Objective
The MAP2 project will enable innovative extensions to existing products of BullDAST s.r.l. Italy, and ChipVision Design Systems AG, Germany. Both SMEs are technology leaders of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for the design of power efficient sys tems. CMOS technologies below 90nm will enable adding value to many products and services, e.g. in mobile communication and transportation. However, the use of these technologies is severely limited by the increase in design cost and power consumption. Th is is a challenge, but also a large opportunity for EDA vendors. The current products of BullDAST and ChipVision are complementary working at different, but adjacent phases of the design chain. The ORINOCO tool by ChipVision allows power analysis and optim ization at the pre-implementation phase, when the micro-architecture of a subsystem is designed from C or SystemC specifications. The PowerChecker tool by BullDAST performs architectural power estimation and optimization before RTL synthesis. The new proto type products of MAP2 will allow a seamless design flow between both tools and an automatic insertion of power management structures. This will be done at the earliest possible phases of design development, thus ensuring the highest efficiency. Such solutions will secure both SME EDA vendors a privileged position in their market. The new tools will also put the user of such tools in a favourable situation, because they will be able to design low power devices in the shortest possible time. The third SME partner will be such a user: CSEM, Switzerland, a world leading circuits and systems design house with a well established business in the domain of full-custom and semi-custom design services. The envisioned tool solution will not be possible without the contribution of two research performers, i.e. Politecnico di Torino, Italy and OFFIS, Germany, whose expertise and competence in the specific domain of low-power electronic design is recognized world-wide.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2004-SME-COOP
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