Most EDA start-up companies have a narrow product focus to complement existing tool flows, however Invarian is taking a much bolder approach by offering tools for:
- Power analysis
- Thermal analysis
- EM / IR analysis
- 3D Thermal analysis
I met with Jens Andersen, CEO of Invarianat DAC to get an update for 2013.
Q: What’s new this year for Invarian?
This year – more designs, more customers (tier one) – network processor designs, customers have 16nm and 20nm.
Silicon results in 40nm and 28nm, good accuracy within 2% accuracy results for both Power and Thermal numbers.
Q: How are you different than Ansys?
Ansys – they have thermal tools and board-level, but more of an average thermal number.
Our approach is very fine-grained thermal tool, able to detect contact to contact momentary thermal spikes.
Q: Are your tools certified by foundries?
We are hoping to be qualified in the TSMC reference flow this year, stay tuned.
Q: What is the analysis capacity of your tools?
Capacity – 150 million placed cells.
Q: How do your analysis tools work?
EM/IR/Thermal – concurrent for the full chip, using macro-modelling capability across hierarchy. Both Digital and Analog circuits.
Re-use the low-level blocks at the next higher level. This is done automatically as you run the tool.
Q: Are your tools easy to use and learn?
For a typical evaluation – An AE arrives on Monday monring, by that afternoon you have results. Logical plus some placement information is required, to get accurate power numbers. Just need ITF, IRCS files from the foundry, EM rules from foundry. Customer can run and create the EM rules without contacting the factory.
Q: What tools do you compete with?
Our Competition – RedHawk for EM/IR, Gradient has some thermal, Cadence has EPS (Encounter Power System).
Thermal Analysis
Q: How has DAC been for you this year?
DAC – great attendance so far, some 50+ companies have visited so far.
Q: What should I expect to see in the next year?
In 2014 – New product features for power management, ESD product, 3D and FinFET results, customer adoption.
Q: How is your company funded?
Company – privately held and funded, growing. 14 people. 5 people at DAC. 3rd DAC.
Q: How would I start an evaluation?
Evaluation – call the factory in USA, Europe. Moscow center. Looking for Korea reps.
Q: Is Invarian part of any 3rd party programs?
Yes our 3rd party programs – Synopsys, TSMC, XFAB, Mentor, Springsoft, BDA, EDAC, SI2, Flexera (LSF).
Q: Are your ideas protected with patents?
Yes, we have filed patents, three so far. Founding of company focused on 3D space and reliability.
NO speed penalty to get all EM/IR/ Thermal results.
Q: What configuration of computer(s) should I use with your tools?
The recommended configuration of CPU: 4 CPU to start, then 8CPU or 16CPU (64 cpu), 128GB of RAM and up as needed, sometimes 256GB of RAM.
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Next Generation of Systems Design at Siemens