Category Archives: General
Don’t use that tone – checklists
It should be clear to all that a tape out check list is essential (see Quality babel fish and ROMs, checklists and personal responsibility); before you spend $1M+ it is key to know what you are shipping and agree that it
Don’t use that tone – checklists
It should be clear to all that a tape out check list is essential (see Quality babel fish and ROMs, checklists and personal responsibility); before you spend $1M+ it is key to know what you are shipping and agree that it
How big should a unit (test) be?
The term “Unit Test” is taken to be the lowest level of testing. How big should this Unit be? If we looked to software for the answer with Test Driven Development and Uncle Bob’s maximum four line function, then a
How big should a unit (test) be?
The term “Unit Test” is taken to be the lowest level of testing. How big should this Unit be? If we looked to software for the answer with Test Driven Development and Uncle Bob’s maximum four line function, then a
Unmanufactured CAD sub layers
Lesson learnt Make sure that your LVS deck only uses manufactured layers to provide connectivity. Otherwise the LVS result may not be valid. The tale We had got to within hours of tape out. The chip needed to go, for
Unmanufactured CAD sub layers
Lesson learnt Make sure that your LVS deck only uses manufactured layers to provide connectivity. Otherwise the LVS result may not be valid. The tale We had got to within hours of tape out. The chip needed to go, for
Only two reasons..
Back in 2013 I presented to Mike Bartley’s “Future Verification”conference in Reading, UK. In this I boldly claimed that there were only two reasons for silicon failure: The ASIC model failed or The feature was not verified It was slightly odd
Only two reasons..
Back in 2013 I presented to Mike Bartley’s “Future Verification”conference in Reading, UK. In this I boldly claimed that there were only two reasons for silicon failure: The ASIC model failed or The feature was not verified It was slightly odd
IP is Trust
This is a talk I did back in 2013 for the NMI (National Microelectronic Institute) in the UK. The actual talk was called “IP DD : Due Diligence for IP”. It would very helpful with IP, like other products, if you
IP is Trust
This is a talk I did back in 2013 for the NMI (National Microelectronic Institute) in the UK. The actual talk was called “IP DD : Due Diligence for IP”. It would very helpful with IP, like other products, if you
Quality babel fish
In my first few months of work the company ran a TQM session. Maybe you remember that TQM was Total Quality Management. The sessions were run by the personnel department. I can still picture them presenting TQM. I had no
Quality babel fish
In my first few months of work the company ran a TQM session. Maybe you remember that TQM was Total Quality Management. The sessions were run by the personnel department. I can still picture them presenting TQM. I had no
ROMs, checklists and personal responsibility
This bugs is not subtle and it was not hard to find. It was just stupid. The wrong boot ROM was included in the design. How could this happen? When I first started work I was hugely impressed with the
ROMs, checklists and personal responsibility
This bugs is not subtle and it was not hard to find. It was just stupid. The wrong boot ROM was included in the design. How could this happen? When I first started work I was hugely impressed with the
Beginners guide to debugging silicon
A two minute guide.. If you freeze spray the device and it changes behaviour you have a bug, And it is most likely a “Broken ASIC model” type bug. If you slow the clock down and it starts to work,
Beginners guide to debugging silicon
A two minute guide.. If you freeze spray the device and it changes behaviour you have a bug, And it is most likely a “Broken ASIC model” type bug. If you slow the clock down and it starts to work,
When silicon fails.. 