As integration levels increase, clock frequencies rise, and feature sizes shrink it is not surprising that all or most aspects of semiconductor design become more complex and demand more from design technologies. One example where the traditional approach is breaking down is in optimizing power distribution networks (PDNs)… Read More
Artificial Intelligence
Webinar: Silicon Catalyst & EE Times Examine the Bigger Picture Aspects of AI – Nov. 29, 2023 – 9am to 10am Pacific
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is dominating the news cycle these days. It used to be about the latest (and largest) chips to accelerate AI algorithms. While that’s still relevant and exciting, AI news is taking a much broader, socioeconomic character. What does AI mean for job security, the economy, or even life on Earth? These … Read More
Accelerating Development for Audio and Vision AI Pipelines
I wrote previously that the debate over which CPU rules the world (Arm versus RISC-V) somewhat misses the forest for the trees in modern systems. This is nowhere more obvious that in intelligent audio and vision: smart doorbells, speakers, voice activated remotes, intelligent earbuds, automotive collision avoidance, self-parking,… Read More
Generative AI for Silicon Design – Article 3 (Simulate My Design)
Generative AI has time and again showcased its power to understand, predict, and explain a myriad of phenomena. Beyond its famed applications in art and text, it’s making ripples in the niche realm of hardware engineering. In this article, our exploration focuses on the potential of Generative AI to comprehend and predict… Read More
A Fast Path to Better ARC PPA through Fusion Quickstart Implementation Kits and DSO.AI
Synopsys recently presented a webinar on using their own software to optimize one of their own IPs (an ARC HS68 processor) for both performance and power through what looks like a straightforward flow from initial configuration through first level optimization to more comprehensive AI-driven PPA optimization. Also of note … Read More
Arm Total Design Hints at Accelerating Multi-Die Activity
I confess I am reading tea leaves in this blog, but why not? Arm recently announced Arm Total Design, an expansion of their Compute Subsystems (CSS) offering which made me wonder about the motivation behind this direction. They have a lot of blue-chip partners lined up for this program yet only a general pointer to multi-die systems… Read More
Generative AI for Silicon Design – Article 2 (Debug My Waveform)
Generative AI has been making waves across various industries, and its potential continues to expand. Among its many applications, one particularly intriguing area is the capacity of GenAI to explain digital design waveforms and act as a co-pilot for hardware engineers in the debugging process. In this article, we will explore
DVCon Europe is Coming Soon. Sign Up Now
I’m a fan of DVCon, a fan of Accellera and a fan of Munich, hosting DVCon Europe once again. This year’s event runs from November 14th through 15th (with some events on the 16th) at the Holiday Inn Munich in the City Center. Phillippe Notton (CEO, SiPearl) will deliver a keynote on “Energy Efficient High-Performance Computing in the… Read More
Generative AI for Silicon Design – Article 1 (Code My FSM)
In today’s fast-paced world, innovation in semiconductor design is a constant demand. The need for quicker, more accurate, and innovative solutions has paved the way for exploring the potential of Generative AI (#GenerativeAI) in the realm of semiconductor design development. Can it be done? Hell yeah! In this article… Read More
Silicon Catalyst Welcomes You to Our “AI Wonderland”
Regardless of where you grew up you probably know the story of Alice in Wonderland. The story is over 100 years old, but holds up to the present day, thanks in part to some magic from Disney. It evokes visions of a place that elicits admiration and wonder, to create a place of magical charm. In the context of AI, it takes on a more relevant… Read More
Facing the Quantum Nature of EUV Lithography