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Filling the ASIC Void – Part 1

Filling the ASIC Void – Part 1
by Mike Gianfagna on 03-27-2020 at 6:00 am

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It started slowly at first.  Then it began picking up steam. I’m referring to consolidation in the semiconductor sector. I had a front-row seat for what consolidation did to the ASIC part of semiconductor and that is the topic of this discussion. I was the VP of marketing at eSilicon, the company that invented the fabless ASIC model.… Read More


COVID-19 Chip Cycle – How deep, long and what shape?

COVID-19 Chip Cycle – How deep, long and what shape?
by Robert Maire on 03-26-2020 at 10:00 am

Covid 19 Semiconductors SemiWiki 1

It is a demand driven downturn – harder to predict
It may not be “business as usual” after this virus
What systemic changes could the industry face?

Trying to figure out another cycle-driven by inorganic catalyst

Investors and industry participants in the semiconductor industry who are used to normal cyclical… Read More


SpyGlass Gets its VC

SpyGlass Gets its VC
by Bernard Murphy on 03-26-2020 at 6:00 am

VC SpyGlass Lint

It’s a matter of pride to me and many others from Atrenta days that the brand we built in SpyGlass has been so enduring. It seems that pretty much anyone who thinks of static RTL checking thinks SpyGlass. Even after Synopsys acquired Atrenta, they kept the name as-is, I’m sure because the brand recognition was so valuable.

Even good… Read More


Security in I/O Interconnects

Security in I/O Interconnects
by Mike Gianfagna on 03-25-2020 at 10:00 am

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I got a chance to chat with Richard Solomon at Synopsys recently about a very real threat for all of us and what Synopsys is doing about it. No, the topic isn’t the Coronavirus, it’s one that has been around a lot longer and will continue to be a very real threat – data and interconnect security.

First, a bit about Richard. He is the technical… Read More


Low Energy Electrons Set the Limits for EUV Lithography

Low Energy Electrons Set the Limits for EUV Lithography
by Fred Chen on 03-25-2020 at 6:00 am

Low Energy Electrons Set the Limits for EUV Lithography

EUV lithography is widely perceived to be the obvious choice to replace DUV lithography due to the shorter wavelength(s) used. However, there’s a devil in the details, or a catch if you will.

Electrons have the last word
The resist exposure is completed by the release of electrons following the absorption of the EUV photon.… Read More


Prevent and Eliminate IR Drop and Power Integrity Issues Using RedHawk Analysis Fusion

Prevent and Eliminate IR Drop and Power Integrity Issues Using RedHawk Analysis Fusion
by Mike Gianfagna on 03-24-2020 at 10:00 am

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I had the opportunity to preview an upcoming SemiWiki webinar on IR drop and power integrity. These topics, all by themselves, have real stopping power. Almost everyone I speak with has a story to tell about these issues in a recent chip design project. When you combine hot topics like this with a presentation that details the collaboration… Read More


Mentor Masterclass on ML SoC Design

Mentor Masterclass on ML SoC Design
by Bernard Murphy on 03-24-2020 at 6:00 am

ML algo design

I was scheduled to attend the Mentor tutorial at DVCon this year. Then coronavirus hit, two big sponsors dropped out and the schedule was shortened to three days. Mentor’s tutorial had to be moved to Wednesday and, as luck would have it, I already had commitments on that day. Mentor kindly sent me the slides and audio from the meeting… Read More


Reducing Your ASIC Production Risk!

Reducing Your ASIC Production Risk!
by Daniel Nenni on 03-23-2020 at 10:00 am

Delta Managing the ASIC Supply Chain

Managing the ASIC manufacturing is one of the biggest challenges of chip projects.

Building an ASIC supply chain requires specific expertise. Throughout the process you’ll be confronted with hundreds of decisions that will require specific knowledge in order to be addressed correctly, avoid costly mistakes and lose time. … Read More


Cadence Digital Full Flow Optimized to Deliver Improved Quality of Results with Up to 3X Faster Throughput

Cadence Digital Full Flow Optimized to Deliver Improved Quality of Results with Up to 3X Faster Throughput
by Mike Gianfagna on 03-23-2020 at 6:00 am

FINAL2 Digital FF iSpatial Flow hi res

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are hot topics. Beyond the impact these technologies are having on the world around us, they are also having impact on the semiconductor and EDA ecosystem. I posted a blog last week that discussed how Cadence views AI/ML, both from a tool and ecosystem perspective. The is one… Read More


A Conversation with Wally Rhines: Predicting Semiconductor Business Trends After Moore’s Law

A Conversation with Wally Rhines: Predicting Semiconductor Business Trends After Moore’s Law
by Daniel Nenni on 03-22-2020 at 10:00 am

Cover Predicting Trends

Wally Rhines is one of the most prolific speakers the semiconductor industry has ever experienced. Wally is also one of the most read bloggers on SemiWiki.com, sharing his life’s story which is captured in his first book: From Wild West to Modern Life the Semiconductor Evolution.

On April 2nd at 10am PDT we will host Wally on a live… Read More