SiliconSmart library achieves signoff quality libraries for automotive design
Part of the Fusion Design platform, the SiliconSmart library characterisation core engine achieves certification for TSMC N5, N4 and N3 advanced processes technology to quicken the delivery of signoff-quality libraries for mobile, consumer, AI and automotive applications.
Synopsys developed the engine which addresses various process, voltage and temperature (PVT) combinations for advanced-node designs. According to the company, mutual customers can achieve signoff-quality libraries with maximum characterisation throughput on available compute resources.
SiliconSmart has enhancements to support cell library characterisation at advanced nodes, to accelerate digital implementation for mobile/5G, high performance computing (HPC), AI, automotive, IoT networks and aerospace and defence applications.
Library data accuracy has become essential to model increased design complexity at advanced nodes. The scale of library characterisation has increased to the point that there are hundreds of PVT corners on tens of thousands of cores, yet, synthesis, place-and-route, verification and signoff tools require precise model libraries that accurately represent timing, noise and power performance of digital and memory designs. Speed and accuracy are therefore essential, as process variability at advanced nodes require both to model effects on timing.
In addition to comprehensive library characterisation, the SiliconSmart core engine has quality assurance capabilities tuned to produce Synopsys PrimeTime signoff-quality libraries. SiliconSmart technologies use reference SPICE engines for faster characterisation of advanced Liberty models used by the PrimeTime static timing analysis solution to account for effects in low-voltage FinFET processes that affect timing. It supports advanced industry-standard models including LVF (Liberty Variation Format).
“Customers are experiencing a 3x increase in compute demand from node to node, along with greater PVT combinations challenges,” said Jacob Avidan, senior vice president, Synopsys Silicon Realization Group. The SiliconSmart library characterisation with its core engine provides scalable results. Collaboration with TSMC on advanced nodes results in certification to deliver accurate, high-performing technologies, he added.
The Synopsys SiliconSmart library characterisation is available now.
