The paper explains how they were able to develop a high-performance SoC to operate to specification under extremely challenging 400W dynamic power conditions. The device also achieved first-pass silicon success on TSMC’s 7nm process technology.
The achievement is significant because cloud-hosting data centres tend to require tremendous amounts of energy to process the multi-terabytes of data that are required. That energy generates millions of BTUs of heat which is a sizeable physical challenge for a computing system to deal with as it introduces a range of complex challenges such as IR drop, EM signoff, thermal considerations, and packaging design.
The data challenge itself is another huge ask. The most advanced SoC designs require higher compute density and faster interfaces, while operating efficiently in extremely elevated thermal conditions. In addition, server CPUs are handling increasing sizes of data sets, forcing more data movement to and from embedded SRAM.
Using Synopsys design tools and innovative IP, Alchip engineers were able to develop a SoC capable of punching out more than 2.5 gigahertz (GHz) of performance across a 480mm2 device while running on dynamic power of less than 400W.
“This project really illustrates that solving today’s complex IC challenges requires multi-company collaboration. Both Synopsys and Alchip are members of TSMC Open Innovation Platform, and it takes an industry effort of this magnitude to productively channel our collective energies,” explained Leo Cheng, Senior Vice President, Design Engineering, Alchip Technologies.
