Interoperable PDK Libraries
Encyclopedia
IPL is an industry alliance established in April 2007 to collaborate on the creation and promotion of interoperable Process Design Kit
(PDK) standards. Since its inception, the IPL Alliance has released a proof-of-concept interoperable PCell library, demonstrated interoperability among tools from multiple vendors, and expanded its charter to address broader interoperability issues with foundry Process Design Kit
(PDKs) and design flows.
IPL was originally founded by Applied Wave Research (AWR), Ciranova, Silicon Navigator, Springsoft and Synopsys in order to provide an open, interoperable, next generation way of doing PDKs for analog and mixed signal design. Previously, PDK's were developed in proprietary languages, like Cadence's SKILL or Mentor's AMPL, for proprietary use with a single companies' tool suite. With the advent of OpenAccess for IC design and new programming paradigm's, the founders developed a methodology for creating PDK's that could be used by any modern analog design tool.
The broader alliance has developed an OpenAccess testing ecosystem. The ecosystem includes tools and test cases from the participating vendors. The validation is done by loading a PCell library and PDK into this ecosystem and exercising the various design tools. As a final check, the PCell-loaded test cases are streamed out to GDSII and design rule checked with Mentor Calibre nmDRC. In addition, each vendor has individually tested the IPL mechanism with their own tools.
Process Design Kit
A process design kit is a set of files used within the semiconductor industry to model transistors for a certain technology for a certain foundry.For example, the Cadence Virtuoso Tool supports over 25 different PDKs.Typical PDK contains:...
(PDK) standards. Since its inception, the IPL Alliance has released a proof-of-concept interoperable PCell library, demonstrated interoperability among tools from multiple vendors, and expanded its charter to address broader interoperability issues with foundry Process Design Kit
Process Design Kit
A process design kit is a set of files used within the semiconductor industry to model transistors for a certain technology for a certain foundry.For example, the Cadence Virtuoso Tool supports over 25 different PDKs.Typical PDK contains:...
(PDKs) and design flows.
Benefits
- Enables a single PCell library and PDK to support any OpenAccessOpenAccessOpenAccess is a community effort to provide interoperability, including unified data exchange among integrated circuit design tools through an open standard data API and reference database supporting that API for IC design...
tool - Reduces PCell and PDK development and support costs
- Creates choices in building analog design flows
IPL was originally founded by Applied Wave Research (AWR), Ciranova, Silicon Navigator, Springsoft and Synopsys in order to provide an open, interoperable, next generation way of doing PDKs for analog and mixed signal design. Previously, PDK's were developed in proprietary languages, like Cadence's SKILL or Mentor's AMPL, for proprietary use with a single companies' tool suite. With the advent of OpenAccess for IC design and new programming paradigm's, the founders developed a methodology for creating PDK's that could be used by any modern analog design tool.
The broader alliance has developed an OpenAccess testing ecosystem. The ecosystem includes tools and test cases from the participating vendors. The validation is done by loading a PCell library and PDK into this ecosystem and exercising the various design tools. As a final check, the PCell-loaded test cases are streamed out to GDSII and design rule checked with Mentor Calibre nmDRC. In addition, each vendor has individually tested the IPL mechanism with their own tools.
IPL Members
- Applied Wave ResearchApplied Wave ResearchAWR Corporation is an electronic design automation software company, founded by Dr. Joseph E. Pekarek, with Ted A. Miracco and Dr. Stephen A. Maas. The company, formerly known as Applied Wave Research, Inc., is a National Instruments company...
- Ciranova
- Helic
- Jedat
- Magma Design AutomationMagma Design AutomationMagma Design Automation is a software company in the electronic design automation industry. The company was founded in 1997 and maintains headquarters in San Jose, California, with facilities throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India....
- MicroMagic
- Pulsic
- Silicon Navigator
- SpringSoftSpringSoftSpringSoft is a software company that develops cutting edge VLSI design and debugging software. The company was founded with a grant from the Taiwanese National Science Council in February 1996. In 1997, SpringSoft established the company Novas Software in Silicon Valley to market, distribute,...
- SynCira
- SynopsysSynopsysSynopsys, Inc. is one of the largest companies in the Electronic Design Automation industry. Synopsys' first and best-known product is Design Compiler, a logic-synthesis tool. Synopsys offers a wide range of other products used in the design of an application-specific integrated circuit...
- TSMCTSMCTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Limited or TSMC is the world's largest dedicated independent semiconductor foundry, with its headquarters and main operations located in the Hsinchu Science Park in Hsinchu, Taiwan.-Overview:...
- Virage LogicVirage LogicVirage Logic corporation, founded 1996, was a provider of both functional and physical semiconductor intellectual property for the design of complex integrated circuits...
External links
- IPL website http://www.iplnow.com/index.php
- TSMC Joins the IPL Alliance as the First Foundry Member http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS134239+30-May-2008+PRN20080530
- Group's 'interoperable' analog flow turns up heat on Cadence http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208403974
- Magma Titan Platform Supports IPL Standards and Ciranova PyCell Libraries for Next-Generation... http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS236844+27-Feb-2008+BW20080227
- Upstart analog EDA PCell coalition IPL makes progress http://www.edn.com/blog/1480000148/post/430016443.html?nid=3003
- IPL group releases PDK standard http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=223100461