CAD tool integration for ASIC design: an end-users perspective

The increasing complexity of VLSI design and the demand for quick-turnaround ASICs has forced the designer to choose the best CAD tools available from different vendors and integrate them into a customized and comprehensive CAD system. Vendors have developed comprehensive but open systems, called CAD frameworks, to ease the process of CAD tool integration. This paper describes the ASIC development process and issues relating to CAD tool integration. In addition, state-of-the-art CAD frameworks and their impact on ASIC designers are described.<
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