SpringSoft's Laker Custom Layout system Selected for TSMC 28nm reference flows

DAC 2011, HSINCHU, TAIWAN: SpringSoft Inc., a global supplier of specialized IC design software, announced that its Laker Custom Layout Automation System is selected by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) for the company’s 28-nanometer (nm) Analog and Mixed-Signal (AMS) Reference Flow 2.0 and Reference Flow 12.0 for digital design.

TSMC AMS Reference Flow 2.0 and Reference Flow 12.0 feature best-in-class design tools and methodologies to solve the challenges in 28nm technology as the chip design complexity increases. SpringSoft collaborates with TSMC and other best-in-class tool providers on key infrastructure advancements and sub-flows in AMS Reference Flow 2.0, including layout dependent effect (LDE) aware, parasitic-aware, and power-aware layout. SpringSoft’s participation in TSMC Reference Flow 12.0 is focused on design for manufacturing (DFM) fixing capabilities to improve the yield of digital designs by automatically making the layout more robust.

“SpringSoft continues to be a valuable member of TSMC’s EDA ecosystem and reference flow teams. Their collaborative approach to reference flow implementation and development of new, more advanced features in Laker underscores SpringSoft’s commitment to serving our mutual customers,” stated Suk Lee, director of Design Infrastructure Marketing at TSMC.

An overview of SpringSoft’s participation in TSMC 28nm reference flows will be presented at the 48th Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Diego, Calif., starting today, June 6th through Wed, June 8th in the TSMC Open Innovation Platform (OIP) Booth and Theatre (#2535/2648).

Laker in TSMC AMS Reference Flow 2.0
AMS reference flow 2.0 is built on the industry-standard OpenAccess (OA) database and uses the TSMC Interoperable Process Design Kit (iPDK), which enabled SpringSoft to collaborate with other best-in-class tool providers on innovative, synergistic solutions for advanced design and layout at the 28nm node.

SpringSoft and several of its third-party Harmony Program partners have demonstrated implementation of constraints from SpringSoft’s Laker system and constraints derived from Solido Design Automation tools. Laker is integrated in key sub-flows, including LDE-aware layout with TSMC LDE API, power-aware layout with Apache Totem, and parasitic-aware design using the Mentor Graphics Calibre xACT-3D field solver extraction tool.

“SpringSoft is investing heavily in the analog design capabilities of our Laker product line, and we are proud to be recognized as a leader in advanced AMS design methodology,” said Dave Reed, senior director of physical design group marketing for SpringSoft. “We applaud TSMC’s continuous efforts in driving technology and promoting open innovation through interoperability. With full support of the OA standard and iPDK across all of our custom IC products, we are able to more effectively collaborate on development and demonstrate key aspects of the AMS reference flow 2.0 with industry-leading providers across the entire EDA technology ecosystem.”

Laker in TSMC Reference Flow 12.0
SpringSoft used its Laker Custom Row Placer and Custom Digital Router tools to demonstrate the DFM-fixing capabilities of the TSMC Reference Flow 12.0. DFM-fixing is an automated method whereby the DFM checker examines the design for certain patterns and Laker determines if there is room for a more robust version of the layout. When such a pattern is detected, additional design enhancement suggestions are made for Laker to improve the design accordingly by using a variety of layout improvement techniques without introducing DRC violations.