The Quest for Bugs: Bugs of Power

The Quest for Bugs: Bugs of Power
by Bryan Dickman on 05-16-2021 at 10:00 am

title and image

Shooting beyond the hill…

In former times (think WW1 before GPS and satellites), an artillery battery trying to shell targets out of sight behind a hill would have to rely on an approximate grid reference and a couple of soldiers on top of the hill (who could see the target) to tell them where the shots were landing. These range finders… Read More


Digital Filters for Audio Equalizer Design

Digital Filters for Audio Equalizer Design
by Rhishikesh Agashe on 03-06-2021 at 6:00 am

Digital Filters for Audio Equalizer Design

Equalizers were initially designed and developed for movie theaters and amphitheaters or outdoor areas but now they have become ubiquitous. Equalization is essential for creating professional sound and creating real life like sound effects. Equalizers are used for controlling the energy/loudness of a particular frequency… Read More


Flex Logix Expands Its eFPGA Footprint with a Low Power Comms Design Win from OpenFive

Flex Logix Expands Its eFPGA Footprint with a Low Power Comms Design Win from OpenFive
by Mike Gianfagna on 12-21-2020 at 10:00 am

Flex Logix Expands Its eFPGA Footprint with a Low Power Comms Design Win from OpenFive

Embedded FPGA use is on the rise. The programmability offered by this kind of IP finds many applications in complex SoCs. There was a recent announcement that OpenFive had licensed Flex Logix’s eFPGA to develop a low power communications SoC. The part required a large eFPGA. The news was reported on SemiWiki here. This announcement… Read More


Sign Off Design Challenges at Cutting Edge Technologies

Sign Off Design Challenges at Cutting Edge Technologies
by Tom Simon on 12-03-2020 at 6:00 am

Power and Ground Design Challenges

As semiconductor designs for many popular products move into smaller process nodes, the need for effective and rapid design closure is increasing. The SOCs used for many consumer and industrial applications are moving to FinFET nodes from 16 to 7nm and with that comes greater challenges in obtaining design closure. einfochips,… Read More


Embedded Systems Development Flow

Embedded Systems Development Flow
by Daniel Nenni on 11-09-2020 at 6:00 am

Webinar SoC 1

Earlier this year. as part of my coverage of the virtual Design Automation Conference (DAC), I interviewed Agnisys CEO and founder Anupam Bakshi. He talked about the new products they introduced at the show and filled me in on the history of the company and his own background. Recently, Anupam presented the webinar “System Development… Read More


ASIC and FPGA Design and Verification Trends 2020

ASIC and FPGA Design and Verification Trends 2020
by Daniel Nenni on 10-28-2020 at 6:00 am

2020 Wilson Report Verification ASIC FPGA

Harry Foster and I started in semiconductors at the same time so it was great to reminisce while talking about the latest Wilson Research Group Functional Verification Trend reports. Before I get into the reports lets talk about Harry who is a verification superstar:

Harry is Chief Scientist Verification for the Design Verification… Read More


Digital Design Technology Symposium!

Digital Design Technology Symposium!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-07-2020 at 6:00 am

Synopsys Digital Design Symposium 2020
Virtual events are coming fast and furious. Even though we are sheltering there is still the need to pick and choose carefully because time really is big money inside the semiconductor design ecosystem, absolutely. 

Synopsys virtual events are high on my list for three reasons:

  1. They are very well organized and professionally
Read More

WEBINAR: Design Adaptive eFPGA IP

WEBINAR: Design Adaptive eFPGA IP
by Daniel Nenni on 09-18-2020 at 10:00 am

Menta Adaptive Design eFPGA Webinar 1

Since the start of PROMS, PLDs and FPGAs we have learned the importance of programmability in modern semiconductor design. Today we have eFPGAs for “design adaptive” embedded programmability and that is what this webinar is all about.

Several key points are discussed starting with the Law of Accelerating Returns as it applies… Read More


Alchip moves from TSMC 7nm to 5nm!

Alchip moves from TSMC 7nm to 5nm!
by Daniel Nenni on 08-20-2020 at 10:00 am

Alchip 5nm TSMC

While Alchip is speeding its way down the TSMC process technology roadmap I am reminded how important services are to the semiconductor ecosystem. We can thank ASIC companies like Alchip for the heavy investment systems companies have made into semiconductors. We covered this in our book “Fabless: The Transformation of the SemiconductorRead More


Alchip Delivers Cutting Edge Design Support for Supercomputer Processor

Alchip Delivers Cutting Edge Design Support for Supercomputer Processor
by Mike Gianfagna on 07-23-2020 at 6:00 am

MN 3 Supercomputer

Alchip issued a press announcement recently entitled Alchip Provides Supercomputer Processor Design Support. The release is literally a tour de force of technology, with many advanced design and packaging accomplishments. First, let’s examine the basics of the design.

Preferred Networks, Inc (PFN) is the customer. They … Read More