[SI-LIST] Re: Need for SI Service Bureaus?
- From: "Barry Katz" <bkatz@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 10:45:03 -0500
All,
Just catching up my mail. But here are my two cents.
The industry HAS reached the point where companies must revamp their
approach to signal integrity analysis. This includes implementing effective
tools and methodologies, as well as considering outsourcing.
Until recently, most signal integrity issues could be addressed using sound
design and layout techniques. Simulations were only used for the most
advanced designs. However as 250+ MHz memory systems and 500+ MHz system
data rates are becoming more common, existing tools and techniques no longer
sufficiently address all of the potential SI problems. Two of the most
visible manifestations of this situation are the low quality behavioral
models supplied for ?free? (?free? is a relative term) by the semiconductor
industry and the increased number of spins before a design is released.
The stark reality is there are manifold issues to consider when embarking on
a new high-speed design. Hspice, IBIS, and Timing libraries must be
created. Simulations must be run across the entire solution space (a broad
topic in itself) to ensure operation across all corner conditions. The
resultant mountain of data must be effectively managed AND interpreted. And
of course, the timelines allotted to perform these activities is constantly
shrinking.
In summary, three conditions must exist to ensure that a high-speed design
project is successful:
1. A rigorous and thorough design, simulation, and analysis methodology
must
be in place
2. A simulation and analysis environment capable of efficiently managing
thousands of simulations and tens of thousands of edges must be in place
3. Experienced signal integrity engineers must oversee the application
aforementioned tools and methodology
The absence of one condition will make design success very challenging. The
absence of two or three conditions will make success nearly impossible.
In short, today?s high-speed designs require a more advanced set of tools
and techniques. Whether they are deployed internally or outsourced are both
viable options. Outsourcing can provide a significant benefit to design
teams by allowing them to access a significant breadth of skills and
experience.
Barry
Barry Katz
President & CTO
Signal Integrity Software, Inc.
6 Clock Tower Place, Suite 250
Maynard, MA 01754
O: 978 461 0449 x19
M: 978 618 9078
www.sisoft.com
-----Original Message-----
From: si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Shawn Arnold
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2002 11:47 AM
To: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [SI-LIST] Need for SI Service Bureaus?
To all list members,
A few of us in Silicon Valley have been discussing the need for a
Specctraquest "type", tools to be determined by market demands, Signal
Integrity service bureau, similar to PCB design service bureaus.
After researching the market, we have noticed that there are a small handful
of EMS players that offer this service, but they concentrate on the
"complete" system build for their top tier clients. We have also noticed
that a couple of PCB design service bureaus have poked into this area, but
typically will not pay for quality SI talent to do the job correctly and
have gotten bad reputations already, the same can be said for a few top tier
PCB fabricators.
Has the market reached a point where outsourcing of these typically internal
resources is a valid business model and under what conditions would you use,
or not use, this type of service?
Please respond, pro or con. All comments welcome.
Sincerely,
Shawn Arnold
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