( ELSE 06 Item 20 ) -------------------------------------------- [ 06/23/06 ]
Subject: Magma Statistical Timing Analysis, Blade Technology, SiliconSmart
HOT HOT HOT! -- When I saw that word "statistical", I woke up. Not to be
confused with the standard PrimeTime-esque "static" timing analysis, this
approach takes a more detailed (and realistic) look at timing that lets
you use all sorts of margin you didn't have before. The first step is the
EDA vendors making "statistical" tools. The second step is getting the
fabs to provide libraries and to accept "statistical" sign-off. It's not
there yet, but it's a coming!
Magma tools seem to have a well thought out integration of the various
modules. At DAC this year it seemed like Synopsys and Magma were the
only show in town, so to speak. Mentor/Cadence were eclipsed somehow.
I liked how Magma's seminars segued nicely into each other -- you pick
up in one where you left off in the other.
I like their statistical STA tool. On the slides it seemed to have
nice features. IBM's EinStat also had neat features and these two tools
seem ahead of the pack for statistical timing analysis. Magma's AEs
were very competent and there was good buzz all around. I am trying to
get our group access to a full suite of tools to run them by an actual
design. Magma's biggest strengths are Blast Fusion, and possibly Cobra
if it delivers. Their biggest weakness may still be the synthesis
module Blast RTL as Synopsys DC may still be the one to beat.
- [ An Anon Engineer ]
I attended a session for Magma's new Statistical Timing Analysis tool
during DAC. I though it was very interesting, although I haven't tried
it and don't know if anybody has actually put it into production. It's
too early to say anything about it.
- [ An Anon Engineer ]
The Magma statistical STA is kind interesting concept, but I'm afraid
that it's design dependant. Their new hier-design flow sounds cool,
can save engineering resources. But their two-day pass is too good
to be true.
The biggest strength for Magma tools is a unified database, good timing
optimization engine.
- [ An Anon Engineer ]
Blade Technology sells a tool to do statistical timing of critical paths.
There is an initial tool setup where they quantify variability for each
cell. In use, the input is a path from Primetime and the output is a
bell curve of possible delays of that path. They say results are super
fast since Primetime has done all the work.
- John Weiland of Intrinsix Corp.
I am running Magma's SiliconSmart for our project. Their SiliconSmart
products have value in a few areas. Economic value:
- Elimination of library re-characterization fees and delays
- Ability to create and sell DongbuAnam's libraries and save
royalties to library vendors
- Create royalty-free libraries for DongbuAnam customers
Technology value:
- Produce custom libraries or cells for key customers
- More accurate modeling of modern on chip effects
- Faster availability of libraries when new processes come out
We're using it now.
- Mun-Weon Ahn of DongbuAnam Semiconductor
SiliconSmart is interesting. Concurrent-optimization is great.
- [ An Anon Engineer ]
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