotive-grade

NVIDIA looks inside Parker and automotive-grade
by Don Dingee on 09-07-2016 at 4:00 pm

‘Parker’ is a fascinating name for a chip designed for autonomous vehicles – more likely, the project name was pulled off a map as a bedroom community near Denver. First highlighted on the roadmap in 2013, and advertised as inside the DRIVE PX 2 platform shown at CES 2016, NVIDIA revealed some details of Parker at Hot Chips 2016.… Read More


Pushing automotive-grade embedded flash to 28nm

Pushing automotive-grade embedded flash to 28nm
by Don Dingee on 09-02-2016 at 4:00 pm

18 months ago Renesas announced they were prototyping their SG-MONOS eFlash on 28nm, and at the time we said it would be a couple of years before actual product. Yesterday, Renesas revealed their partner in this effort is TSMC – no surprise – and hinted things are moving, with better performance than expected but on a longer qualification… Read More


AMD Zen and the Art of Microprocessor Maintenance

AMD Zen and the Art of Microprocessor Maintenance
by Don Dingee on 08-31-2016 at 4:00 pm

AMD is a fantastic company with highly talented people, but for some reason just hasn’t managed to put a winning streak of microprocessor architectures back-to-back. It’s frustrating to watch: they ride like mad to catch up to or even pull slightly ahead of Intel, then fall back in the pack when they have to make an extended pit stop,… Read More