CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
7 June 2004
Product News
TSMC and Synopsys Address Design Challenges for 90 Nanometer and Below with TSMC Reference Flow 5.0
Synopsys, Inc. ( http://www.synopsys.com ) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) ( http://www.tsmc.com ) announced that TSMC Reference Flow Release 5.0SM incorporates unique features and innovations of Synopsys' GalaxyT Design Platform for designs at 130 nanometer (nm), 90nm and below. Synopsys' Galaxy Design Platform addresses design challenges that include power management, power and signal integrity (SI), design for manufacturing (DFM) requirements for yield enhancement, testability, design planning, and advanced flip chip capabilities in the TSMC Reference Flow Release 5.0. This industry leading design methodology, based on the collaborative effort between both companies and a holistic approach to integrating semiconductor design and manufacturing, greatly reduces risk and shortens time-to-volume.
"Synopsys has made immense contributions to the TSMC Reference Flow since version 1.0. We've worked collaboratively to ensure that Galaxy's unique power optimization, testability, DFM handling for yield improvement, power integrity and advanced flip chip capabilities work seamlessly in our 5.0 Reference Flow," said Edward Wan, senior director of design services marketing for TSMC. "Many of our customers haven't had to face these issues until recently. At 130 and 90 nanometers, power and manufacturing concerns are becoming as important as timing and signal integrity. The Galaxy Design Platform addresses these issues."
Power Optimization, Design for Manufacturing and Flip Chip Capability
The TSMC Reference Flow 5.0 specifically targets power closure. Synopsys' low power solution offers dynamic power management optimizations in standby and shutdown mode, leakage power reduction using TSMC's multi-threshold libraries, and static IR analysis in the flow. At 90nm and below, yield is a big concern. Synopsys and TSMC also worked together to ensure manufacturing issues are considered at the beginning of the design phase to improve yield. Synopsys' AstroT physical optimization, placement and routing solution is now enhanced to allow timing-driven metal fill, wire spreading and via engineering change order (ECO) capabilities to address important DFM requirements. In addition, the advanced flip chip flow is designed to handle ultra high pin count designs that are common for 90nm and below designs. These capabilities join previously established Synopsys solutions in the TSMC flow for timing and SI closure.
Advanced Floorplanning, LogicBIST, and Accurate Noise Analysis Capabilities
Synopsys' JupiterXTT design planning solution has been adopted by TSMC in Reference Flow 5.0 to provide automatic macro placement and pin assignment capabilities. This enables faster runtime to create a detailed floorplan. In addition, TSMC has also implemented deterministic logic BIST (DBIST) technology using Synopsys' DFT CompilerT SoCBIST solution, thus significantly reducing both test data volume and test application time without compromising fault coverage. Synopsys' PrimeTime® SI is also included in Reference Flow 5.0 for crosstalk delay, noise (glitch) and IR drop delay analysis.
The Galaxy Design Platform is a key component of TSMC's Reference Flow 5.0. The flow includes Astro, Astro-RailT, Astro-XtalkT, Design Compiler®, DFT Compiler, HerculesT PVS, Jupiter-XT, Physical Compiler®, Power CompilerT, Star-RCXTT, PrimePower, PrimeTime, PrimeTime SI, and TetraMAX®. From the Discovery Verification Platform, VCS® and HSPICE® are also part of the flow. Synopsys' DesignWare Library, the most widely used silicon intellectual property (IP) collection, is also an integral part of the Reference Flow. Synopsys Professional Services offers chip implementation and flow deployment with TSMC Reference Flow.
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.