Analog/Mixed Signal: Driving Solutions to Leverage Expertise Throughout Europe

A fundamental problem in the analog/mixed-signal world is that semiconductor customers are looking to a key point of responsibility for the ecosystem, and no one in the foundry, IP or EDA industry currently bears this responsibility to shore up the linkages in the supply chain. This makes cooperative solutions difficult. GSA is undertaking an effort to further develop a global platform upon which the players in this ecosystem can be easily recognized and accessed for their expertise. Areas under focus include a lack of models, managing power budgets, over customization (harder to have proven IP blocks), selecting the right process technology, lack of planning through the entire process including consideration of packaging very early in the process. This panel focuses on the major challenges in the overall infrastructure and support for analog/mixed-signal designs. This panel session explores: questions to ask when choosing the right process for analog, mixed signal and RF; the need for more high-quality A/MS third-party IP options; the need for more analog design automation tools; and how semiconductor companies can avoid unnecessary risk.