AI is exploding everywhere. We’ve all seen the evidence. The same thing is happening with AI conferences. The conference I will discuss here began in 2018 as the AI Hardware Summit. The initial venue was the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. Like most things AI, this conference has grown substantially in a relatively… Read More
The Convergence of Functional with Safety, Security and PPA Verification
Formal For All!
“Do I need a PhD to use formal verification?”
“Can formal methods really scale?”
“Is it too difficult to write formal properties that actually prove something?”
“If I can’t get a proof, should I just hope for the best?”
“Do formal methods even offer useful coverage metrics?”
…
Discouraging words to say the least, but… Read More
Notes from DVCon Europe 2024
The 2024 DVCon (Design and Verification) Europe conference took place on October 15 and 16, in its traditional location at the Holiday Inn Munich City Centre. Artificial intelligence and software were prominent topics, along with the traditional DVCon topics like virtual platforms, RTL verification, and validation.
Keynotes:
… Read MoreKLAC – OK Qtr/Guide – Slow Growth – 2025 Leading Edge Offset by China – Mask Mash
- KLA put up an OK Quarter & Guide with modest growth & outlook
- 2025 remains slow growth as leading edge offset by China slowing
- China sanctions remain a “great unknown”- impact unclear
- Reticle biz getting squeezed from both high & low ends
OK quarter with slight beat as always- Guide is OK as well
KLA reported… Read More
Podcast EP257: IC Mask Design’s Unique Layout Training with Ciaran Whyte – Always Ask Why
Dan is joined by Ciaran Whyte, one of the founding members of IC Mask Design. As Chief Technical Officer he is responsible for all technical activity and the development and administration of all training courses. Cíaran has been training layout engineers for over 25 years and has completed layout training with over 600 engineers… Read More
LRCX- Coulda been worse but wasn’t so relief rally- Flattish is better than down
- Lam put in good quarter with flattish guide- still a slow recovery
- This is better than worst case fears of order drop like ASML
- China spend is slowing but tech spending increase offsets
- Relief rally as the market was braced for bad news and got OK news
Lam has OK, slightly better than in line quarter with OK guide….
It coulda been… Read More
AI Semiconductor Market
AI (artificial intelligence) is widely cited as a growth driver for the technology industry, including semiconductors. While AI is in its early stages, opinions vary on whether it will become common in the next few years. A McKinsey study from May 2024 showed 72% of organizations have adopted AI in at least one business function.… Read More
Sarcina Democratizes 2.5D Package Design with Bump Pitch Transformers
2.5D package design is rapidly finding its stride in a wide variety of applications, including AI. While there are still many challenges to its widespread adoption, the chiplet approach is becoming more popular compared to monolithic design. However, the required market to create a chiplet ecosystem is still under development.… Read More
ASML surprise not a surprise (to us)- Bifurcation- Stocks reset- China headfake
- Investors finally realize the upcycle isn’t as strong as stocks indicated
- Industry Bifurcation between AI & rest of industry continues
- China spending risk/overhang finally kicks in
- AI is super strong, majority of chips remain weak- Invest accordingly
ASML simply states chip industry reality that investors have
… Read MoreAlchip Technologies Sets Another Record
The ASIC business has always been a key enabler of the semiconductor industry but it is a difficult business. In my 40 years I have seen many ASIC companies come and go but I have never seen one like Alchip.
Alchip Technologies Ltd. was founded more than 20 years ago, about half way through my career. I know one of the founders, a fiercely… Read More
Intel Foundry is a Low Risk Aternative to TSMC