( ESNUG 453 Item 7 ) --------------------------------------------- [03/01/06]

Subject: ChipMD, Silicon Dimensions, LogicVision

 Q: As a competitor, what do you think about these specific DFM companies?
    In plain English, what exactly do they do?  And how do you view them?



ChipMD

  Mike -- They're not on my radar screen.  I don't follow IP-level yield opto
  tools.  From the web site they seem to fix defects at the IP-level.  I can't
  tell if they're good or bad; I just don't know.

  Atul -- As far as I know, they tried to optimize analog circuits through
  multiple parameters at the IP level.  I don't watch them either.


Silicon Dimensions

  Mike -- Are they still around?  I looked on their web site and their only
  executive listed was some guy from the Diablo Management Group.  Also their
  last press release was dated 6/29/2005 -- close to 8 months ago.  I don't
  know what's going on there or with their Chip2Nite tool.

  Atul -- I don't see them around, either.  Didn't they used to be called
  "Silicon Value" at one time?  I'm not sure.


LogicVision

  Mike -- I recall LogicVision being a BIST house.  It looks like they're
  doing SW for IC test data mining.  It tries to figure out what's going on
  with your yield.  It's only a small piece to the problem.  It gives you
  the data, but now you have to figure out what you're going to do to fix
  your yield.  For me, this is not a "watch" company.  It's not true DFM.

  Atul -- I don't know how data mining relates to DFM.  I think on their
  web site they did a global replace of the word "BIST" with "yield".