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Spectre Tech Tips: Introducing Spectre X EMIR Voltus-XFi

This blog describes the new capabilities in Spectre 21.1 ISR2 through which it provides support to the Voltus-XFi Custom Power Integrity Solution.(read more)



  • Spectre X EMIR
  • Voltus-Fi-XL
  • Virtuoso Analog Design Environment
  • Spectre X distributed simulation
  • Spectre X Simulator

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Start Your Engines: An Innovative and Efficient Approach to Debug Interface Elements with SimVision MS

This blog introduces you to an efficient way to debug interface elements or connect modules in a mixed-signal simulation.(read more)




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Virtuosity: Custom IC Design Flow/Methodology - Circuit Physical Verification & Parasitic Extraction

Read this blog for an overview to the Circuit physical verification and parasitic extraction design stage in the Custom IC Design methodology and the key design steps which can help you achieve this.(read more)



  • design rule violations
  • Extraction
  • Layout versus schematic
  • Physical Verification System (PVS)
  • Virtuoso
  • Quantus Extraction Solution
  • PVS
  • Custom IC Design
  • parasitics

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Virtuoso Meets Maxwell: Completing the Virtuoso RF Solution Assisted Flow

In my last blog, Getting Your Existing SiP File Into Virtuoso RF, I talked about the new enhancements in ICADVM20.1 ISR25 for Virtuoso RF Solution. At the end of the blog, I told you about the Fully Assisted Roundtrip flow, which includes importing SiP files that are compatible with the Virtuoso RF Solution assisted import flow into the Virtuoso platform. Let's examine how the Fully Assisted Roundtrip flow works in this blog.(read more)




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Virtuosity: Driving Super-efficient Chip Design with Voltus-XFi Custom Power Integrity Solution

This blog introduces the new Voltus-XFi Custom Power Integrity Solution, a transistor-level EM-IR tool that enables designers to complete comprehensive analysis and debugging easily and quickly.(read more)




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Test point creation workflow recommendations?

I am trying to figure out the most efficient workflow for adding test points. My use case involves adding ~100 or so SMT pads at the bottom for bed-of-nails ICT test that are required to be on a test point grid. A lot of the nets are on the top or from inner layers and so have to be brought to the bottom using stubs. I'm used to Xpediiton workflow of being able to set a test point padstack, set a test point grid, and then select a net, add the test point to the bottom layer on the grid with that net attached and then route the stub with gridless routing.

In Orcad, it seems I need to route the stub, switch layer pairs to be both bottom once I bring the stub to the bottom and then change the grid to be the test point grid and then add the test point on the grid. It requires a lot of clicks, very mistake prone requiring lots of oops and very slow for 100+ test points to be brought out at the bottom. 

I'm sure there is a better way that is used by folks with a lot of Orcad experience. Any suggestions?




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Prevent routing on adjacent layers without affecting pour

Hello,

I have a sensitive trace on layer 2 and I would like to prevent any routing along or across it on adjacent layers (L1 and L3).

My idea was to use a route keepout shape on L1 and L3, however that also removed the ground pour on those layers and I would like to keep the ground pour.

Can I get around this somehow or should I use something else than route keepout?

Regards,

Filip




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Place replicate update default behaviour

The default behaviour of Place replicate update is to select every new net item connected to the replicate module. This leads to an abundant number of clines, vias and shapes being selected, most of which I don't want to add to the replicate group. It is very tedious to unselect all these items and more often than not, I miss one or two items and then end up with a via or cline in a completely different place on the board or outside of the board.

Is there a way to change this rather annoying behaviour? I haven't found any way to disable it or to batch deselect everything the tool has decided to add to the replicate group.

The question has been asked before, but it didn't get any answers and the thread is now locked.

/F




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AllegroX. ConstraintManager: how to define an exemption inside a SPACING RULE ?

Hi

I have fixed a SPACING RULE (SP1) for a CLASS_DIFF_PAIR whereas for via associated to the net (DP_VIA), the DISTANCE > 60mils respect to ANY other vias (PTH, BB, TEST vias)

Now my problem is that this rules should NOT be applied for GND VIAS (STICHING VIA) which must be placed at a distance < 40mils respect to DP_VIA

How to create an exemption to the SPACING RULE (SP1)?




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Update Package_Height_Max from Orcad Capture

I am using OrCAD PCB Designer Standard version 17.4-2019. I want to force update the Package_Height_Max property on the place bound top shape. The footprint library that we've created has that property set in the dra file, but I'd like to override that from capture so I can be certain that the height is correct.

This is coming from a place where we have created a very large footprint library over that past ++ years. Everyone who creates a new footprint is supposed to make sure that we add Package_Height_Max to the footprint, but of course footprints get reused for various parts, not all of which will have the same package height. What I want to do is export a list of package heights from our part database and then import the package heights into Capture and override the package height in the footprint.

I have found a post here  Using Height Property from Orcad Capture which says its not possible, but it also says its from 15 years ago, so maybe things have changed?




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Loading Footprints keep getting DB Doctor message

Loading new netlist into 23.1 Apparently it does not like many of the specified footprints or padstacks. I have to open the footprint in 231., save the pad stack then save the footprint. This is very time consuming and frustrating to say the least.

I also get the following message

WARNING(SPMHNI-194): Symbol 'SMD_SOD123_ANODE_PIN1' used by RefDes D30 for device 'DIODE_0_SMD_SOD123_ANODE_PIN1_1N4148W-7-F' not found.

The symbol either does not exist in the library path (PSMPATH) or is an old symbol from a previous release.  
Set the correct library path if not set or use dbdo
     The current version of software is unable to open design smd_sod123_anode_pin1.
The design was last saved using version 16.5 and must be updated using DB Doctor. [help]


Going to DB Doctor does nothing, no option to update a footprint?

Tom





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scaling a footprint

hello

 

is there a way to scale a footprint of a symbol?

 

scaling a footprint means moving all the pad locations of the symbol by +x% or -x%. 

 

regards

masa




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exporting a modified symbol out

hello:

 

i place a symbol into my design.

 

on my design, i change the symbol property by unlocking the symbol and unfixing pins so that i can move pins on the symbol.

 

i move some pins on my design.

 

but when i export the symbol from my design, the symbol is not current but has the original pin location.

 

is there a way to retain the pin locations after moving pins on a symbol when exporting the symbol?

 

regards

masa




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how can load the Dll files and use it in Allegro 16.6

Hello everyone!

Have you ever used the axlDllOpen function for Allegro 16.6?

It doesn't work for me. Please give me your solution.
Thank you.

HoangKhoi




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Creating Web/Thermal shape for paste mask

Any tips or SKIL files to help create a thermal shaped openings for paste masks for a donut shaped pin for mics or stand-offs like below?




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How to perform the reflection and crosstalk using the OrCAD X Professional

Dear Community,

I have created a PCB layout with multiple high-speed nets, I want to check the SI like how signals are reflected and taken to each other.

I have the OrCAD X Professional, how to check the reflection and crosstalk using the OrCAD X Professional software version 24.1.

I want to create a topology flow to the PCB layout and perform the reflection and crosstalk.

Regards,

Rohit Rohan




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How to perform the EMI / EMC analysis on the PCB layout

Hai Community,

I have a PCB board which has multiple high speed nets and I want to perform the EMI and EMC checking.

Which Cadence tool should I use for checking the EMI and EMC coupling?

Regards,

Rohit Rohan




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How to resolve the impedance issue using the OrCAD X Professional

Dear Community,

I have created a PCB board and let's say I have found some parts of the PCB board where there are impedance issues, then how to resolve that impedance issue using the OrCAD X Professional.

Regards,

Rohit Rohan




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What is difference between the Cadence OrCAD / Allegro 24.1 with the Altium Designer 24

Hai Community,

What are the differences between the Cadence OrCAD / Allegro 24.1 with the Altium Designer 24.

Can I get the grid matrix difference between these two tools?

Regards,

Rohit Rohan




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Optimizing PCB design for thermal performance

Optimizing PCB thermal performance is essential in today’s high-density designs, as it ensures stability, prolongs component life, and prevents potential thermal issues. One of the first steps to achieving this is with strategic component placement. Positioning high-power components—such as regulators, power transistors, or processors—away from heat-sensitive parts can prevent thermal interference, and placing them near the edges of the PCB often helps dissipate heat more effectively. It’s also beneficial to group components by their heat generation, creating dedicated thermal zones that can manage localized heating and reduce impact on other areas of the board.

 

Using thermal vias is another effective technique. By placing thermal vias under components like BGAs or power ICs, heat can be transferred from the surface to internal layers or ground planes. Increasing the size and number of these vias, or using thicker plating, enhances heat conductivity and helps manage heat more evenly across layers in multilayer boards. Increasing copper thickness on the PCB also has a major impact. Opting for thicker copper layers (e.g., 2 oz or even 3 oz copper) significantly boosts the heat dissipation capabilities of power planes and traces, especially in high-current areas. Large copper planes, such as dedicated ground or power planes, are equally effective in spreading heat efficiently. Adding thermal pads directly beneath heat-generating components improves this heat distribution.

 

Thermal relief pads help regulate heat flow for through-hole components by controlling heat transfer, which reduces thermal stress during soldering and prevents excessive heat spread to nearby sensitive areas. Performing thermal analysis with software tools like Celsius can be invaluable, as it allows you to simulate and model heat distribution, spot potential thermal issues, and refine your design before finalizing it.

 

Using heat sinks and thermal pads provides a direct way to draw heat from high-power components. Heat sinks can be attached with thermal adhesives, screws, or clamps, while thermal interface materials (TIMs), such as thermal pads or conductive adhesives, further reduce thermal resistance, enhancing heat-transfer efficiency. Optimizing the PCB layer stackup is also a key factor. Dedicated ground and power layers improve heat conduction across the PCB, enabling heat transfer between layers, particularly in high-density and multilayer PCBs.

 

In designs with high power requirements, active cooling options like fans, blowers, or heat pipes can be essential, helping to direct airflow across the PCB and further improving heat dissipation. Adding ventilation slots around hot zones and considering passive cooling paths enhance natural airflow, making the design more thermally efficient. By combining several of these techniques, you can create a PCB that handles heat effectively, resulting in a robust, long-lasting, and reliable product.

 

Let us know if you’ve had any challenges with thermal management in your designs—I’d be glad to discuss further!




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Allegro PCB Router quit unexpectedly with an exit code of -1073741701. Also, nothing is logged in log file.

Has anyone experienced the same situation?




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Socionext Accelerates SoC Design Breakthroughs with Cadence Signoff Tools

Socionext, a leader in SoC design, recently made significant strides in enhancing its design efficiency for a complex billion-gate project. Faced with the initial challenges of lengthy eight-day iterations and a protracted two-month timing signoff process, the objective was to reduce the iteration cycle to just three days. By integrating Cadence's cutting-edge solutions—Certus Closure Solution, Tempus Timing Solution, and Quantus Extraction Solution—Socionext achieved remarkable improvements.

Notably, the Tempus DSTA tool dramatically cut timing closure time by 73%, outperforming conventional single-machine STA methods. This achievement, combined with the synergistic use of Cadence's Certus Closure and Tempus Timing solutions, allowed Socionext to meet their ambitious three-day iteration target and double productivity. Additionally, integrating these solutions significantly decreased both human and machine resource needs, slashing memory and disk costs by up to 90% and halving engineering resources during the optimization and signoff phases.

For more on this collaboration, check out the "Designed with Cadence" success story video on Cadence's website and YouTube channel.

Also, don't miss the on-demand webinar "Fast, Accurate STA for Large-Scale Design Challenges," which provides a deeper dive into Socionext's breakthroughs and the innovative solutions that powered their success.




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Voltus Voice: Breaking Ground with Voltus InsightAI—Swift Implementation via RAK

The blog discusses Voltus InsightAI RAK that is designed to give you an accelerated start on the execution of Voltus InsightAI flow.(read more)




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Training Bytes: Explore Cadence DFT Synthesis Flow with Bytes

Training Bytes are not just short technical videos; they are particularly designed to provide comprehensive support in understanding and learning various concepts and methodologies.

These comprehensive yet small Training Bytes can be created to show various concepts and processes in a shorter pane of five to ten minutes, for example, running DFT synthesis, scanning insertion, inserting advanced testability features, test point insertion, debugging DFT violations, etc.

In this blog, we will show you the DFT Synthesis Flow with Cadence's Genus Synthesis Solution using small Training Bytes available on the Cadence Learning and Support Portal. To explore these training bytes more, log on to support.cadence.com and select the learning section to choose the training videos, as shown below.

DFT Synthesis Flow with Genus Synthesis Solution

First, we will understand the Synthesis Flow with DFT in the Genus Synthesis Solution:

Understanding a Script File that Used to Run the Synthesis Flow With DFT

Here, we will show you "How to run the Test Synthesis Flow to Insert Scan Chains and Improve the Testability of a Design" in the Genus Synthesis Solution:

Running Test Synthesis Flow to Insert Scan Chains And Improve the Testability of a Design in the Genus Synthesis Solution

Let's check the flops marked with the dft_mapped attribute for scan mapping in Genus Synthesis Solution:

How to Check Flops Marked With dft_mapped Attribute For Scan Mapping in Genus Synthesis Solution?

How to Find Non-Scan Flops of a Design in Genus? (Video)

Once the flops are mapped to scan flip flops and the scan chain inserted, we will see how to handle the flops marked with the dft_dont_scan attribute for scan mapping in Genus Synthesis Solution.

How to Handle the Flops Marked With the dft_dont_scan Attribute For Scan Mapping in Genus Synthesis Solution?

Here, we will see how to fix DFT Violations using the command fix_dft_violations:

Fixing DFT Violations (Video)

Once the design has been synthesized, let's explore the DFT design hierarchy in Genus Stylus CUI:

Exploring DFT Design Hierarchy in Genus Stylus CUI (Video)

Understand why sequential elements are not mapped to a scan flop:

Why Are Sequential Elements Not Mapped to a Scan Flop?

Explore hierarchical scan synthesis in Genus Stylus Common UI:

Understanding Hierarchical Scan Synthesis in Genus Stylus Common UI. (Video)

To understand how to resolve different warnings and errors (for example, DFT-415, DFT-512, DFT-304, etc.) in Genus Synthesis Solution, here are some videos you can refer to:

How to Resolve Warning: DFT-415 (Video)

How to Resolve Error: DFT-407 (Video)

How to Resolve Error: DFT-404 (Video)

DFT-510 Warning During Mapping (Video)

How to Resolve Warning: DFT-512 (Video)

How to Resolve Warning: DFT-511 (Video)

How to Resolve Warning: DFT-304 (Video)

How to Resolve Warning: DFT-302 (Video)

How to Resolve Error: DFT-515 (Video)

How to Resolve Error: DFT-500 (Video)

Here, we will see how we can generate SDC constraints for DFT constructs for many scan insertion techniques, such as FULLSCAN, OPCG, Boundary Scan, PMBIST, XOR Compression, SmartScan Compression, LBIST, and IEEE 1500:

How to Generate SDC Constraints for DFT Constructs in Genus Synthesis Solution? (Video)

Explore advanced testability features that can be inserted in Genus Synthesis Solution, such as Boundary Scan, Programmable Memory built-in Self-Test Logic (PMBIST), Compression Logic, Masking, and On-Product Clock Generation Logic (OPCG):

Advanced Testability Features (Video)

To understand What the IEEE 1500 Wrapper and its Insertion Flow in Genus Synthesis Solution, follow the bytes:

What Is IEEE 1500 Wrapper? (Video)

IEEE 1500 Wrapper Insertion Flow in Genus Synthesis Solution (Video)

Understand the On-product Clock Generation (OPCG) insertion flow in Genus Synthesis Solution Stylus CUI with this byte:

Understanding On Product Clock Generator (OPCG) Insertion in Genus Stylus CUI (Video)

To debug DFT violations, you can use DFT Analyzer from Genus GUI and explore its features here:

Debugging Using GUI: DFT Analyzer (Video)

Exploring DFT Analyzer View of Genus Synthesis Solution GUI (Video)

To understand What is Shadow Logic, How to Insert Test Points, How to do Testability Analysis Using LBIST, and How to Deterministic Fault Analysis in Genus, follow this article:

What is Shadow Logic

To insert the Boundary Scan Logic in and control Boundary Optimization in Genus Synthesis Solution, refer to these small bytes:

How to Insert Boundary Scan Logic in Genus? Video)

Controlling Boundary Optimization in Genus Synthesis Solution Stylus CUI (Video)

Compression techniques are used during scan insertion to reduce the test data volume and test application time (TAT) while retaining the test coverage. To understand what compression and the compression techniques are, watch this article:

What is Compression Technique During Scan Insertion? (Video)

Interested to know what "Unified Compression" is? To get the concept, you can watch this small demo:

What Is Unified Compression? (Video)

To Explore More, Register for Online Training




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All EVs Need the Midas Functional Safety Platform

A more appropriate title for this blog could be “All Vehicles with ADAS Need the Midas Functional Safety Platform”.

EVs tend to have advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) because they’re newer, but not all vehicles with ADAS are EVs!

Certifying Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is a multifaceted process involving rigorous testing, validation, and regulatory compliance to ensure safety and reliability.
As ADAS technologies become increasingly sophisticated, the certification process is evolving to meet these challenges.

The ISO26262 standard provides the requirements to be met to attain safety certification for digital designs.

One of the key aspects of ADAS certification is functional safety. This includes:

  • Ensuring the system operates as intended under all conditions, including failures.
  • Adherence to standards like ISO26262.
  • Rigorous testing to identify potential hazards and mitigate risks.

The Midas Safety Platform provides early-phase exploration of functional safety architectures and leverages native chip design data to perform accurate safety analysis efficiently.

The platform is a unified solution available across Cadence products, and with its modular architecture, it supports both embedded and standalone usage with the Cadence flow.

After extracting the design information, an output Midas database file contains the isolated DUT and provides the design components and their fault tolerances to various tools in the flow.

Conformal can easily verify design transformations that include necessary components like TMR for safety.

In these videos, we explore how to create reports for both Transient and Permanent faults.

Creating Detailed FMEDA in Midas (Video)

Creating Architectural FMEDA in Midas (Video) 


Also, read this blog post for additional motivation: What Is Zonal Architecture? And Why Is it Upending the Automotive Supply Chain?

What Next?

Join the Midas Safety Platform Introduction and the Functional Safety Implementation and Verification with Midas trainings and learn more about:

  • Setting up and defining the USF file
  • Using the Midas Safety Platform to create functional safety reports, and
  • Midas integration with the Genus  Synthesis Solution, Innovus  Implementation System, and Conformal Equivalence Checker tools to implement functional safety

The online class is free for all Cadence customers with a Cadence Learning and Support Portal account. If you don’t have a Cadence Support account, go to Registration Help or Register Now and complete the requested information. For instructor-led training sessions "Live" or "Blended" please contact Cadence Training.

Please don't forget to obtain your Digital Badge after completing the training. Add your free digital badge to your email signature or any social media and networking platform to show your qualities and build trust, making you and your projects even more successful.

If you want to make sure you are always the first to know about anything new in training, then you can use the SUBSCRIBE button on the landing page to sign up for our regular training newsletters.




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Technical Webinar: A Beginner’s Guide to RTL-to-GDSII Front-End Flow

In this training webinar, we explore the concepts of RTL design, design verification, and coverage analysis while unveiling the exciting world of front-end design flow. We will guide you through the essential steps in creating integrated circuits, the building blocks of modern electronics.

We’ll break down the process into manageable stages, from defining the chip’s functionality to its physical realization. We’ll investigate the front-end part of the RTL-to-GDSII flow—from specification to functional verification and design coverage—and explore:

  • Key concepts of specifying chip behavior and performance
  • How to translate ideas into a digital blueprint and transform that into a design
  • How to ensure your design is free of errors

This webinar provides practical knowledge, making it your gateway to understanding the magic behind RTL-to-GDSII front-end design flow.

When Is the Webinar?

Date and Time

Wednesday, September 18, 2024
07:00 PDT San Jose / 10:00 EDT New York / 15:00 BST London / 16:00 CEST Munich / 17:00 IDT Jerusalem / 19:30 IST Bangalore / 22:00 CST Beijing 

REGISTER

To register for this webinar, sign in with your Cadence Support account (email ID and password) to log in to the Learning and Support System.

Then select Enroll to register for the session. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing all login details.

If you don’t have a Cadence Support account, go to Cadence User Registration and complete the requested information. Or visit Registration Help.

For inquiries or issues with registration, reach out to eur_training@cadence.com.

For inquiries or issues with registration, reach out to eur_training@cadence.com.

To view our complete training offerings, visit the Cadence Training website.

Want to share this and other great Cadence learning opportunities with someone else? Tell them to subscribe.

Want to Learn More?

This link gives you more information about the related training course and a link to enroll:

Cadence RTL-to-GDSII Flow Training

The course includes slides with audio and downloadable laboratory exercises designed to emphasize the topics covered in the lecture. There is also a Digital Badge available for the training.

 

The online class is free for all Cadence customers with a Cadence Learning and Support Portal account. For instructor-led training sessions "Live" or "Blended" please contact Cadence Training.

Also, take this opportunity to register for the free Online Trainings related to this webinar topic.

Cadence RTL-to-GDSII Flow

Xcelium Simulator

Verilog Language and Application

Xcelium Integrated Coverage

Related Training Bytes

How to Run the Synthesis Without DFT?

How to Run the Synthesis Flow with DFT? (Video)

Related Blogs

Did You Miss the RTL-to-GDSII Webinar? No Worries, the Recording Is Available!

Training Insights – Why Is RTL Translated into Gate-Level Netlist?

Training Bytes: They May Be Shorter, But the Impact Is Stronger!

Cadence Support - A Round-the-Clock Problem Solver, Webinar Recording Available!




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Unlocking the Concepts of IEEE 1801 Standard for Efficient Power Management

Power efficiency is a critical factor in the fast-evolving world of semiconductor design.

The IEEE 1801 standard, also known as UPF (Unified Power Format), was developed by the IEEE to address the intricate challenges associated with power management in contemporary semiconductor designs. This standard offers a uniform framework for defining power domains, power states, and power intent, ensuring consistency across diverse tools and phases of the design process. By utilizing UPF, you can precisely model and regulate power consumption, a critical aspect for battery-operated devices, high-performance computing, and energy-efficient designs.

The key concepts of IEEE 1801 are:

  1. Power domains
  2. Power states
  3. Power gating and isolation
  4. Power switches
  5. Level shifters, isolation, and retention cells
  6. Macro model

Based on these building blocks, you write the power intent of the design.

The power intent for the design includes identifying/implementing low-power strategies that provide a clear description of the power architecture of a design.

The power definitions can effectively manage power consumption and ensure the chip meets its power and performance requirements.

You can start by creating the Power Supply Network, which defines how power is supplied to the design's various power domains and logic cells.

What's the next step to build the file? How do you understand the various concepts related to IEEE 1801? How do you complete the rest of the power intent file?

Relax!

Gear up to attend the training class created just for you to dive deep into the entire format and explore this exciting power specification method/format with hands-on labs in one day!

Training

Fundamentals of IEEE 1801 Low-Power Specification Format Training

This course is a complete tutorial for understanding the fundamentals of IEEE 1801 low-power specification format concepts. You learn about IEEE 1801 power supply networks, ground ports and nets, creating and connecting supply ports/nets, power domain, power switch, power states, defining isolation and level shifter strategies, hierarchical IEEE 1801, and various versions of the IEEE 1801. You also explore how power intent information can be used for a design across various flow stages, such as functional verification, synthesis, logic equivalency checking, place-and-route, test, timing signoff, power integrity, and so forth, using Cadence® tools.

Labs

We ensure that your learning journey is smooth with hands-on labs covering various design scenarios.

Lab Videos

Now, the exciting part is that to help you further, we have created engaging videos of the training labs. You can refer to the lab module's instructions in demo format at https://support.cadence.com.

Lab DemoChecking Power Supply Network in IEEE 1801 format and Running IEEE 1801 Quality Checks using Conformal Low Power

Lab Demo: Checking Power Intent for The Macro Connections in IEEE 1801 Format And Running IEEE 1801 Quality Checks using Conformal Low Power 

Online Class

Here is the course link.

Get ready for the most thrilling experience with Accelerated Learning!

The more you know, the faster you go!

Grab the cycle  or hike it, based on your existing knowledge.

Take the quiz and increase your learning pace!!

What's Next?

Grab your Badge after finishing the training and flaunt the expertise you have built up. 😊

Ready to take a tour of this power specification world? Let's help you enroll in this course.

We organize this training for you as a "Blended" or "Live" training. Please reach out to Cadence Training for further information. If you want to ensure you are always the first to know about anything new in training, you can use the SUBSCRIBE button on the landing page to sign up for our regular training newsletters.

Related Short Training Bytes/Videos

Enhance the learning experience with short videos:

Genus Synthesis Solution: Video Library

 Joules RTL Power Solution: Video Library

Related Training

 Low-Power Synthesis Flow with Genus Synthesis Solution

Genus Low-Power Synthesis Flow with IEEE 1801

Related Blogs

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Relax in Summer with Cooler IC chips and Ice-Cream! Do you want to Explore the Recipe? - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community

Power Is HOT and Touches Everything and Everybody! But the Challenge Is To Deal With Low Power During Design Synthesis; How? - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community

Binge on Chip Design Concepts this Weekend! - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community




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Conformal ECO Designer

Conformal ECO Designer enables you to implement RTL engineering change orders (ECOs) for pre- and post-mask layout and offers early ECO prototyping capabilities for driving critical project decisions.

Conformal ECO compares two designs and generates a functional patch that implements the changes between the two designs.

One major criterion for determining patch quality is whether the patch can meet timing closure. To determine this, you typically need to run the time-consuming process of incremental synthesis and place-and-route. Instead, Conformal can analyze path logic depth changes before and after ECO patch generation. This provides a faster way to evaluate timing impact in patch generation stages.

After the patch is created and applied, it is passed to Genus to optimize the patch.

During patch optimization, you can choose to do many things like:

  • Keeping constants in the patch
  • Allowing tie cell inversion
  • Specifying tie cell types
  • Preserve DFF cells and cell types in the patch
  • Preserve all cells and nets in the patch
  • Preserve clock buffer cell in the patch
  • Turn on/off sequential constant and sequential merge in patch optimization
  • Allowing phase mapping for DFFs
  • Map to spare cells
  • Force fix DRC before timing

What's Next?

Join the Conformal ECO course to:

  • Explore the many options and capabilities of Conformal ECO
  • Use Conformal Engineering Change Order (ECO) for flat and hierarchical designs
  • Generate a functional ECO patch, apply it to a design, optimize it, and map it to a specified technology
  • Run a hierarchical design through ECO and run a comparison to prove the ECO is equivalent
  • Run a postmask ECO using Conformal ECO GXL

Make sure you have experience with Conformal Equivalence Checker or completed the Conformal Equivalence Checking course before taking this course.

The online class is free for all Cadence customers with a Cadence Learning and Support Portal account. If you don’t have a Cadence Support account, go to Registration Help or Register Now and complete the requested information. For instructor-led training sessions "Live" or "Blended" please contact Cadence Training.

Please don't forget to obtain your Digital Badge after completing the training. Add your free digital badge to your email signature or any social media and networking platform to show your qualities and build trust, making you and your projects even more successful.




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Artificial Intelligence: Accelerating Knowledge in the Digital Age!

In an era of abundant and constantly evolving information, the challenge is not just accessing knowledge but understanding and applying it effectively. AI is a transformative technology that is reshaping how we learn, work, and grow. In this blog, we’ll explore how AI accelerates our knowledge acquisition and understand how it can relate to the process of learning, which connects with our daily lives.

The role of AI is to accelerate knowledge by personalizing learning experiences, providing instant access to information, and offering data-driven insights. AI empowers us to learn more efficiently and effectively in many ways. I won't go into much detail, as we are already busy searching for the meaning of AI and what it can do; however, I want to share one inspiring fact about AI. It can analyze vast amounts of data in seconds, making sense of complex information and providing instantaneous actionable insights or concise answers. I understand that humans are looking to speed up things, which can help us understand technology better and perform our tasks faster.

The main reason AI is in focus is because of its ability to perform tasks faster than ever. We aim to enhance the performance of all our products, including the everyday household electronic items we use. Similarly, are we striving to accelerate the learning process? I am committed to assisting you, and one such method is concise, short (minute-long) videos.

In today's fast-paced world, where attention spans are shorter than ever, the rise of social media platforms has made it easier for anyone to create and share short videos. This is where minute videos come in. These bite-sized clips offer a quick and engaging way to deliver information to the audience with a significant impact. Understanding the definitions of technical terms in VLSI Design can often be accomplished in just a minute.

Below are the definitions of the essential stages in the RTL2GDSII Flow. For further reference, these definitions are also accessible on YouTube.

What is RTL Coding in VLSI Design?

     

What is Digital Verification?

     

What Is Synthesis in VLSI Design?

     

What Is Logic Equivalence Checking in VLSI Design?

     

What Is DFT in VLSI Design?

     

What is Digital Implementation?

     

What is Power Planning?

     

What are DRC and LVS in Physical Verification?

     

What are On-Chip Variations?  

     

Want to Learn More?

The Cadence RTL-to-GDSII Flow training is available as both "Blended" and "Live" Please reach out to Cadence Training for further information.

And don't forget to obtain your Digital Badge after completing the training!

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Here Is the Recording of the RTL-to-GDSII Flow FrontEnd Webinar!

In this recent Training Webinar, we explore the concepts of RTL design, design verification, and coverage analysis while unveiling the exciting world of front-end design flow by guiding you through essential steps involved in creating integrated circuits—the building blocks of modern electronics.

We’ll break down the process into manageable stages, from defining the chip’s functionality to its physical realization. We’ll investigate the front-end part of the RTL-to-GDSII flow—from specification to functional verification and design coverage—and explore:

  • Key concepts of specifying chip behavior and performance
  • How to translate ideas into a digital blueprint and transform that into a design
  • How to ensure your design is free of errors

Watch the Training Webinar recording from September 18, 2024: A Beginner’s Guide to RTL-to-GDSII Front-End Flow

Want to Learn More?

This link gives you more information about this RTL-to-GDSII Flow, the related training course, and a link to enroll:

Cadence RTL-to-GDSII Flow Training

The course includes slides with audio and downloadable laboratory exercises designed to emphasize the topics covered in the lecture. There is also a Digital Badge available for the training.

 Also, take this opportunity to register for the free Online Training related to this Webinar Topic.

Cadence RTL-to-GDSII Flow

Xcelium Simulator

Verilog Language and Application

Learning Maps

The online class is free for all Cadence customers with a Cadence Learning and Support Portal account. For instructor-led training sessions "Live" or "Blended" please contact Cadence Training.

Related Training Bytes

What is RTL Coding In VLSI Design?

What is Digital Verification?

What Is Synthesis in VLSI Design?

What Is Logic Equivalence Checking in VLSI Design?

What Is DFT in VLSI Design?

What is Digital Implementation?

What is Power Planning?

What are DRC and LVS in Physical Verification?

What are On-Chip Variations?

Related Blogs

Did You Miss the RTL-to-GDSII Webinar? No Worries, the Recording Is Available!

Training Insights – Why Is RTL Translated into Gate-Level Netlist?

Training Bytes: They May Be Shorter, But the Impact Is Stronger!

Cadence Support - A Round-the-Clock Problem Solver, Webinar Recording Available!




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