x86 and ARM architectures are currently the two most mainstream CPU architectures. The ARM architecture, with its greater openness, provides a foundation for more chip manufacturers to design servers with excellent performance-to-power consumption ratios. As shown in Figure 1, ARM CPUs have undergone more updates and iterations with advancements in technology, resulting in rapid performance improvements. Based on the autonomous innovation, security, and increasingly enhanced performance of ARM CPUs, they can be flexibly adopted in an increasing number of application scenarios, and their market share is gradually increasing.
Figure 1
In the direction of applying EDA software to ARM servers, X-Times Design Automation Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “X-Times”) focuses on digital implementation EDA and has developed the intelligent layout planning tool AmazeFP, which now supports ARMv8 servers. As shown in Figure 2, the multi-core advantage of ARM CPUs combined with the distributed computing technology of AmazeFP can fully demonstrate the efficiency improvement of the tool, saving more energy and costs for chip design companies using ARM architecture servers.
Figure 2
In practical cases, AmazeFP successfully completed the automated layout of macro cells on a design with 4.1M instances.
Figure 3
Actual operating data show that AmazeFP has maintained its good performance on the ARM architecture. Although the single-core performance of ARMv8 architecture still lags behind x86, according to the characteristics of the EDA software engine, in scenarios of distributed or multi-domain analysis, the software can leverage multi-core resources for greater possibilities with optimization. With updates to the architecture and improvements in performance, there will be more possibilities for the use of EDA on ARM servers.
About X-Times
X-Times Design Automation Co., Ltd. gathers outstanding EDA technical support and R&D elites from around the world, focusing on the independent research and development of a digital implementation EDA platform that meets the 3S concept (Smart, Speedy, Simple), including a new generation of layout and routing technology, while providing high-end digital chip design solutions that can significantly improve chip design efficiency and assist in achieving rapid mass production of chips. In the fields of artificial intelligence, smart cars, 5G, and cloud computing, X-Times supports the rapid development and industrial leap of many partners. Click the lower left corner “Read the original text” to visit the official website of X-Times at www.xtimes-da.com to learn more!