Some of the MIPI specifications are now massively used in mobile (smartphone), like the Multimedia related specs, Camera Serial Interface (CSI-2) and Display Serial Interface (DSI). These specifications are now adopted inautomotive infotainment systems, and augmented reality (AR)/ virtual reality (VR) devices. If you … Read More
TSMC EDA 2.0 With Machine Learning: Are We There Yet ?
Recently we have been swamped by news of Artificial Intelligence applications in hardware and software by the increased adoption of Machine Learning (ML) and the shift of electronic industry towards IoT and automobiles. While plenty of discussions have covered the progress of embedded intelligence in product roll-outs, an… Read More
Synopsys discusses the challenges of embedded vision processing
Before the advent of convolutional neural networks (CNN), image processing was done with algorithms like HOG, SIFT and SURF. This kind of work was frequently done in data centers and server farms. To facilitate mobile and embedded processing a new class of processors was developed – the vision processor. In addition to doing a … Read More
Webinar: Optimizing QoR for FPGA Design
You might wonder why, in FPGA design, you would go beyond simply using the design tools provided by the FPGA vendor (e.g. Xilinx, Intel/Altera and Microsemi). After all, they know their hardware platform better than anyone else, and they’re pretty good at design software too. But there’s one thing none of these providers want to… Read More
An Informal Update
I mentioned back in June that Synopsys had launched a blog on formal verification, intended to demystify the field and provide help in understanding key concepts. It’s been a few months, time to check in on some of their more recent posts.
First up, it feels like they are finding their groove. Relaxed style, useful topics but now with… Read More
Is there anything in VLSI layout other than pushing polygons? (2)
One of the important changes that happen between 1984 and 1988 is the hardware platforms development. Calma evolved, mainframe S140 with 2 combined monitors per terminal in S280 with 2 individual monitors per terminal. This meant that from noisy and darker rooms we move to more quiet and lighted rooms. We doubled the speed and the… Read More
How to Avoid Jeopardizing SoC Security when Implementing eSIM?
Smart card business is now more than 25 years old, we can assess that the semiconductor industry is able to protect the chips used for smart card or SIM application with a very good level (unfortunately, it’s very difficult to get access to the fraud percentage linked with smart cards, as bankers really don’t like to communicate on… Read More
Semiconductor and EDA 2017 Update!
It really is an exciting time in semiconductors. The benchmarks on the new Apple A11 SoC and the Nvidia GPU are simply amazing. Even though Moore’s Law is slowing, the resulting chips are improving well above and beyond expectations, absolutely.
As I have mentioned before, non-traditional chip companies such as Apple, Amazon,… Read More
Clock Gating Optimization
You can save a lot of power in a design by gating clocks. For much of the time in a complex multi-function design, many (often most) of the clocks are toggling registers whose input values aren’t changing. Which means that those toggles are changing nothing functionally yet they are still burning power. Why not turn off those clock… Read More
Breakfast with Aart de Geus and the Foundries!
Being the number one EDA and the number one IP company does have its advantages and the resulting foundry relationships are a clear example. One of the DAC traditions that I truly enjoy is the Synopsys foundry breakfasts. Not only does Synopsys welcome scribes, they reserve a table up front for us and Synopsys CEO Aart de Geus has been… Read More

