Due to the increased variability observed in aggressively scaled devices and interconnects, use of innovative circuit and system design methodologies become increasingly necessary. IMEC has set up the Technology-Aware Design (TAD) program to develop design solutions that address these (sub-)45nm scaling challenges.
The TAD R&D program is focused on development of advanced analysis techniques that model process variability to enable designers to optimize the entire system design for energy and yield. This program will develop a methodology that propagates variability (and reliability) data from technology level to device and circuit level and all the way up to system architecture level. The ultimate goal is to enable manufacturing-aware sign-off of predicted process variability at system design level. The methodology will be built on top of commercial design tools and flows.
"We are very pleased that QUALCOMM acknowledges the strength of our TAD program. This proves the value of our solution which starts at an earlier stage in the design flow than is being offered today by design for manufacturing solutions," said Rudy Lauwereins, Vice President Nomadic Embedded Systems at IMEC.
"As a part of our 'Integrated Fabless Manufacturing' business model, we are continually working to deliver the highest functionality at the best cost structure with our products," said Behrooz Abdi, senior vice president and general manager for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "We are pleased to be a part of IMEC's TAD program, collaborating on next-generation design flows and ultimately optimizing results."
The TAD program is an industrial affiliation program that is part of IMEC's recently launched Apollo research program. Apollo is the successor of IMEC's M4 (multi-mode multimedia) program and tackles the major technological challenges for ubiquitous embedded systems that will hit the market in 2011 and beyond.
About QUALCOMM
QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2006 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of CDMA components on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which CDMA is deployed, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 24, 2006, and most recent Form 10-Q.
About IMEC
IMEC is a world-leading independent research center in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Its research focuses on the next generations of chips and systems, and on the enabling technologies for ambient intelligence. IMEC's research bridges the gap between fundamental research at universities and technology development in industry. Its unique balance of processing and system know-how, intellectual property portfolio, state-of-the-art infrastructure and its strong network of companies, universities and research institutes worldwide position IMEC as a key partner for shaping technologies for future systems.
IMEC is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, has a sister company in the Netherlands, IMEC Nederland, concentrating on wireless autonomous transducer solutions, and has representatives in the US, China and Japan. Its staff of more than 1500 people includes more than 500 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2006, its revenue (P&L) was EUR 227 million. Further information on IMEC can be found at www.imec.be.
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