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 (Synopsys, Inc., Mountain View, CA, www.synopsys.com) A leading supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions in the worldwide electronics market. Founded in 1986 by Dr. Aart J. de Geus and engineers from General Electric's Microelectronics Center (Research Triangle Park, NC), Synopsys was chartered to develop and market commercial applications of synthesis technology, which has been adopted by just about every major electronics company in the world., Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), the world leader in integrated circuit (IC) design software, today announced that ATI Research, a subsidiary of ATI Technologies, Inc., has adopted Synopsys' DFT DFT - Data Flow Testing DFT - Deaerating Feed Tank DFT - Deaerating Feedwater Tank DFT - Deal Fell Through DFT - Deep Space Network Frequency and Timing System DFT - Defect and Fault Tolerance DFT - Defibrillation Threshold DFT - Demand Flow Technology DFT - Density Functional Theory DFT - Department for Transport (UK) DFT - Deployment For Training DFT - Depot Field Team DFT - Design Flow Technology DFT - Design For Test 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) 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 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 1. (probability) deterministic - Describes a system whose time evolution can be predicted exactly. Contrast probabilistic. 2. (algorithm) deterministic - Describes an algorithm in which the correct next step depends only on the current state. This contrasts with an algorithm involving backtracking where at each point there may be several possible actions and no way to chose between them except by trying each one and backtracking if it fails. logic BIST BIST - Bristol Islamic Schools Trust (Bristol, UK) 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 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) 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 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. |
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