Mentor Graphics Unveils Next-Generation Calibre Technology for Deep Submicron Verification and Manufacturability

Strategic Insights -

As the electronics industry shifts towards 0.18 micron designs and beyond, manufacturing requirements are evolving to meet the demand for smaller, faster, and cheaper chips. Mentor Graphics Corporation, a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, has unveiled its next-generation Calibre technology for deep submicron (DSM) verification and manufacturability. This technology combines traditional physical verification techniques with critical sub-wavelength manufacturability technology, making it the industry's first complete solution for DSM design.

Key Takeaways:

  • The next-generation Calibre technology integrates optical and process correction (OPC), phase shift masks (PSM), and manufacturability checks within Calibre's hierarchical IC database engine.
  • This integration provides semiconductor manufacturers and design engineers with the performance and reliability required to verify complex designs and take economic advantage of DSM.
  • The technology has already proven its ability to verify both the design and manufacturability of complex deep submicron devices for Advanced Micro Devices and Hitachi in record time.
  • Mentor Graphics' Calibre tool suite captured 25.3 percent of the physical verification market in 1997 and grew at a rate exceeding 200 percent in 1998.
  • The company is the leader in the deep submicron physical verification market, with Calibre used by more than 60 percent of the top integrated device manufacturers worldwide.
  • Wally Rhines, president and CEO of Mentor Graphics, stated that the company examined the technology offerings of all the RET companies before acquiring OPC Technologies in November 1998.
  • Fred Weber, vice president of engineering for Advanced Micro Devices, remarked that Calibre is already AMD's deep submicron verification standard due to its best-in-class layout verification and yield enhancement software tool.
  • Hitachi director of design Technology Development Department, Tatsuya Hagiwara, added that Mentor Graphics' new, expanded Calibre OPC tool suite is a next-generation solution combining verification technology with best-in-class yield-enhancement technology.

Statistics:

  • The Calibre tool suite exceeded 200 percent growth rate in 1998, while the overall market growth for physical verification grew at 12 percent.
  • Calibre captured 25.3 percent of the physical verification market in 1997.
  • The technology has been proven in pilot programs at Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) and Hitachi (NYSE: HIT).

Sources:

  • PRNewswire - Mentor Graphics Corporation (June 14)
  • Mentor Graphics Corporation - About Mentor Graphics
  • Dataquest - Calibre Physical Verification Market Report (1997)
  • Company figures - Mentor Graphics Corporation