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ATI Adopts Synopsys DFT Compiler SoCBIST for Its Ultra-High Performance Visual Processor.


Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 2003

SoCBIST Reduces Cost of Test While Improving Product Quality

for Next-Generation Graphics Chip

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS SNPS Space Nuclear Power System ), the world leader in integrated circuit integrated circuit (IC), electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon. The circuit, often called a chip, is packaged in a hermetically sealed case or a nonhermetic plastic capsule, with leads extending from it for  (IC) design software, today announced that ATI (ATI Technologies Inc., Markham Ontario, http://ati.amd.com) A leading manufacturer of graphics chips and display adapters. Founded in 1985 by K. Y. Ho, Benny Lau and Lee Lau, ATI chips and boards are widely used by OEMs.  Research, a subsidiary of ATI Technologies “ATI” redirects here. For other uses, see Ati.
ATI Technologies U.L.C. ATI is a major Canadian designer and supplier of graphics processing units, motherboard chipsets, and video display cards.
, Inc., has adopted Synopsys' DFT DFT - discrete Fourier transform  Compiler(TM) SoCBIST to implement the design-for-test architecture for its upcoming next-generation visual processor. SoCBIST is an extension to DFT Compiler, a key component of Synopsys' Galaxy(TM) Design Platform. By using SoCBIST, ATI is able to improve test quality and reduce test cost for one of their most important designs.

ATI's visual processing unit (VPU VPU Video Processing Unit
VPU Vice Presidential Unit (World Bank)
VPU Vicaría Pastoral Universitaria (Santiago, Chile)
VPU Vulnerable Prisoner Unit (UK) 
) has more than 200 million transistors of digital logic. A design of this size and complexity requires not only extremely high stuck-at fault coverage, but also thorough testing for delay-related defects, the preponderant pre·pon·der·ant  
adj.
Having superior weight, force, importance, or influence. See Synonyms at dominant.



pre·ponder·ant·ly adv.
 defect type in 0.13 micron process geometries and below. Using basic scan methods, excellent delay test requires up to 6X more tester time than required for stuck-at faults, which already is at an unacceptable cost of test.

"Synopsys SoCBIST's deterministic logic BIST BIST - Built-in Self Test  capability allows us to reach a quality/cost tradeoff that we could not attain with any other alternative," said Robert Feldstein, vice president of engineering, ATI Research. "We required an entirely new test approach to achieve our strict quality objectives for our new VPUs at an acceptable cost of test. In addition, because of our aggressive time-to-market goals, we needed a test solution that would not jeopardize our design schedule. Synopsys SoCBIST gave us at least an order-of-magnitude leeway to implement the increased testing we desired, and any schedule risk is minimized because SoCBIST is a straightforward extension to familiar Synopsys design flows."

"Faced with the unprecedented test challenges of this huge design, ATI selected Synopsys SoCBIST to improve test quality and reduce test cost for its next-generation visual processors," said Antun Domic, senior vice president and general manager of Synopsys' Nanometer Analysis and Test business unit. "SoCBIST is focused on enabling our customers to meet the toughest quality and cost objectives, and working with ATI provides further validation of our solution and commitment in this critical area."

Synopsys Versatile Test Solutions

Synopsys offers a complete line of integrated products and services to meet demanding manufacturing test requirements. The company's award-winning design-for-test offering includes the advanced DFT Compiler and TetraMAX(R) ATPG ATPG Automatic Test Pattern Generation
ATPG Automatic Test Program Generator
 tools. An integral part of the Synopsys Galaxy Design Platform, DFT Compiler incorporates the latest generation of Synopsys' patented 1-pass test synthesis technology and enables design teams to more efficiently meet their DFT closure goals. TetraMAX complements scan-based test methodologies by providing industry-leading ATPG performance, capacity and ease of use. DFT Compiler SoCBIST provides deterministic logic BIST capabilities and enables designers to significantly lower test costs with substantial test time and data volume reduction, while retaining scan's very high fault coverage. Complementing its test products, Synopsys offers comprehensive test services delivered by its world-class team of DFT experts.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) is the world leader in electronic design automation (EDA (1) (Electronic Design Automation) Using the computer to design, lay out, verify and simulate the performance of electronic circuits on a chip or printed circuit board. ) software for integrated circuit (IC) design. The company delivers technology-leading IC design and verification platforms to the global electronics market, enabling the development of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California For the census-designated place, see Mountain View, Contra Costa County, California. For other places called "Mountain View", see .
Mountain View is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city gets its name from the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
 and has offices in more than 60 locations throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.

Note to Editors: Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. DFT Compiler and Galaxy are trademarks of Synopsys. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2003, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Business Wire
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:May 14, 2003
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