Executive Session - Bridging The Field Programmable Reconfigurable SoC (FPSoC) Divide

The quest for developing an integrated IC design platform for today’s SoC products is driven by the need for OEMs to make end product design changes almost on the fly, either to exploit new market opportunities or to fend off competitive pressure. Yet, there is no such thing as a small design change in the SoC world, where even a small tweak means a re-spin and new mask set; with the consequent inherent and unavoidable risks, costs and time delays. FPSoC is the ultimate answer but not at today’s unrealistically high cost and performance penalties. The panel, spanning all sides of the divide, will explore and debate the current solutions and opportunities, and indeed if the perceived digital utopia is a realistic goal or simply pie in the sky.

Dr Tohru Furuyama, General Manager, Center for Semiconductor RandD, Toshiba.