Mentor to deliver selected EDA technologies to Freescale

GABE MORETTI

August 14, 2006

GABE MORETTI

The successful development of SoC products in the sub 90nm processes requires vewry close collaboration among a number of partners in different segments of the electronic industry. In particular, foundries and EDA vendors must work together to develop, document, and support a methodology that will guarantee a profitable yield level for chips designed with the methodology. The agreement announced today between Mentor graphics Corporation and Freescale Semiconductor is an example of such collaboration. Mentor plans to provide EDA tools in several focused areas of the nanometer chip design flow. The plan includes tools in the areas of Design for Test (DFT), physical verification and analysis, advanced Resolution Enhancement Technologies (RET) and post-tapeout Design for Manufacturing (DFM). The new arrangement expands on an existing collaboration in areas where Freescale and Mentor can develop methods to improve test and manufacturing capability. Ross Hirschi, Director of Methodologies and Flow Development at Freescale said that his company aims to provide Manufacture-Aware Design methods at every phase of the chip design process, from architectural design to mask preparation.