The Semi-Custom Revolution: How To Thrive or Survive

The semicustom IC market, has exploded during the past few years (figure 1). Comprised of both gate arrays and standard cells, the market spans the range of IC technologies including bipolar, CMOS and linear. To meet the needs of the system engineers who implement semicustom designs, CAE tools have become increasingly important and more focused with respect to rapid, right-the-first-time product development. Panelists will discuss their company's semi-custom design automation solution in relation to the semicustom silicon vendor and the users of various semicustom designs and technologies. The session will close with a discussion on the future of CAE tools and the evolution of the semicustom market into standard cells and fullcustom design.