eSilicon uses Magma to tape out 28-nm 1.5GHz MPU cluster for embedded platforms

BANGALORE, INDIA: Magma Design Automation Inc. announced that eSilicon Corp., the largest independent semiconductor value chain producer (VCP), used Magma software to tape out a three-way microprocessor cluster based on MIPS’ leading-edge MIPS32 1074Kf Coherent Processing System (CPS).

Typical performance of the cluster is expected to be approximately 1.5GHz with worst-case performance of 1GHz. By leveraging Magma’s Talus IC implementation platform and the Talus-Flow-Manager-Based Reference Flow for GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 28nm-SLP process technology, eSilicon was able to achieve an impressive performance goal, while optimizing power consumption.

The Magma Quartz DRC and Quartz LVS products’ support for GLOBALFOUNDRIES' DRC+ (a silicon-validated, yield-critical pattern-based design for manufacturing low) streamlined physical verification of the chip.

“Magma’s world-class support and state-of-the-art design software for advanced nodes has been a key factor over the years in enabling eSilicon to achieve fast netlist-to-GDSII cycle times and this tapeout was no different,” said Hao Nham, vice president of Engineering at eSilicon. “Magma engineers worked side-by-side with our top designers and GLOBALFOUNDRIES to customize the design flow. This dedicated support and flow flexibility made it easier for us to harden the high-performance cores and get them to run properly in a cluster and a new process technology.”

“Enabling semiconductor developers to meet the toughest power, performance, area and turnaround time targets is one of Magma’s key strengths and a particular focus for us,” said Premal Buch, general manager of Magma’s Design Implementation Business Unit. “eSilicon’s repeated success using our software demonstrates that Magma is still the technology leader for advanced IC design and highlights the results that eSilicon can deliver to users of its unique services.”

Talus and Quartz: Advanced technology, comprehensive foundry support
The tightly integrated Talus platform provides eSilicon with an advanced IC implementation solution that addresses the myriad design challenges at the 28-nanometer (nm) node and beyond. This highly convergent implementation flow provides advanced crosstalk avoidance and correction technology, accelerating design cycles. With seamless access to the sign-off-accurate timing analysis and extraction capabilities of the Tekton platform engineering change order (ECO) runtimes are also minimized.

To streamline tool and process node adoption and ease flow rollout, Talus includes the Talus Flow Manager. This unique utility provides a ready-to-use, GLOBALFOUNDRIES-qualified, 28-nm netlist-to-GDSII design flow. The Talus Flow Manager also features the Talus Visual Volcano, a technology designed to help designers make better decisions faster.

The Talus-Flow-Manager-Based Reference Flow for GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 28-nm SLP process provides unique visualization capabilities that enable chip developers to quickly and easily import an existing design, then analyze and evaluate its performance in the 28nm-SLP process. With this unique reference flow mutual Magma and GLOBALFOUNDRIES customers can better evaluate the benefits of moving to the 28-nm node.

In addition, the Talus Flow Manager easily integrates with Magma's Quartz DRC and Quartz LVS physical verification products. The Quartz products’ support for GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ DRC+ flow allows chip developers such as eSilicon to significantly accelerate the identification of 2-dimensional (2D) yield detractors and complex manufacturing issues with comparable accuracy to full-chip lithography process simulations.

Tight integration of Quartz DRC and Quartz LVS with Magma's Talus platform fully automates fixing and enables fast and easy deployment of an efficient and convergent analyze-and-repair methodology.