Industry Standard PDK To Support Advanced Technology Nodes
AUSTIN, Texas — (BUSINESS WIRE) — February 2, 2010 — The Silicon Integration Initiative (Si2) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a new initiative to develop an Open Process Design Kit (OpenPDK) standard targeted initially at the 22nm node, that is applicable to prior technology nodes and extensible to future nodes. The goal of the OpenPDK Coalition is to define a set of open standards to allow a PDK to be as portable across foundries and as agnostic to EDA tools as possible. The Si2 OpenPDK will enable greater efficiency in PDK development, verification and delivery and will provide equivalent support to all foundries, all EDA tool vendors, all IP providers, and all end users. This is an ambitious goal and the project will use the most inclusive approach to involve all stakeholders to create an industry-wide solution.
The OpenPDK Coalition will provide a range of deliverables on OpenAccess that span multiple phases, beginning with the specification of PDK information in common established use, and then building additional capabilities in subsequent releases. The Coalition will define new standard specifications at the PDK development environment level, as well as standards for delivery of a populated PDK file set. Members of the IPL Alliance have offered to contribute key technologies into the OpenPDK Coalition, to be provided under license to Si2. This provides the opportunity to build upon work developed through the IPL Alliance, under a cooperative agreement.
OpenPDK will define a common PDK development environment standard that supports multiple PDK delivery data formats for maximum compatibility, all based on OpenAccess. This includes a design parameter database that is planned to be interoperable with CDF / iCDF; a callback parameter specification supporting multiple languages and an enhanced OpenAccess technology file specification. Additional OpenPDK features include a common verification environment for DRC / LVS / DFM with OpenDFM; and a standard API for SPICE netlisting to enhance interoperability with popular industry SPICE engines. Si2 is working in collaboration with the SPICE Compact Modeling Council for this deliverable.
For generated PDK file sets, OpenPDK will specify standards to enable interoperability across multiple EDA tools and heterogeneous design flows and styles (e.g. digital, analog, RF, custom, semi-custom), and across multiple foundries. This will include the aforementioned callback parameter specification, OpenAccess symbol set that is already available from Si2, an enhanced technology file, SPICE API, and OpenDFM. A new foundry-specified “Targeting” feature to enable greater efficiency at advanced process nodes will also be developed, tested with multiple verification engines, and delivered as part of the scope of OpenPDK. While the OpenPDK Coalition will focus on open standards, attention will also be given to enabling interoperability with popular proprietary formats and languages (e.g., SKILL, CDF, HSPICE, SPECTRE, SVRF, and many others) that are ubiquitous in the marketplace.
“The Board of Directors of Si2 has responded to this large industry-wide need with its strong support and approval of the OpenPDK Coalition,” stated Steve Schulz, president and CEO of Si2. “Si2 has listened closely to the urgent request of foundries for a broad and inclusive solution supporting both advanced leading-edge process node requirements, as well as nodes that are in popular use for various specialized technologies. These foundries, along with leading EDA suppliers and end-user companies, have defined the set of requirements and offered technology contributions that will enable broad success for the industry.”
“PDKs are the most fundamental set of design data used in every integrated circuit design”, explained Dr. Sumit DasGupta, Sr. vice-president of engineering for Si2. “The need to express and validate the same information redundantly for every combination of tool and foundry, as is the practice today, is impacting schedules and quality, and getting worse with every new process node. A successful OpenPDK standard will reverse this trend and deliver broad-based technical and business benefits for foundries, EDA vendors, IP providers, and end-user companies.”
Initial plans call for a first release of the OpenPDK standard in the second half of 2010. OpenPDK Coalition members will have early access to the specifications in the first half of 2010. The initial release will focus on those necessary components needed for a silicon foundry to start developing a PDK for the 22nm node. This aggressive schedule is necessary to meet the market introduction date of the 22nm node, however the standard should be equally applicable to trailing technology nodes. Membership in the OpenPDK Coalition is open to all interested parties across the semiconductor supply chain.
About Si2
Si2 is the largest organization of industry-leading semiconductor, systems, EDA and manufacturing companies focused on the development and adoption of standards to improve the way integrated circuits are designed and manufactured, in order to speed time-to market, reduce costs, and meet the challenges of sub-micron design. Now in its 22nd year, Si2 is uniquely positioned to enable timely collaboration through dedicated staff and a strong implementation focus driven by its member companies. Si2 represents nearly 100 companies involved in all parts of the silicon supply chain throughout the world. See www.si2.org
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