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Streamlining ASIC Verification with Altium Designer: A Case Study on STMicroelectronics
Technology Category
- Processors & Edge Intelligence - Microcontrollers & Printed Circuit Boards
- Processors & Edge Intelligence - System on a Chip
Applicable Industries
- Education
- Electronics
Applicable Functions
- Maintenance
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Manufacturing Process Simulation
- Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor manufacturer, designs ASICs that function as the brains inside the latest generations of hard-disk drives. A critical step in the ASIC production is testing and verification using a custom development board. Each ASIC needs its own development board, designed and manufactured in parallel with the chip. These boards connect the prototypes to the motherboard and the hard drive assembly so engineers can put the ASIC through its paces. Any delay in the production of the boards threatens the rollout of the chip, as well as the company's bottom line. Last year, STMicroelectronics produced 11 of these ASICs, each requiring its own custom development board for evaluation. Just two engineers were responsible for these boards, producing a new one nearly every month. The engineers had to manage parts library maintenance, schematic capture, simulation, system design, PCB layout, and generating manufacturing files. The hard drive assemblies are notoriously difficult for their odd mechanical clearance rules, adding an extra layer of complexity to the process.
About The Customer
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in the semiconductor industry, serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. The company focuses on multimedia convergence and power applications, leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise, and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships, and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Within the data storage segment, the company designs ASICs that function as the brains inside the latest generations of hard-disk drives.
The Solution
To keep up with the pace of work, STMicroelectronics needed to find a design system that could improve the design process and minimize the amount of rework from project to project. They chose Altium Designer, a unified design system that manages everything from libraries, design and simulation, to PCB layout and generating the Bill of Materials and manufacturing drawings. The system’s integrated device library was a key factor in reducing unnecessary efforts. All the information is stored behind one object, making it easier to manage and boosting productivity. The unified functionality of the system encourages rapid product development and prototyping. Altium Designer also helps to make sure the first design is error-free through automatic design rule checking. The system automates checking for 3D mechanical tolerances as the PCB layout is created. To make this work, the engineers updated their parts library with actual part clearances and entered the hard drive assembly mechanical design into the system.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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