SandLinks used the complete Cadence Low-Power Solution, including Encounter® RTL Compiler global synthesis, Encounter Conformal Low Power and the SoC Encounter® RTL-to-GDSII system. For the design and implementation of the radio part of its UWB transceiver, SandLinks used the Cadence Virtuoso® custom design platform.
"Using CPF, our engineers described the power intent as part of the RTL delivery to the back-end design house, shortening the loops, providing consistent guidance and avoiding misunderstanding between the front-end and back-end engineers," said Dr. Gideon Kaplan, SandLinks co-founder and vice president of research and development. "The proof of the flow is our successful silicon. We estimate that we were able to save about 10 weeks of precious design time by using Cadence's CPF-based low-power design flow."
Encounter RTL compiler global synthesis was employed to predict and optimize power consumption. During verification, SandLinks used CPF, allowing the designers to verify, among other things, the on-off functionality of the chip. The tapeout was on time, and silicon results demonstrated the functionality of SandLinks' UWB transceiver, enabling the company to go ahead with the testing and marketing of its novel RFID system.
"This design provides yet another perfect example of the value of the Cadence Low-Power Solution -- first-time right silicon on time," said Dr. Chi-Ping Hsu, Cadence corporate vice president, IC Digital and Power Forward. "The Cadence Low-Power Solution has been production proven and used successfully in production at more than 50 companies. The low-power design methodology, with the Si2 Common Power Format as a basis, enables these companies to quickly deliver highly competitive ultra-low-power products to their markets."
To help design teams adopt advanced power-management techniques, Cadence developed the industry's first complete solution for the design, verification, and implementation of low-power chips. The Cadence Low-Power Solution combines a variety of Cadence technologies that leverage the Si2 Common Power Format, which specifies power-saving techniques early in the design process -- enabling design teams to share and reuse low-power intelligence.
About Cadence
Cadence enables global electronic design innovation and plays an essential role in the creation of today's integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence software and hardware, methodologies, and services to design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment, and computer systems. Cadence reported 2007 revenues of approximately $1.6 billion, and has approximately 5,100 employees. The company is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research facilities around the world to serve the global electronics industry. More information about the company, its products, and services is available at www.cadence.com.
Cadence, Virtuoso, and Encounter are registered trademarks and the Cadence logo is a trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact: Andrea Huse Cadence Design Systems, Inc. +498945631726 Email Contact