By dramatically lowering the cost barrier for custom silicon chips, the program enables academic institutions to turn their design concepts into working silicon chips, expanding opportunities for education, research and workforce development.
Forty universities worldwide are participating in the sponsored open-source 180MCU pilot project, which launches this fall. Synopsys will provide comprehensive support, including professional electronic design automation (EDA) tools, training and design materials using the Synopsys Cloud Design Platform. Once the designs are finalized, GF will manufacture the chips under its GlobalShuttle Multi-Project Wafer Program, which combines designs from multiple institutions onto a single wafer for manufacturing.
“Partnering with GlobalFoundries to offer a full course from chip design to tapeout at universities is a milestone,” said Dr. Patrick Haspel, Executive Director of SARA at Synopsys. “This collaboration will give students hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies – skills that are critical to innovation in the semiconductor industry. Together, we are not only teaching design skills, but educating the next generation of engineers who will shape the future of the semiconductor industry.”
As Synopsys and GF continue to expand this workforce development initiative, the next phase of the tapeout will focus on integrating these technologies directly into the classroom and incorporating hands-on design and test procedures into the curriculum. With the goal of getting students to collaborate in a design course, Synopsys will train professors to lead this course. After a shuttle run, the second course will address in-class testing, with chips returned for the next semester.
“This program reflects our deep commitment to fostering innovation in the semiconductor space and nurturing the next generation of talent,” said Bika Carter, Director of External R&D at GF. “By giving students and researchers the opportunity to take their designs from concept to silicon, we are enriching chip design education and helping to shape the future of our industry. We are proud to work with Synopsys to nurture the talented minds that will drive the breakthroughs of tomorrow.”
This design enablement collaboration is supported by Synopsys’ SARA program, which provides software, cloud environments, training and curriculum to equip students with the latest technologies and learning materials. The new collaboration between Synopsys and GF is an example of the SARA program’s commitment to engaging in semiconductor workforce development initiatives and nurturing talent globally. In addition to providing key tools and access to the cloud environment for participating universities, the SARA program also offers comprehensive course content and training.
The tapeout training pilot is just one aspect of GF’s university partnership program designed to close the prototyping gap in academia and expand access to new technologies to support technology innovation in the semiconductor industry. Working with more than 80 universities, 110 professors and 600 students, the program selects projects that align with GF’s R&E roadmap priorities to support research breakthroughs in areas such as radio frequency, radar, quantum computing, silicon photonics, sensors and more.
The combination of Synopsys and GlobalFoundries brings together industry-leading EDA design tools and advanced manufacturing technologies, enabling academic institutions to provide their students with an integrated, hands-on journey through the semiconductor process.
Resources
- Learn more about the Synopsys Academic & Research Alliances (SARA) program.
- Learn more about GF’s university network.
About Synopsys
Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) is the leading provider of silicon-to-system engineering solutions that enable customers to rapidly develop innovative AI-powered products. We provide industry-leading solutions for silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis, and design services. We work closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&E capabilities and productivity, driving today’s innovations that fuel tomorrow’s ingenuity.
About GF
GlobalFoundries (GF) is a leading manufacturer of critical semiconductors that the world relies on to live, work and communicate. We innovate and collaborate with customers to deliver more energy-efficient, higher-performance products for the automotive industry, smart mobile devices, the Internet of Things, communications infrastructure and other high-growth markets. With our global manufacturing presence in the US, Europe and Asia, GF is a trusted and reliable partner for customers around the world. Every day, our talented and diverse team delivers results with a relentless focus on safety, durability and sustainability.
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Further links
👉 www.gf.com
👉 www.synopsys.com
Photo: pixabay
