edaForum06 - Preface

At the 65 nm node Moores Law has driven us to logic chips with 1 billion transistors operating at a clock frequency of 5 GHz. The design of these chips requires a kind of squaring of the circle: In order to guarantee time-to-market, function, yield and robustness, an extended use of higher abstraction levels and, at the same time, a more detailed analysis of electrical and physical behavior is necessary.

Do we have to change our design methodologies in order to solve this contradiction between system and silicon design? Can we or do we have to convey the laws of large numbers of transistors to the design and how does this affect the higher abstraction levels? What alternatives to CMOS do we have when Moores Law is no longer applicable?

Beyond these new technical challenges the economic progress demands new partnerships and strategic alliances. Are we able to draw a line between chip and system business or should we rather consider one being part of the other, so that system vendors directly design and manufacture their own chips? Will we see an increase in software as well as in hardware from the same manufacturer? Does the fabless model hold under the DfM regime? Do we also have to change the development process? What does that mean for the EDA industry? What is the reality of the EDA companies, the economics of large companies versus small, the financial and technical impact of the innovation/acquisition cycle within EDA?

If you are interested in finding answers to all of these questions, you should attend the edaForum, especially this year. After four successful events the concept of the edaForum has proven its value. Whereas most workshops are purely technical, edaForum addresses business-related problems as well, in order to constantly optimize the return on EDA investment.

Bring your special problem to the edaForum and meet with outstanding experts. Discuss with us the chances and possibilities of EDA. The edacentrum cordially invites you to the edaForum06, offering lots of opportunities in a relaxed atmosphere.

I hope to see you all in Berlin.