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STARC, Calypto and Virage Logic Break New Ground with Industry’s Lowest Power Design Flow

SANTA CLARA, Calif. –– August 24, 2010 –– Calypto® Design Systems Inc. (www.calypto.com), the leader in sequential analysis technology, today announced its collaboration with Virage Logic Corporation (NASDAQ: VIRL), and the Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center (STARC) to dramatically reduce on-chip SoC power.  Extending its ongoing, independent efforts with STARC and Virage Logic, the multi-technology collaboration resulted in the development of a seamless flow for designs with various functional modes that control multiple on-chip power domains to achieve dramatic power savings.  Initial results show up to 50 percent dynamic power reduction and up to 40 percent leakage power reduction in embedded SoC memories using Calypto’s PowerPro MG tool and Virage Logic’s SiWare™ Memory compilers.  

 “Design teams are confronted with constant pressure to reduce SoC power.  Without an automated flow to reduce memory power, designers are forced to engage in time-consuming analysis and error-prone manual modifications to the design,” said Nobuyuki Nishiguchi, Vice President, General Manager, Development Department-1 at STARC.  “Incorporating Calypto’s PowerPro MG and Virage Logic’s SiWare Memory IP into our low-power flow will enable designers to meet their design power goals in order to focus resources on bringing new levels of innovation to their products.”

About Collaboration

Using Calypto’s patented sequential analysis technology, PowerPro MG (for Memory Gating) constructs new memory gating logic that works in conjunction with the low-power memory modes in Virage Logic’s SiWare Memory compilers to produce the lowest power memory implementation possible. The SiWare Memory compilers provide several different low power modes – light sleep, deep sleep and shut down to allow designers to reduce leakage power when the memory is not being accessed.  The compilers automatically generate PowerPro MG models enabling STARC to easily integrate PowerPro MG into their low power design flow.

“STARC continues to contribute valuable, innovative design flows to the semiconductor industry,” said Lisa Minwell, director of technical marketing for  Virage Logic.  “As the semiconductor industry’s trusted IP partner and leading provider of embedded memories, we are pleased to collaborate with Calypto and STARC to enable mutual customers to deliver the most advanced, power-efficient designs possible.”

“Reducing power in all of the key components of an SoC is critical to meeting today’s competitive design goals,” said Tom Sandoval, chief executive officer of Calypto.  “Collaboration, such as this one between Calypto, Virage Logic, and STARC, is the most efficient way to make dramatic methodology improvements that enable our customers to deliver the most advanced, power-efficient designs ahead of their competition.”

About Virage Logic

Virage Logic is a leading provider of both functional and physical semiconductor intellectual property (IP) for the design of complex integrated circuits. The company’s highly differentiated product portfolio includes processor centric solutions, interface IP solutions, analog solutions, SoC infrastructure IP solutions, embedded SRAMs and NVMs, embedded memory test and repair, logic libraries, and memory development software. As the industry’s trusted semiconductor IP partner, more than 400 foundry, IDM and fabless customers rely on Virage Logic to achieve higher performance, lower power, higher density and optimal yield, as well as shorten time-to-market and time-to-volume. For further information, visit www.viragelogic.com.

About Calypto

Founded in 2002, Calypto® Design Systems, Inc. empowers designers to create high-quality, low-power electronic systems by providing best-in-class power optimization and functional verification software, based on its patented sequential analysis technology.  Calypto, whose customers include Fortune 500 companies worldwideis a member of the Cadence Connections program, the IEEE-SA, Synopsys SystemVerilog Catalyst Program, the Mentor Graphics OpenDoor program, Si2 and is an active participant in the Power Forward Initiative.  Calypto has offices in Europe, India, Japan and North America.  Corporate headquarters is located at:  2933 Bunker Hill Lane, Suite 202, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054.  Telephone: (408) 850-2300.  More information can be found at:  www.calypto.com.

 

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7-Channel I2C-Controlled PMIC for High Power 1-Cell Li-Ion Systems

MILPITAS, CA – August 25, 2010 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3675, a highly integrated general-purpose power management solution for high power single cell Lithium-Ion/Polymer cell systems. The device features seven independent rails, with I2C control, flexible sequencing and fault monitoring in a compact 28mm2 QFN package. The LTC3675 contains four high efficiency synchronous step-down regulators, a high current/high efficiency buck-boost regulator, a synchronous boost regulator, a dual-string 40V-LED driver and an always-on LDO. Pushbutton ON/OFF/RESET control, precision enable inputs and a power-on reset output provide flexible and reliable power-up sequencing. The LTC3675’s I2C interface provides complete regulator control, status reporting and a maskable interrupt output. Quiescent current is only 16uA with all DC/DCs off to maximize battery run time.

The LTC3675’s four constant frequency current-mode buck switching regulators are internally compensated, providing up to 1A, 1A, 500mA and 500mA output currents, respectively, with complete I2C control. Further, the buck power stages can be paralleled to deliver up to twice the output current with a single inductor. The buck regulators can operate in two different modes. In pulse-skipping mode, the regulator will skip pulses at light loads, but will operate at a constant frequency of 2.25MHz at higher loads. In Burst Mode® operation, the regulator will burst at light loads for best efficiency, and at higher loads will operate in constant frequency PWM mode for lowest noise performance. I2C may be used to control the device, enabling mode of operation, feedback regulation voltage and switch slew rate. The bucks have forward and reverse current limiting, soft-start to limit inrush current during start-up, short-circuit protection and slew rate control for lower radiated EMI.

The LTC3675’s buck-boost regulator is a 2.25MHz voltage mode regulator designed to deliver up to 1A load current for a typical programmed output voltage of 3.3V. The regulator can be enabled via its enable pin or via I2C. The mode of operation (Burst Mode or PWM), feedback regulation voltage and switch slew rate can all be controlled via I2C. The buck-boost regulator also features forward current limiting, soft-start to limit inrush current during start-up, short-circuit protection and slew rate control for lower radiated EMI.

The LTC3675’s boost regulator is designed to deliver up to 1A load current for a programmed output voltage of up to 5V. Boost DC/DC enable, mode of operation (Burst Mode or PWM), feedback regulation voltage and switch slew rate can all be controlled via I2C. The boost regulator has forward and reverse current limiting, soft start to limit inrush current during start-up, short-circuit protection, slew rate control for lower radiated EMI and true output disconnect when in shutdown.

The LTC3675’s constant frequency, current mode 40V LED driver can regulate up to 25mA of current through each of two series 10-LED strings. LED enable, 60dB brightness control and up/down gradation are programmed using I2C. The LED driver can be configured as a general purpose high voltage boost converter with a 1.6A (typ) switch current limit. Given its high duty cycle operation, it can boost from below 3V to up to 40V output at 55mA.

The LTC3675 is available from stock in a thermally enhanced, low profile (0.75mm) 44-pin 4mm x 7mm QFN package. 1000-piece pricing starts at $5.05 each for the E grade, with an operating junction temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. For more information, visit www.linear.com/3675.

Summary of Features: LTC3675

  • Four Monolithic Synchronous Buck DC/DCs (1A/1A/500mA/500mA)
  • Buck DC/DCs can be Paralleled to Deliver up to 2X Current with a Single Inductor
  • Independent 1A Buck-Boost and 1A Boost DC/DCs
  • Dual String I2C-Controlled LED Driver
  • Always-On 25mA LDO
  • I2C Programmable Output Voltage, Operating Mode & Switch Node Slew Rate for All DC/DCs
  • I2C Read Back of DC/DC, LED Driver, Fault Status
  • I2C Programmable VIN & Die Temperature Warnings
  • Maskable Interrupts to Report DC/DC, VIN & Die Temperature Faults
  • Pushbutton ON/OFF/RESET
  • Low Quiescent Current: 16uA (all DC/DCs Off)
  • Thermally Enhanced, 4mm x 7mm x 0.75mm 44-Lead QFN Package

About Linear Technology

Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule® products, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.

Leave a Reply

7-Channel I2C-Controlled PMIC for High Power 1-Cell Li-Ion Systems

MILPITAS, CA – August 25, 2010 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3675, a highly integrated general-purpose power management solution for high power single cell Lithium-Ion/Polymer cell systems. The device features seven independent rails, with I2C control, flexible sequencing and fault monitoring in a compact 28mm2 QFN package. The LTC3675 contains four high efficiency synchronous step-down regulators, a high current/high efficiency buck-boost regulator, a synchronous boost regulator, a dual-string 40V-LED driver and an always-on LDO. Pushbutton ON/OFF/RESET control, precision enable inputs and a power-on reset output provide flexible and reliable power-up sequencing. The LTC3675’s I2C interface provides complete regulator control, status reporting and a maskable interrupt output. Quiescent current is only 16uA with all DC/DCs off to maximize battery run time.

The LTC3675’s four constant frequency current-mode buck switching regulators are internally compensated, providing up to 1A, 1A, 500mA and 500mA output currents, respectively, with complete I2C control. Further, the buck power stages can be paralleled to deliver up to twice the output current with a single inductor. The buck regulators can operate in two different modes. In pulse-skipping mode, the regulator will skip pulses at light loads, but will operate at a constant frequency of 2.25MHz at higher loads. In Burst Mode® operation, the regulator will burst at light loads for best efficiency, and at higher loads will operate in constant frequency PWM mode for lowest noise performance. I2C may be used to control the device, enabling mode of operation, feedback regulation voltage and switch slew rate. The bucks have forward and reverse current limiting, soft-start to limit inrush current during start-up, short-circuit protection and slew rate control for lower radiated EMI.

The LTC3675’s buck-boost regulator is a 2.25MHz voltage mode regulator designed to deliver up to 1A load current for a typical programmed output voltage of 3.3V. The regulator can be enabled via its enable pin or via I2C. The mode of operation (Burst Mode or PWM), feedback regulation voltage and switch slew rate can all be controlled via I2C. The buck-boost regulator also features forward current limiting, soft-start to limit inrush current during start-up, short-circuit protection and slew rate control for lower radiated EMI.

The LTC3675’s boost regulator is designed to deliver up to 1A load current for a programmed output voltage of up to 5V. Boost DC/DC enable, mode of operation (Burst Mode or PWM), feedback regulation voltage and switch slew rate can all be controlled via I2C. The boost regulator has forward and reverse current limiting, soft start to limit inrush current during start-up, short-circuit protection, slew rate control for lower radiated EMI and true output disconnect when in shutdown.

The LTC3675’s constant frequency, current mode 40V LED driver can regulate up to 25mA of current through each of two series 10-LED strings. LED enable, 60dB brightness control and up/down gradation are programmed using I2C. The LED driver can be configured as a general purpose high voltage boost converter with a 1.6A (typ) switch current limit. Given its high duty cycle operation, it can boost from below 3V to up to 40V output at 55mA.

The LTC3675 is available from stock in a thermally enhanced, low profile (0.75mm) 44-pin 4mm x 7mm QFN package. 1000-piece pricing starts at $5.05 each for the E grade, with an operating junction temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. For more information, visit www.linear.com/3675.

Summary of Features: LTC3675

  • Four Monolithic Synchronous Buck DC/DCs (1A/1A/500mA/500mA)
  • Buck DC/DCs can be Paralleled to Deliver up to 2X Current with a Single Inductor
  • Independent 1A Buck-Boost and 1A Boost DC/DCs
  • Dual String I2C-Controlled LED Driver
  • Always-On 25mA LDO
  • I2C Programmable Output Voltage, Operating Mode & Switch Node Slew Rate for All DC/DCs
  • I2C Read Back of DC/DC, LED Driver, Fault Status
  • I2C Programmable VIN & Die Temperature Warnings
  • Maskable Interrupts to Report DC/DC, VIN & Die Temperature Faults
  • Pushbutton ON/OFF/RESET
  • Low Quiescent Current: 16uA (all DC/DCs Off)
  • Thermally Enhanced, 4mm x 7mm x 0.75mm 44-Lead QFN Package

About Linear Technology

Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule® products, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.

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