SpringSoft, Inc. (TAIEX:2473),
a global supplier of specialized IC design software, and UMC (NYSE:UMC) (TSE:2303),
a leading global semiconductor foundry, today announced immediate availability
of the foundry-certified Laker™ process design kit (PDK) for UMC 65-nanometer
(nm) manufacturing technologies. This jointly developed PDK is the result of
collaboration between the two companies to address the specialized design and
leading-edge manufacturing requirements of their mutual customers. The companies'
on-going cooperation is focused on delivering a series of Laker-UMC PDKs that
enable design teams to bring differentiated products to market faster.
Developed using SpringSoft’s Laker Custom Layout software, the Laker-UMC
PDK supports the UMC 65nm CMOS standard logic process with mixed-mode technologies
and low-k dielectrics. UMC's 65nm standard performance process enables designers
to power a broad range of applications from consumer products to graphic ICs.
Technology options can then be implemented including mixed signal/RFCMOS and
embedded memories to further customize the process. The PDK includes device
symbols, highly optimized parameterized cells (i.e., Laker MCells), pre-validated
design rules and the latest technology files. The Laker-UMC 65nm CMOS PDK is
available online for UMC customers.
“As a developer of digital television System-On-Chip solutions for the
rapidly growing consumer electronics markets, we’re faced with challenging
time-to-market windows and relentless demand for more functionality at lower
cost points with each new product generation,” said Saeid Moshkelani,
senior vice president of engineering at Trident Microsystems, Inc. “This
puts extraordinary pressure on our development teams, and makes it imperative
that they have access to world-class design tools and manufacturing technologies.
The PDK collaboration by SpringSoft and UMC ensures that designers have the
latest, most accurate information, so they can spend more time on innovation
than implementation.”
“UMC collaborates with EDA tool vendors to deliver design support solutions
that help designers more easily produce layouts that are optimized for our manufacturing
processes,” said Stephen Fu, director of the IP Development & Design
Support Division at UMC. “We applaud SpringSoft’s diligence in supporting
the needs of Laker users, and are very pleased with the results of our first
jointly developed and qualified PDK for 65nm designs.”
“The Laker user community spans a broad range of product applications,
and their technology requirements are very often driven by the markets they
serve. However, the basic challenge of simplifying the design implementation
process is universal, which underscores the significance of our PDK efforts,”
said Johnson Teng, chief operating officer of SpringSoft. “We’ve
enjoyed a very productive working relationship with UMC, and look forward to
expanding the line of Laker-UMC PDKs in the near future.”