Date: 20/09/2011
Low power open-source cell library from Si2 for comflex VLSI design
Silicon Integration Initiative (Si2) has made available the new NanGate open source 45nm standard-cell library for IC design. This generic open-source cell library can be downloaded from the Si2 website http://www.si2.org/?page=1417. The new release of the library features: a new set of low power cells, support for VITAL (VHDL Initiative Towards ASIC Libraries) views, support for Cadence Virtuoso database, improved sizing of all cells for better compatibility with place and route tools, and a new IP release directory structure.
Semiconductor chip designers are advised to use this library for the purpose of research, testing, and exploring EDA flows. This library is for research and not meant for manufacturing. The library is intended to aid university researchers to develop complex electronic circuits in cutting edge technologies that can be used to evaluate new algorithms and design flows, and organizations such as Si2 in developing standards and design flows that can be used to evaluate the new standards. The library was generated using NanGate's Library Creator and the 45nm FreePDK Base Kit from North Carolina State University and characterized with NanGate's Nanspice using the Predictive Technology Model from Arizona State University.
The Low Power Open Cell Library contains the following cells types where all cell functions come in multiple drive strength variants:
Always-on cell: A special circuit located in a switched-off[S1] domain, and whose power supply is continuous even when the power supply for the remaining logic in the power domain is off.
Isolation cell: A circuit used to isolate signals between two power domains where one is switched on and one is switched off. The most common usage of such cells is to isolate signals originating in a power domain that is being switched off, from the power domain that receives these signals and that remains switched on.
Level-shifter cell: Logic to pass data signals between power domains operating at different voltages (or levels).
Power-switch (header) cell: Logic used to connect and disconnect the power supply from the gates in a power domain.
These cells will allow the chip designer to explore the low power features (e.g. power gating) in the leading P&R tools and to develop new methodologies through the use of sample designs that use these cells.
"The 45nm NanGate Open Cell Library has seen great success with its popularity. This release accomplishes enhancement requests for the library to be used in a wider range of design flows," said George Kuo, Vice President of Marketing at NanGate. "Our main technology is in automation of library cell creation and concurrently optimization of the design.. It is our pleasure to develop and donate the non-manufacturing Open Cell library to Si2, and allows its members and the entire community to experiment flow development, circuit design and new algorithms using a NanGate library with all required views".
"Si2 is delighted to be working with NanGate on the continued evolution of the Open45nm NanGate library. Through the leadership and library contributions by NanGate and excellent cooperation from North Carolina State University, this donation has filled the need for an advanced library to support research and evaluation of concepts and ideas in EDA", said Dr. Sumit DasGupta, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Si2.
The library can be downloaded at; http://www.si2.org/?page=1417
For more information on this and other ongoing projects it is suggested to attend the 16th Si2 Conference on October 20 in Santa Clara, CA. For further details visit: http://www.si2.org/?page=1384Silicon Integration Initiative (Si2) has made available the new NanGate open source 45nm standard-cell library for IC design. This generic open-source cell library can be downloaded from the Si2 website http://www.si2.org/?page=1417. The new release of the library features: a new set of low power cells, support for VITAL (VHDL Initiative Towards ASIC Libraries) views, support for Cadence Virtuoso database, improved sizing of all cells for better compatibility with place and route tools, and a new IP release directory structure.
Semiconductor chip designers are advised to use this library for the purpose of research, testing, and exploring EDA flows. This library is for research and not meant for manufacturing. The library is intended to aid university researchers to develop complex electronic circuits in cutting edge technologies that can be used to evaluate new algorithms and design flows, and organizations such as Si2 in developing standards and design flows that can be used to evaluate the new standards. The library was generated using NanGate's Library Creator and the 45nm FreePDK Base Kit from North Carolina State University and characterized with NanGate's Nanspice using the Predictive Technology Model from Arizona State University.
The Low Power Open Cell Library contains the following cells types where all cell functions come in multiple drive strength variants:
Always-on cell: A special circuit located in a switched-off[S1] domain, and whose power supply is continuous even when the power supply for the remaining logic in the power domain is off.
Isolation cell: A circuit used to isolate signals between two power domains where one is switched on and one is switched off. The most common usage of such cells is to isolate signals originating in a power domain that is being switched off, from the power domain that receives these signals and that remains switched on.
Level-shifter cell: Logic to pass data signals between power domains operating at different voltages (or levels).
Power-switch (header) cell: Logic used to connect and disconnect the power supply from the gates in a power domain.
These cells will allow the chip designer to explore the low power features (e.g. power gating) in the leading P&R tools and to develop new methodologies through the use of sample designs that use these cells.
"The 45nm NanGate Open Cell Library has seen great success with its popularity. This release accomplishes enhancement requests for the library to be used in a wider range of design flows," said George Kuo, Vice President of Marketing at NanGate. "Our main technology is in automation of library cell creation and concurrently optimization of the design.. It is our pleasure to develop and donate the non-manufacturing Open Cell library to Si2, and allows its members and the entire community to experiment flow development, circuit design and new algorithms using a NanGate library with all required views".
"Si2 is delighted to be working with NanGate on the continued evolution of the Open45nm NanGate library. Through the leadership and library contributions by NanGate and excellent cooperation from North Carolina State University, this donation has filled the need for an advanced library to support research and evaluation of concepts and ideas in EDA", said Dr. Sumit DasGupta, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Si2.
The library can be downloaded at; http://www.si2.org/?page=1417
For more information on this and other ongoing projects it is suggested to attend the 16th Si2 Conference on October 20 in Santa Clara, CA. For further details visit: http://www.si2.org/?page=1384