Sonar and Dolphin speed Zoran chip to tape-out

Against a challenging timeline, Zoran Corp was able to tape out an advanced multimedia DVD SoC in only 8 days from its last netlist change.

Against a challenging timeline, Zoran Corp was able to tape out an advanced multimedia DVD SoC in only 8 days from its last netlist change.

Zoran's next generation DVD SoC was designed for a 0.18 micron process technology using the Sonar physical prototyper and Dolphin physical implementation system from Monterey.

"We are very satisfied with the results that we have thus far achieved with Monterey Sonar and Dolphin", said Nir Sever, VLSI Director at Zoran.

"It has enabled Zoran to realise a smaller silicon die-area which translates into a lower overall cost solution.

Both the Monterey design tools and our chip have exceeded our expectations".

Zoran's integrated DVD silicon solution is being fabricated on TSMC's 0.18um process.

"Monterey's software clearly delivered on the promise of a streamlined, high-capacity, converging flow", concluded Sever.

"Zoran is a good example of a satisfied customer for Monterey", said Sol Gradman, general manager, Israel at Monterey.

"They are driven by market needs to make as efficient use of their resources as possible and to continually improve their design practices.

We believe that Monterey has contributed significant value towards the achievements of this tapeout and look forward to even greater success on Zoran's future designs".

"Due to the intensely competitive consumer market for DVD players, chip performance, die size, which significantly affects cost, and schedule were all critical elements during the design phase", said Ram Ofir, Zoran's Vice president of engineering.

"If any one of these requirements would not have been met, the viability of the entire product would have been compromised.

With Monterey's products, we were able to exceed our goals".

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