Synopsys CEO reveals chip design strategies for AI era

The evolution of chip design: From manual drafting to AI-assisted innovation: Over the past few decades, the semiconductor industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, with chip design shifting from manual processes to sophisticated software-driven approaches.

• Synopsys, founded in 1986, has been at the forefront of this evolution, developing electronic design automation (EDA) software that has become critical to the chip design process.
• The company’s journey mirrors the industry’s progression, starting with basic design tools and expanding to encompass complex system-level design and AI-assisted optimization.
• Sassine Ghazi, Synopsys’ CEO, brings 26 years of experience within the company, providing unique insights into the changing landscape of chip design and the role of EDA software.

Key milestones in EDA development: Synopsys’ product evolution reflects the increasing complexity and demands of chip design over time.

• The company’s first product, Design Compiler, allowed engineers to describe chip intent using software language, automating the synthesis process.
• Subsequent additions included verification capabilities to ensure design accuracy and reliability.
• As manufacturing processes became more intricate, Synopsys implemented physical design constraints to address new challenges.
• The introduction of IP blocks for standard chip components further streamlined the design process.
• Recent developments focus on system-level design and leveraging AI to optimize chip performance.

The critical role of EDA in modern chip design: As Moore’s Law approaches its physical limits, EDA software has become increasingly vital for continuing performance gains in semiconductor technology.

• EDA tools enable chip designers to explore larger design spaces and optimize performance beyond what traditional scaling allows.
• Close collaboration between Synopsys, chip designers, and foundries like TSMC is now essential for pushing the boundaries of advanced manufacturing nodes.
• The software helps address complex challenges in power consumption, thermal management, and signal integrity that arise at smaller process nodes.

AI and machine learning in chip design: The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into EDA tools is revolutionizing the chip design process.

• AI-assisted design allows for the exploration of vastly larger design spaces, potentially uncovering optimizations that human designers might miss.
• Machine learning algorithms can predict performance and power characteristics, speeding up the design iteration process.
• There is potential for generative AI to play a role in future chip design, though the exact applications are still being explored.

Emerging challenges in chip design: New packaging technologies and system-level integration are introducing novel design considerations.

• Chiplets and 3D packaging technologies require EDA tools to address challenges in thermal management, power delivery, and inter-chip communication.
• Synopsys is expanding its focus from chip-level to system-level design and simulation to meet these new demands.
• The acquisition of Ansys adds multi-physics simulation capabilities, allowing for more comprehensive system-level analysis.

Collaboration with industry leaders: Synopsys works closely with a range of partners to advance chip design capabilities.

• The company collaborates with major foundries like TSMC to ensure its tools are optimized for the latest manufacturing processes.
• Hyperscalers and other companies engaging in custom chip design are becoming important partners as they seek to optimize hardware for specific applications.
• These collaborations help Synopsys stay at the forefront of industry needs and drive innovation in EDA tools.

Future directions for EDA and chip design: The semiconductor industry continues to evolve, with several key trends shaping the future of chip design.

• Increased use of AI and ML in chip design is expected, potentially leading to more automated and efficient design processes.
• Full-system simulation and digital twins are becoming more important as chip designs become more complex and integrated into larger systems.
• The expansion into multi-physics simulation through the Ansys acquisition positions Synopsys to address a broader range of design challenges.

Analyzing deeper: The symbiotic relationship between EDA and semiconductor innovation: The evolution of EDA software and chip design capabilities demonstrates a reciprocal relationship driving progress in the semiconductor industry.

• As chip designs become more complex, EDA tools must evolve to meet new challenges, which in turn enables further innovation in chip design.
• This cycle of innovation has allowed the semiconductor industry to continue advancing despite the physical limitations of traditional scaling approaches.
• The future of chip design will likely be shaped by the continued development of AI-assisted tools and the ability to simulate and optimize entire systems, rather than just individual chips.