A groundbreaking announcement made at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) has unveiled the revolutionary Design Pathfinding Process Development Kit (PDK), developed by imec. This innovative tool is set to transform the landscape of virtual digital design, specifically in imec’s N2 technology, with its backside power delivery network.
Through strategic integration with EDA tool suites such as Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys, the Design Pathfinding PDK ensures widespread availability of advanced nodes for design pathfinding, system research, and training. This heralds a new era, empowering both academia and industry with the resources necessary to propel their products into the next generations of technology.
Traditionally, access to Foundry PDKs, which provide chip designers with a library of thoroughly tested and proven components, has been limited. Once a technology reaches a critical level of manufacturability, access to these PDKs becomes available to the ecosystem. However, the requirement for Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) creates formidable barriers for academia and commercial companies seeking access to advanced technology nodes during their development.
By granting access to imec’s N2 PDK, the Design Pathfinding PDK is bridging this gap. It opens up a world of opportunities for chip designers, offering them early exposure to the infrastructure necessary to hone their design skills on the most cutting-edge technology nodes. Julien Ryckaert, VP Logic Technologies, emphasizes the importance of this accessibility, stating, “If we want to engage a new generation of chip designers, we must provide them early access to the infrastructure needed to develop their design skills on the most advanced technology nodes.”
The Design Pathfinding PDK is not just a gateway to advanced technology nodes but a comprehensive training platform as well. Through tailored training courses, designers will swiftly familiarize themselves with the latest technology disruptions, including nanosheet devices and wafer backside technology. The PDK’s design pathfinding capabilities enable companies to effortlessly transition their designs to future technology nodes, preempting any scaling bottlenecks that may impede their products’ growth.
This groundbreaking PDK encompasses the requisite infrastructure for digital design, utilizing a set of digital standard cell libraries and SRAM IP macros. In the future, the platform will expand to cover even more advanced nodes, such as the A14. Beginning in early Q2, the training program will commence, offering subscribers deep insights into the specifics of the N2 technology node. Hands-on training on digital design platforms utilizing Cadence and Synopsys EDA software will equip engineers with the necessary skills to push the boundaries of innovation.
Brandon Wang, Vice President of Technical Strategy & Strategic Partnerships at Synopsys, emphasizes the significance of nurturing an engineering workforce armed with the technology required to develop transformative products. He commends imec’s Design Pathfinding PDK as a prime example of how industry partnerships unlock access to advanced process technology, accelerating semiconductor innovation for current and upcoming generations of designers. Collaborating with imec, Synopsys is dedicated to delivering a certified, AI-driven EDA digital design flow for the N2 PDK, enabling design teams to prototype and expedite the transition to next-generation technologies through a comprehensive virtual PDK-based design environment.
Imec’s groundbreaking Design Pathfinding PDK marks a pivotal moment in the semiconductor industry, providing unprecedented access to advanced technology nodes and equipping designers with the tools they need to revolutionize the field of digital design.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Design Pathfinding Process Development Kit (PDK)?
The Design Pathfinding PDK is an innovative tool developed by imec that aims to transform virtual digital design, specifically in imec’s N2 technology, with its backside power delivery network.
2. How does the Design Pathfinding PDK ensure widespread availability of advanced nodes?
The Design Pathfinding PDK strategically integrates with EDA tool suites like Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys, providing access to advanced nodes for design pathfinding, system research, and training.
3. What does the Design Pathfinding PDK offer to academia and industry?
The Design Pathfinding PDK empowers both academia and industry by granting them early access to imec’s N2 technology and infrastructure, enabling chip designers to develop their design skills on cutting-edge technology nodes.
4. What are the barriers academia and commercial companies face in accessing advanced technology nodes?
Traditionally, access to Foundry PDKs is limited, and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) create hurdles for academia and commercial companies seeking access to advanced technology nodes during their development.
5. What are the benefits of the Design Pathfinding PDK?
The Design Pathfinding PDK not only provides access to advanced technology nodes but also serves as a comprehensive training platform for designers. It enables effortless transition to future technology nodes, removing scaling bottlenecks.
6. What does the Design Pathfinding PDK include?
The PDK encompasses digital standard cell libraries and SRAM IP macros, providing the infrastructure for digital design. It also offers tailored training courses and hands-on training on digital design platforms like Cadence and Synopsys EDA software.
7. What are the future plans for the Design Pathfinding PDK?
In the future, the platform will expand to cover even more advanced nodes, such as the A14. The training program will commence in early Q2, offering deep insights into the specifics of the N2 technology node.
8. How does the Design Pathfinding PDK contribute to semiconductor innovation?
The partnership between imec and Synopsys aims to deliver a certified, AI-driven EDA digital design flow for the N2 PDK. This collaboration accelerates semiconductor innovation and enables the transition to next-generation technologies through a comprehensive virtual PDK-based design environment.
9. What is the significance of imec’s Design Pathfinding PDK in the semiconductor industry?
Imec’s Design Pathfinding PDK provides unprecedented access to advanced technology nodes and equips designers with the necessary tools to revolutionize the field of digital design.
Definitions:
– N2 technology: A specific technology developed by imec.
– Backside power delivery network: Refers to the infrastructure and components that enable the delivery of power to various parts of a semiconductor device from the backside.
– PDK: Process Development Kit, a collection of files used to facilitate the design and manufacturing of integrated circuits.
Suggested related links:
– imec
– Cadence Design Systems
– Synopsys
The source of the article is from the blog exofeed.nl