Achieving 112Gbps PAM4 Channels with Achronix FPGAs and Samtec Interconnect

Achieving 112Gbps PAM4 Channels with Achronix FPGAs and Samtec Interconnect
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-19-2020 at 10:00 am

Achieving 112Gbps PAM4 Channels with Achronix FPGAs and Samtec Interconnect

They say that getting there is half the fun. On December 1, Achronix and Samtec will present a webinar on this topic in the context of high-performance front panel to midplane and midplane to backplane channel design. Technology, materials and system design will all be discussed with a focus on achieving 112Gbps PAM4 channels with… Read More


The Six Signs That You Need a Yield Management System

The Six Signs That You Need a Yield Management System
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-18-2020 at 6:00 am

The Six Signs That You Need a Yield Management System

If you search on “the six signs” you will find references to a fantasy novel, “The Dark is Rising Sequence” by Susan Cooper. In this fantasy work there are six signs: wood, bronze, iron, water, fire and stone. Their purpose has something to do with driving away the Dark. Here is a quote from the book that puts these six signs in some context:… Read More


Powering the Next Generation of Hearables and Wearables with Chipus

Powering the Next Generation of Hearables and Wearables with Chipus
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-16-2020 at 10:00 am

Powering the Next Generation of Hearables and Wearables with Chipus

Chipus is an interesting company. It’s been around since 2008 and focuses on mixed-signal ASICs, intellectual property blocks and IC design services. They are headquartered on the island of Florianopolis, which is described as the most dense startup ecosystem in Brazil. The company has substantial skills in analog and mixed… Read More


The History and Significance of Power Optimization, According to Jim Hogan

The History and Significance of Power Optimization, According to Jim Hogan
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-13-2020 at 10:00 am

Jim Hogan

Power seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. Hyperscale data centers worry about operating costs unless power is optimized. The AI accelerators in the Edge can’t be effective without optimized power. Advanced 2.5 and 3D packages simply can’t remove the heat unless power is optimized.  And then there’s all those gadgets we … Read More


SiFive Expands RISC-V Technology and its Ecosystem at the Fall Linley Processor Conference

SiFive Expands RISC-V Technology and its Ecosystem at the Fall Linley Processor Conference
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-11-2020 at 10:00 am

SiFive Expands RISC V Technology and its Ecosystem at the Fall Linley Processor Conference

 

As the Linley Fall Processor Conference winds down, there are certain presenting companies that left a lasting impression.  SiFive is one of those companies. On October 21, SiFive introduced the newest member of the SiFive Intelligence family of processor coresSiFive Intelligence family of processor cores, based on… Read More


Achronix is Driving the Fourth FPGA Wave

Achronix is Driving the Fourth FPGA Wave
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-09-2020 at 8:00 am

Achronix and the Fourth FPGA Wave

Technology typically evolves in waves. Sometimes it’s referred to as a “revolution” or an “age”. The industrial revolution and the information age are examples. These kinds of categorizations help to clarify the impact of innovation in ways that are relevant to everyone – you can’t look away if the world is changing around you.… Read More


Creating Workflows for HCL Compass Just Got Easier

Creating Workflows for HCL Compass Just Got Easier
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-05-2020 at 10:00 am

Creating Workflows for HCL Compass Just Got Easier

Workflows allow the world to function. The orderly process of sequencing tasks and automating handoffs creates tremendous potential for efficiency and error avoidance. As they say, time is money and workflows can save a lot of time. The principle applies in all kinds of industries. If you design chips for a living, you’re very … Read More


I Have Seen the Future – Cornami’s TruStream Computational Fabric Changes Computing

I Have Seen the Future – Cornami’s TruStream Computational Fabric Changes Computing
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-03-2020 at 10:00 am

Cornami The Next Mega Trend in Computing

Here is another installment regarding presentations at the Linley Fall Processor Conference. Every now and again, you see a presentation at an event like this that shakes you up.  Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much. I attended the Cornami presentation on its new TruStream computational fabric and I was definitely shaken… Read More


Designing Smarter, not Smaller AI Chips with GLOBALFOUNDRIES

Designing Smarter, not Smaller AI Chips with GLOBALFOUNDRIES
by Mike Gianfagna on 11-02-2020 at 6:00 am

Designing Smarter not Smaller AI Chips with GLOBLFOUNDRIES

On October 20 at the Linley Fall Processor Conference, GLOBALFOUNDRIES made a compelling case for designing smarter, not smaller AI chips. The virtual conference was filled with presentations on the latest architectures and chips for all types of AI/ML applications. It was therefore a refreshing change of pace to hear the fab… Read More


How ML Enables Cadence Digital Tools to Deliver Better PPA

How ML Enables Cadence Digital Tools to Deliver Better PPA
by Mike Gianfagna on 10-28-2020 at 10:00 am

How ML Enables Cadence Digital Tools to Deliver Better PPA

There has been a lot written about artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and its application in the Cadence digital design flow. Most recently, I covered significant verification efficiency improvements in Xcellium ML.  A recent digital-themed white paper from Cadence takes a broader look at the impact of ML on… Read More