Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics Company, Ltd., Synopsys,
Inc. and Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. today announced that
Rockchip has achieved first-time silicon success on its next-generation multimedia
system-on-a-chip (SoC), using a combination of Synopsys' tools, intellectual
property (IP) and services with Chartered's 65-nanometer (nm) manufacturing
technology. The RK 28 multimedia SoC, Rockchip's first mass-production 65nm
chip designed in China and targeted primarily for the China market, is an application
processor for mobile handheld devices. The RK28 chip was designed with Synopsys'
full RTL-to-GDSII flow using best-in-class technology from the Galaxy
Implementation and Discovery Verification Platforms, as well as DesignWare
IP, and implemented in Chartered's advanced low-power (65nm LP) process.
"The mobile applications served by our customers require chips that can
meet stringent low-power specifications without compromising performance, and
our multimedia RK28 SoC delivers on both fronts," said Feng Chen, chief
marketing officer of Rockchip. "Our EDA and manufacturing partners played
key roles in the success of our program. Our ability to reach design closure
within our market window then rapidly move from tapeout to production silicon
validates the choices we made with Synopsys and Chartered."
Since the 65nm RK28 represented Rockchip's first design at a new technology
node, production-proven technology and knowledge sharing among the parties were
essential to project success. The design took advantage of Synopsys' IC Compiler
with Zroute technology to exceed its 500MHz performance target, while employing
advanced low-power design techniques such as multi-voltage and power gating
to reduce power consumption. The production-proven VMM verification methodology
and VCS functional verification solution were used to verify Rockchip's
design. The RK28 chip also integrates silicon-proven Synopsys DesignWare IP,
including USB 2.0 PHY, USB HS OTG Controller and SD/MMC Host Controller. Design
consultants from Synopsys Professional Services worked closely with Rockchip's
engineers throughout the project, merging critical skills and expertise to mitigate
project risks and address schedule pressures. The implementation of the design
in Chartered's 65nm LP process enabled the chip to achieve target power, performance
and area goals with first silicon, and quickly ramp to production volume.
"At Chartered, we understand our customers need technology and solutions
with low risk and high yield to speed time to market, and we are pleased to
see our collaboration with Rockchip and Synopsys achieve first-pass silicon
success," said Dr. Liang-Choo "LC" Hsia, senior vice president
of technology development at Chartered. "The Rockchip-Synopsys-Chartered
collaboration demonstrates how a strong foundation can support companies on
the leading edge of design, especially those in the consumer entertainment and
mobile applications."
"Rockchip joins a growing list of innovative chip developers that are taking
advantage of Synopsys' broad portfolio of tools, IP and services to accomplish
their aggressive design goals with efficiency," said John Chilton, senior
vice president of marketing and strategic development at Synopsys. "Our
collaboration with Rockchip and Chartered demonstrates our commitment to serve
customers in China and the rest of the world with solutions that accelerate
tapeout and enhance manufacturability."