Cadence library characterisation solution accelerates delivery

With Liberate MX Trio Characterisation, Arm achieved its accuracy and capacity requirements and reduced memory liberty variation format (LVF) characterization validation runtime by 7X when compared with brute-force Monte Carlo simulation.

Liberate MX Trio Characterisation, a library characterisation solution that is suited for large, advanced-node memory designs, enabled the Arm engineering team to efficiently and accurately perform characterization validation of its embedded memory instances and compilers. Unlike traditional solutions that require tradeoffs between runtime and accuracy, Liberate MX Trio Characterisation provided Arm with automated and simulation-based dynamic partitioning to reduce runtime, increase capacity and maintain SPICE-level accuracy.

In addition, the Liberate MX Trio Characterisation’s probing capabilities helped Arm identify the most critical timing arcs and reduce the manual effort associated with characterisation path selection. Simulations on the full RC netlist covering a complete vector set let Arm identify accurate worst-case paths and maintain SPICE-level accuracy. Moving from Arm’s previous brute-force Monte Carlo simulation methodology to the Liberate MX Trio Characterisation variation LVF analysis methodology saved Arm weeks of validation time through the solution’s automated and less error-prone methodology.

“Arm has been leveraging the Liberate Trio Characterisation Suite for standard cell characterization, so it was an easy choice for us to broaden our deployment with Liberate MX Trio Characterisation to address our evolving LVF memory characterization needs,” said Philippe Moyer, VP Design Enablement, Physical Design Group, Arm. “By incorporating Liberate MX Trio Characterisation into our methodology, we are improving accuracy, capacity and meeting time-to-market goals with the delivery of our embedded memory instances and compilers.”

“Memory characterisation can have a significant impact on signoff accuracy, and Arm was looking for a reliable solution for its embedded memory IP that would help them achieve their accuracy requirements while speeding time to market,” said Sharad Mehrotra, VP of R&D, in the Digital & Signoff Group at Cadence. “Arm joined a community of successful, production-proven Liberate MX Trio Characterisation customers, trusting the solution for its memory characterization needs and expanding upon its use of the broader Liberate product portfolio for standard cell power and performance characterisation.”

The Liberate MX Trio Characterisation is part of the broader digital full flow, which supports the company’s Intelligent System Design strategy and enables SoC design excellence.