MediaTek Accelerates 2nm Chip Design with AI-Driven Cadence Virtuoso Studio and Spectre X on NVIDIA Platform
In the ever-evolving semiconductor industry, staying ahead of the curve is critical for success. MediaTek, a global leader in advanced system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, has taken a significant leap forward by adopting Cadence’s AI-driven Virtuoso Studio and Spectre X Simulator on NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform. This strategic move is aimed at addressing the escalating challenges of designing high-speed analog IP for 2nm technology nodes. With performance and turnaround time (TAT) being top priorities, MediaTek leverages these cutting-edge tools to achieve remarkable gains in efficiency and productivity.
Boosting Design Efficiency by 30% with Virtuoso Studio
One of the standout benefits of MediaTek’s adoption of Cadence Virtuoso Studio is the dramatic improvement in design efficiency. The platform’s advanced optimization capabilities have enhanced MediaTek’s design-centering process, resulting in a 30% productivity boost. By streamlining workflows and automating repetitive tasks, Virtuoso Studio empowers MediaTek’s design teams to focus on innovation rather than manual processes.
The Virtuoso ADE Suite, a key component of the platform, integrates MediaTek’s proprietary AI-powered optimization algorithms into its product development workflow. This integration has significantly improved circuit design efficiency, enabling faster iterations and higher-quality outcomes. Additionally, MediaTek’s analog layout team has adopted the Virtuoso Layout Suite device-level router for custom digital blocks in 2nm technology, further enhancing layout productivity.
Moreover, MediaTek has customized a prototyping placement and low-power prediction flow using Virtuoso’s open platform and AI capabilities. This innovative approach has delivered another 30% improvement in design productivity, underscoring the versatility and adaptability of Cadence’s tools.
Spectre X Simulator on NVIDIA GPUs: Up to 6X Performance Gains
Another cornerstone of MediaTek’s strategy is the use of the Spectre X Simulator running on NVIDIA Hopper GPUs, including the H100. This combination has proven to be a game changer, delivering up to 6X greater performance for post-layout simulations of large, advanced-node designs while maintaining the same level of accuracy as CPU-based simulations.
For MediaTek, this performance boost is invaluable. As design complexity increases, the ability to verify large-scale designs quickly and accurately becomes paramount. By leveraging NVIDIA’s GPU acceleration, MediaTek can reduce simulation times significantly, accelerating time-to-market without compromising on precision.
“Improved performance and efficiency are key to advancing today’s complex chip design processes,” said Dion Harris, director of accelerated computing at NVIDIA. “With Cadence’s Spectre X running on NVIDIA Hopper GPUs, companies like MediaTek can accelerate the verification of their complex post-layout designs, maximize analog circuit simulation performance, and reduce time to market.”
Collaboration Driving Innovation
The collaboration between MediaTek, Cadence, and NVIDIA highlights the importance of partnerships in overcoming the challenges of advanced-node design. Ching San Wu, corporate vice president at MediaTek, emphasized the value of this collaboration: “As MediaTek continues to push technology boundaries for 2nm development, we need a trusted design solution with strong AI-powered tools to achieve our goals. Closely collaborating with Cadence, we have adopted the Cadence Virtuoso Studio and Spectre X Simulator, which deliver the performance and accuracy necessary to achieve our tight design turnaround time requirements.”
Cadence’s commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous investment in enhancing its custom design solutions and AI tools. “MediaTek’s validation of our latest Virtuoso Studio release and Spectre X Simulator on NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform demonstrates that Cadence’s continued investment in enhancing our industry-leading custom design solutions and AI tools is a game changer for our customers’ most challenging 2nm designs,” said Vinod Kariat, corporate vice president and general manager of the Custom Products Group at Cadence.
Why This Matters for the Semiconductor Industry
The semiconductor industry is at a pivotal moment, with demand for faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient chips growing exponentially. Advanced-node technologies like 2nm are critical for meeting these demands, but they also present unique challenges. MediaTek’s adoption of AI-driven tools and GPU-accelerated computing exemplifies how companies can overcome these hurdles and stay competitive.
By combining the power of AI, advanced EDA tools, and GPU acceleration, MediaTek is setting a new standard for efficiency and innovation in chip design. This approach not only reduces time-to-market but also ensures that designs meet the highest standards of performance and accuracy.
