Project description
New tool to detect electromagnetic crosstalk
Semiconductor chip design is becoming more and more complex. Technological trends like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, for instance, require increased use of on-chip signal frequencies past 2 GHz. However, these increasingly complex designs lead to electromagnetic crosstalk – unwanted interference caused by one signal’s electric and magnetic fields affecting another signal. If not addressed, crosstalk can cost up to billions for chip manufacturers. There are currently no tools available to detect crosstalk during the early stages. In this context, the EU-funded CRAM project will bring to market an automated crosstalk analysis tool. It will help chip manufacturers to tackle the problem of crosstalk analysis before it becomes a problem.
Objective
Helic produces Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, and specifically Electromagnetic Modelling (EM) software for Integrated Circuit (IC) Design. The tools are used to produce realistic models of ICs, to simulate operation under realistic conditions, thus generating savings both by reducing the number of IC prototyping and measurement cycles, as well as by significantly shortening Time to Market.
The Company aims to become a world leader in a literally new market segment opening up in the EDA sector for Automated Crosstalk Analysis. The market is driven by high-value and high-growth applications in the 5G Networks, Cloud, IoT and Automotive sectors.
Recent System on Chip design trends with requirements for high levels of chip density and integration, high RF frequency, Gbps bit rates and low power consumption, are establishing Crosstalk noise both as a major design constraint as well as a horrifying uncertainty for delayed Time to Market and subsequent revenue generation.
Helic is in a unique position to create a game-changing Automated Crosstalk Analysis tool, which will (a) allow IC designers to abandon expensive and limiting risk-averse design practices and (b) eliminate the risk of missing the Market window of opportunity due to extended IC prototyping-debugging cycles, with potential financial penalty of up to $0.5bn for an advanced SoC.
Although Helic tools contain all the necessary underlying, patented technology to tackle the problem of Crosstalk Analysis, significant product development effort is required to deliver a new Automated Crosstalk Analysis tool.
The proposed feasibility study will address both the required product development effort and associated risk, as well as end-user functional requirements and market needs via an extended market survey with existing and prospect customers. The project will deliver a business plan including fully resourced product development roadmap, operational capacity and financial planning and risk assessment.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligence
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network5G
- social sciencessociologyindustrial relationsautomation
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringautomotive engineering
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
D18 NW62 SANDYFORD DUBLIN
Ireland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.