Networks-on-chip (NoCs) are very configurable, arguably the most configurable piece of IP that you can put on a chip. The only thing that comes close are highly configurable extensible VLIW processors such as those from Tensilica (Cadence), ARC (Synopsys) and CEVA but Sonics would argue their NoCs are even more flexible. But … Read More
Agentic AI and the EDA Revolution: Why Data Mobility, Security, and Availability Matter More Than EverThe EDA (Electronic Design Automation) and semiconductor industries…Read More
WEBINAR: What It Really Takes to Build a Future-Proof AI Architecture?Keeping up with competitors in many computing applications…Read More
Software-defined Systems at #62DACModern EVs are prime examples of software-defined systems,…Read More
Update on a Space-Based Router for IC Design
When I started my IC design career back in 1978 all IC routing was done manually, today however we have many automated approaches to IC routing that save time and do a more thorough job than manual routing. To get an update on space-based routers for IC design I connected with Yuval Shay at Cadence today. The basic idea behind a spaced-based… Read More
SOI Future or Flop?
Silicon On Insulator (SOI) is a technology that has been in use by the semiconductor industry for a long time. Early technologies such as Silicon On Sapphire (SOS) were reported as early as the sixties. In the eighties technologies such as V groove dielectric isolation were used. In the nineties we saw wafer bonding become the most… Read More
Getting the best from MIPI IP Toolbox
The set of MIPI specifications has severely enlarged during the past year. This is a positive point, as the large set of specifications induces a wider choice, and a chip maker can decide to implement a complex specification to differentiate with competitors, or select a specification just tailored to support a basic architecture… Read More
Untangling snags earlier and reducing area by 10%
The over 20 years of experience behind Synopsys Design Compiler is getting a new look for 2014, and we had a few minutes with Priti Vijayvargiya, director of product marketing for RTL synthesis, to explore what’s in the latest version of the synthesis tool.
Previewed today, Synopsys Design Compiler 2013.12 continues to target … Read More
Did Google make a huge mistake with Motorola?
The news wires are alive today with the story that Google sold their Motorola mobility division to Chinese tech giant Lenovo for $2.9 billion. Google bought Motorola in 2011 for $12.5 billion. Did Larry Page make a $9.6 billion mistake? Probably not.
Although Motorola came with $3 billion in cash, and Google already sold the Motorola… Read More
First Verdi Interoperability Apps Developer Forum
Way back when SpringSoft was still SpringSoft and not Synopsys they launched Verdi Interoperability Apps (VIA) and an exchange for users to share them open-source style. I wrote about it back in 2011 when it was announced. Today, Synopsys announced the first developer forum for VIA. It will be held at SNUG on Wednesday, March 26,… Read More
Wanna Build a Bitcoin Miner: GlobalFoundries Will Manufacture it For You
You may know a bit about Bitcoin, the digital currency. One part of the system is “mining” new bitcoins, analogous to mining new gold when we were on the gold standard, creating “money” out of thin air but at a cost of doing the actual mining.
Here is an interesting aside. When I lived in France the father of… Read More
If requirements ask for it, it had better be there
Engineers are known for their attention to detail and precision in thinking, but sometimes still struggle during compliance audits. This is especially true the longer a list of requirements becomes, especially unstructured lists kept in spreadsheets and on Post-It notes.
It gets even more complicated, because in defense circles… Read More
A Brief History of Qualcomm
Qualcomm is the largest fabless semiconductor company in the world. If you have a smarphone there is a good chance you have a Qualcomm chip in your pocket. It is headquartered in San Diego with offices pretty much everywhere.
Qualcomm’s roots are in Linkabit, which was founded by Irwin Jacobs and Andrew Viterbi. They, along with … Read More
Should Intel be Split in Half?