Overshadowing the acquisition of Denali by Cadence, Synopsys, the #2 semiconductor IP provider acquires Virage Logic, the #3 IP provider. Virage brings the #1 embedded SRAM, #1 BIST, #1 Logic Libraries, #1 DDR, #1 NVM, the ARC CPU cores and audio/video interface technology, and all the AMS IP from the NXP acquisition.
Under the… Read More
TSMC Unveils First Ever AMS Reference Flow!
As a quick follow-up to my blog TSMC Extends Open Innovation Platform, TSMC today announced the Analog/Mixed Signal Reference Flow 1.0., another key collaborative component of TSMC’s Open Innovation Platform™.
The TSMC AMS Design Flow 1.0’s design package is integrated seamlessly on top of the 28nm interoperable process design… Read More
TSMC Extends Open Innovation Platform
TSMC today extended one of the most effective semiconductor design enablement initiatives the semiconductor world has ever seen, the Open Innovation Platform (OIP). Morris Chang coined the term “OIP” himself in 2008, but the effort itself is 10+ years old with a collective cost > .5B$. My other blogs on topic include: TSMC … Read More
TSMC versus GlobalFoundries: Semiconductor Design Enablement!
As mentioned in previous blogs, design enablement is a key enabler to fabless semiconductor design and manufacture, without question. The purpose of this blog (in 500 words) is to compare and contrast two very different design enablement strategies and engage the semiconductor community in a meaningful discussion.
The GlobalFoundry… Read More
Semiconductor Capacity Shortages 2010
In a previous blog, Black Friday and the Predicted Semiconductor Shortages, I reported that total semiconductor manufacturing capacity is shrinking as older fabs close and new ones ramp up even slower than expected, resulting in a record reduction of total wafer capacity and silicon allocation starting in 2010. DRAM shortages… Read More
TSMC OIP vs CDNS OIP Analysis
Launched in April 2008, the TSMC OIP initiative is a collaborative strategy aimed at breaking down the barriers of semiconductor design enablement in order to reduce waste and increase the profitability of the industry as a whole.
The TSMC Open Innovation Platform promotes timeliness-driven innovation amongst the semiconductor… Read More
450mm Semiconductor Manufacturing Debate
This blog posting is sponsored by EVA airlines, as I’m in the EVA executive lounge eating free food (I blog for food). “Fly EVA, the lesser of evils for Taiwan air travel!” EVA Air has a perfect safety record in 9 years of operation, China Air on the other hand has the worst safety record in the industry!
This blog was inspired by one of … Read More
2010 Semiconductor Foundry Update: Consolidation!
It has been an interesting month in the semiconductor business. Record revenues, profits, aggressive expansion plans, something we have not seen before and may not see again. Let’s start in Taiwan then move to Silicon Valley, Upstate New York, China, and Korea, with a look at: financials, capacity, and consolidation.
TSMC and… Read More
Cadence EDA360 Redux!
“Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), the global leader in EDA360………”
Of course, why wouldn’t Cadence be the global leader in something they just made up? As a follow-up to my yawningly successful blog Cadence EDA360 Manifesto:
One of the problems I have with EDA360 is the fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) it attempts … Read More
Cadence EDA360 Manifesto
EDA360 is said to be a blueprint or high-level vision for the EDA industry and not a Cadence specific document, based on the challenges that customers are experiencing. What EDA36o really is, is a manifesto, a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, issued by a specific organization. The question … Read More
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