SandCraft Selects Circuit Semantics

SandCraft Tapes Out SR1GX and SR71000 Family of High Performance Microprocessors Using Circuit Semantics' Characterization and Static Timing Analysis Tools

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 2002-- In order to make sure that their high performance, MIPS-based microprocessors would meet specifications with first silicon, SandCraft, Inc. has chosen DynaCore(TM), a solution for deep submicron block characterization and static timing analysis from Circuit Semantics, Inc.

SandCraft has chosen DynaCore because it is the best alternative on the market today for characterization and static timing analysis, and the only one that supports both custom and ASIC designs. SandCraft has used DynaCore as part of their final sign-off timing flow for several successful tape outs.

According to Tom Arns, Director of CAD for SandCraft, "Most of the timing tools only work with ASIC and standard cell-based designs, but not the type of full custom and structured custom designs that we do. DynaCore is more versatile, and while it works well with ASICs, we can use it both at the block and full chip levels. We count on it as our static timing analysis tool before we tape out. It is part of our most accurate and final timing flow."

SandCraft began shipments in Q1 2002 of the industry's highest performance production released MIPS64 microprocessor on the market, the SR71010A, a 64-bit, 600 MHz microprocessor that has more than 50 million transistors. To test this design, a dedicated team at SandCraft worked for three months doing static timing analysis (STA) with DynaCore on the full chip and block levels, while the designers worked in parallel testing individual full custom blocks.

Arns said, "With DynaCore, we characterize every cell in context, and every circuit under its operating conditions." Because of this characterization in context, SandCraft uses DynaCore on all its microprocessors, characterizing everything, every time they run the timing, avoiding surprises which can cause significant production delays or costly silicon respins.

"Ideally our designers would run SPICE on everything, but that's not feasible," said Arns. To compare how well DynaCore's static timing analysis works vs. SPICE, SandCraft ran several experiments to ensure that DynaCore's static timing results were SPICE accurate. SandCraft discovered that DynaCore is within 2-5% of industry standard SPICE. "When you have this kind accuracy, you can confidently use a static timing approach like the one in DynaCore," Arns continued.

Using DynaCore's static timing analysis capability has given SandCraft a significant edge over their competition. With DynaCore, SandCraft has confidence that they will hit the speeds they commit to deliver.

SandCraft was one of the early adopters of DynaCore, purchasing it in 1998 and integrating it into their production flow in 1999. "The fact that we have used this tool for three years, through successful tape outs in several different process generations says a lot in this business. We've pushed DynaCore to its limits," said Arns.

Furthermore, Arns indicated, "In addition to the technology, the level of Circuit Semantics' responsiveness to our needs as our process technology and methodology changed during this time were also critical for this success."

About SandCraft Inc.

SandCraft, founded in June 1996, develops and markets advanced superscalar microprocessors, based on the MIPS Instruction Set Architecture for use as computing engines in high-performance embedded applications. These processors are primarily targeted for use in communications applications, such as control plane processing in Internet core and edge switch routers. Office automation applications, such as color laser printers and raster image processing, also utilize processors of this class. For more information, visit http://www.sandcraft.com.

About Circuit Semantics, Inc.

Circuit Semantics, Inc. provides timing and characterization solutions for high performance cells, cores, and blocks based on innovative technology for which patents are currently pending. IC designers employ these mixed-level solutions to create high-performance chips using full-custom and structured-custom methodologies. The company's products support precise, gate-level abstraction of transistor-level circuits to accelerate timing closure for designs fabricated in deep submicron (DSM) process technologies. These solutions are especially well suited for the microprocessor, digital signal processing, graphics and the high-speed communications markets. Circuit Semantics is headquartered at 2590 North First Street, Suite 301, San Jose, California 95131, telephone 408/571-4800; fax 408/468-1468. For more information, visit www.circuitsemantics.com.

     Circuit Semantics, Inc.
     Arnie Becker, 408/571-4815
     arnie.becker@circuitsemantics.com
       or
     SandCraft, Inc.
     Sabrina Joseph, 408/490-3213
     publicrelations@sandcraft.com