Tools smooth the way from FPGAs to 65nm process

Altera has deployed Synopsys' Star-RCXT extraction tool and HSIM FastSpice simulator for its FPGA design flow targeting TSMC's 65nm Nexsys process technology.

Altera, a pioneer in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions, has deployed Synopsys' Star-RCXT extraction tool and HSIM FastSpice simulator for its FPGA design flow targeting TSMC's 65nm Nexsys process technology.

The Star-RCXT extraction tool offers advanced process modelling of 65nm effects with accurate correlation to silicon, as well as seamless integration with HSIM simulator to achieve fast time to results.

"Adopting the Star-RCXT extraction tool for our 65nm FPGAs is the logical choice given our successes with it on our 90nm Stratix devices", said Eugene Chen, Director of CAD Engineering at Altera.

"We selected the Star-RCXT tool on the merits of its TSMC verification, its proven ability to model 65nm effects with subfemtofarad accuracy, and its seamless integration with Synopsys' HSIM FastSpice simulator".

The Star-RCXT tool is the market-leading parasitic extraction solution in Synopsys' Galaxy Design Platform, and the only extraction tool to cover cell-based, custom digital, and analogue/mixed-signal designs.

It supports 65nm process capabilities including in-die process variation solutions such as selective process biasing (spacing- and width-dependent metal bias), local density effects, length of diffusion density and polynomial-based width-dependent thickness variation, width-dependent temperature variation, and metal fill.

In modelling such advanced silicon process features, the Star-RCXT tool extracts silicon-accurate resistance capacitance (RC) parasitics for use with the HSIM FastSpice simulator to ensure rapid verification of custom digital designs.

"TSMC and Synopsys have a long, steady, and deep relationship", said Edward Wan, Senior Director of Design Service Marketing at TSMC.

"Synopsys' Star-RCXT extraction tool enables designers to take full advantage of TSMC's leading-edge foundry process for accurate modelling at 65nm technology effects".

"Synopsys delivers proven design flows that enable designers to produce accurate designs using the most advanced silicon capabilities", said Antun Domic, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Synopsys' Implementation Group.

"With this proven foundry flow, Altera will deliver its next-generation devices to market with high predictability and yield".

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