Date: Wednesday, 9:00 -11: 30AM, March 21, 2007

Venue: Fudan University

Speakers: Professor Andreas Kuehlmann & Dr. Zhenhai Zhu

Titles:

 1. “The Challenges of Design Flow Integration” - Andreas Kuehlmann

 2. "Random Sampling of Moment Graph: - A Stochastic Krylov-Reduction Algorithm" – Zhenhai Zhu

 3. "Research Activities at Cadence Berkeley Labs" - Andreas Kuehlmann

The Challenges of Design Flow Integration - Andreas Kuehlmann

Abstract: The Design of complex integrated systems faces a growing number of challenges from two frontiers. First, the increasing unpredictability of the progressing semiconductor manufacturing process requires new analysis and optimization approaches that utilize comprehensive modeling of process uncertainties for driving a novel, variation- aware design optimization flow. Second, the increasing system complexity demands new specification methods at higher levels of abstraction that can support efficient architectural exploration, functional verification, and implementation flows. Both challenges require a tight integration of the overall design tool flow resulting in a departure from traditional sequencing of point-tools. In this presentation we will discuss a number of these problems in detail and outline possible approaches to their solutions. We will further address their impact on algorithmic design and tool integration and discuss new opportunities for academic researchers to help overcome these challenges.

Research Activities at Cadence Berkeley Labs - Andreas Kuehlmann

http://www.cadence.com/company/cadence_labs/index.aspx

Abstract: Twelve years ago Cadence Laboratories have been founded to work on basic and applied research problems that are essential for the companies’ technology pipeline. Over the years, the researchers of the Labs have been made numerous contributions to many technologies areas that have pushed the state of the art and greatly benefited Cadence's products. In this talk we will give an overview of the research portfolio, discuss selected projects in some details, and provide insight into the operational model of the Labs

Random Sampling of Moment Graph: A Stochastic Krylov-Reduction Algorithm – Zhenhai Zhu

Abstract: In this talk we introduce a new algorithm for model order reduction in the presence of parameter or process variation. Our analysis is performed using a graph interpretation of the multi-parameter moment matching approach, leading to a computational technique based on Random Sampling of Moment Graph (RSMG). Using this technique, we have developed a new algorithm that combines the best aspects of recently proposed parameterized moment-matching and approximate TBR procedures. RSMG attempts to avoid both exponential growth of computational complexity and multiple matrix factorizations, the primary drawbacks of existing methods, and illustrates good ability to tailor algorithms to apply computational effort where needed. Industry examples are used to verify our new algorithms.

Reference of Andreas Kuehlmann (Director of CBL)

http://www.cadence.com/company/cadence_labs/bio.aspx?xml=bio_kuehlmann

His research topics included algorithms for automatic layout verification and synthesis. After graduation, from 1990 to 1991, Andreas worked at the Fraunhofer Institute of Microelectronic Circuits and Systems, Duisburg, Germany, on a project to automatically synthesize embedded microcontrollers. In 1991 he joined the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center where he worked until June 2000 on various projects in high-level and logic synthesis and hardware verification. Among others, he was the principal author and project leader of Verity, IBM's standard equivalence checking tool. From January 1998 until May 1999 Andreas visited the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at U.C. Berkeley. In July 2000 he joined the Cadence Berkeley Laboratories where he continues to work on synthesis and verification problems. Since July 2002, he is also Adjunct Professor at the University of California at Berkeley teaching classes and advising graduate students. In 2003 Andreas was awarded IEEE Fellow.

　

Reference of Zhenhai Zhu (Research Scientist at CBL)

http://www.cadence.com/company/cadence_labs/bio.aspx?xml=bio_zhu

He is the recipient of IEEE/ACM William J. McCalla 2005 ICCAD Best Paper Award for his work on fast stochastic integral equation solver.  At MIT, he also developed FastImp, a public-domain fast impedance extraction code, and pfft++, a public-domain fast integral equation solver. FastImp is generally considered as the state-of-the-art academic solver for the high-frequency analysis of 3D interconnects. The code pfft++ has been used to solve various partial differential equations in different engineering applications, such as computational aerodynamics, bio-molecular simulation and drug design, and computational electromagnetics.

His research interests focus on numerical modeling and simulation in Electronic Design Automation. Current research projects include variational model order reduction, statistical timing and lithography simulation.