End To End Flows Are To Reshape IC Design

Summary:

In this article, the author talked about a new type of software that facilitates electronic design process. He mentioned four possible challenges which require optimum solutions, and he stated that this new software tool is the best solution. This tool is manufactured by Cadence Design Systems which has declared lately that it produced an end to end digital flow that can cope with many challenges. The author said that this new tool is more advanced than traditional tools because it presents a perfect solution and because of a new essential principle called "Silicon Realization". The author said that Silicon Realization requires three things: "unified representation of design and verification intent", "the appropriate use of different levels of abstraction " and "convergence with physical and manufacturing data". Also, he mentioned that Cadence has developed sophisticated technology to enhance those requirements. He said that there is a new engine which combines two timely-separated processes in one process, and this action will reduce the cost and time of the design process. In addition, the author said that Cadence has improved a new tool called "constraint driven mixed signal design flow" which leverages digital system requirements and analogue environments. The author mentioned that Cadence provides up an extremely important technique called low power design, and Cadence provide an easy way to make architects promote efficient designs. At last, the author said that there is a new type of ic design method called 3D ic design methodology which can run with a very high speed system.

Reaction:

The author was very careful when he gave details about the new modern technique, and he presented the product in a pretty good way. Also, he mentioned several examples to support his point of view, for the specific details and the wide range of products he mentioned. On the other hand, the author exaggerated in describing the products; his opinion was like a commercial advertisement. I think that such magnified description maybe seem not very true to many people, and it may cause bad results. In my opinion, this article is not too bad, but it will be better to improve it by reducing the advertisement amount included in its context.

Tan,W.L. (2011, February 03). End to end flows are to reshape ic design. www.newelectronics.co.uk. Retrieved on April 21, 2011. From http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-technology/end-to-end-flows-are-set-to-reshape-ic-design/31172/

RRJ#2 Baraa

Multiliteracies and Communications Media. (nd).Retrieved on March 31,2011. From http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/html/curric-org/com.html

Summary:

In this article, the author mentioned the new basics category, multiliteracies and communication media, that uses modern means for communicating since World War ‖, including the sophisticated electronic media such as TV., radio and other audiovisual media. He said that the old technologies are still needed beside the new technologies because these old technologies are necessary to the new basics; nevertheless, the new communication media reform the way of using old communication media. Therefore, for optimum use for communication media we have to figure out symbolic codes. The author suggested "blending traditional and new communication media" in order to solve our current problems. Also he said that creating wide range of media is essential for modern society. He focused on the importance of communicating using intercultural understandings. And finally he mentioned that it is very important for us to master literacy, numeracy, and traditional skills and techniques.

Reaction:

In my opinion, I think that this article is outstanding because that the author explained every thing in detail and gave good examples and modern methods which help people to communicate with the world. He discussed issues that maybe not clear to everyone especially blending traditional and new communication media in order to optimize the communications media. Also he was fantastic when he explained in detail how sometimes misunderstandings arise from misinterpretation of speaker’s intention, because using another language perhaps causes some problems when the speaker used a word or expression in a wrong place or in a wrong time. He also mentioned that the ability to work in the intermediate area between cultures is very easy to do in low level learner of another language, but it is mandatory for the world at the same time. He said that "the design and performance of multi-media texts-" that merges the new and the traditional, is needful to enable people  to engage effectively in the developing process in the world, so I think this is an impressive idea because we need to share with all people, regardless their place or language. In my opinion, "communicating using languages" is very useful to us, because it simply enables us to communicate with other people from various cultures, this will make people (well) informed about the world.

 

Pitcher,G(2011, March 22 ). Prototyping System Design on FPGA. Retrieved on March 25, 2011. From http://www.newelonics.co.uk/article/32395/Prototyping-system-design-on-fpga.aspx.

Summary:

In this article, the author tried first to show the importance of software in order to link this importance with a sophisticated integrated circuit called FPGA. He said that FPGA is used in prototyping system design. He focused on a new modern type of FPGA called FPGA Based Prototyping Methodology Manual (FPMM). He said that FPMM will help system designer to prototype any complex system in short time, low cost, and precisely. He mentioned the companies that contributed in manufacturing and developing FPMM. He mentioned why prototyping system design on FPMM is better than prototyping system design by other ways. And he gave details and examples about some systems and circuits to support his main idea.

Reaction:

I think that the author succeeded in showing the important role that software plays nowadays. Also he went deeply in the details of FPMM, so he made the article more suitable for professionals. He was very careful in the examples and the details he mentioned, and this made the article very valuable to people who interested in this field. The author also was successful when he mentioned the benefits of using FPMM. He was very right when he implied that FPMM would be the most effective tool in prototyping system design in the near future. Also I think that the author depended a lot on designers’' sayings, so the article may look like an article written by the designers for marketing their products. In my opinion, I think that the author exaggerated in the depiction of FPMM as the only best way for prototyping system design. In a nutshell, I think that it is a good article to ordinary reader and it is very good for professional.