3 ms·
The design optimization software for modern semiconductors is arguably the most advanced design software on earth with likely tens if not hundreds of millions o
by jjk166 3y ago
The design optimization software for modern semiconductors is arguably the most advanced design software on earth with likely tens if not hundreds of millions of man-years put into it. It takes into account not only the complex physics that apply at the nano-scale but also the interplay of the various manufacturing steps and optimizes trillions of features. Every process change brings about new potential optimizations, so rather than compensating for bigger nodes it actually widens the gap further. By analogy, the jump from hatchet to scalpel in the hands a layman is far less than the jump from hatchet to scalpel for a skilled surgeon.
- kjkjadksj 3y agoWhat about the effect of heat? More transistors per area equate a hotter chip, no?
- robocat 3y agoMore transistors switching I thought? It isn't about raw transistors e.g. memory isn't as power hungry as GPU?
- smj-edison 3y agoHeh, as long as you're not talking about UX...
- polishdude20 3y agoHow is this kind of software developed without becoming a massive pile of spaghetti code?
- pjc50 3y agoAs someone who worked for a startup that was bought by Cadence: I have some bad news for you about that.
- fennecbutt 3y agoYeah, I don't think we really have any equivalent technology that is advanced or as detailed as chip making. Chip making is kind of the parent of pretty much every other technology we have at this point.