EDA Solutions’ Managed EDA Service transforms management of customers ASIC Design infrastructure

Client Overview 

Our client, a Central European SME specializing in ground breaking sensor design, faced significant challenges in managing their Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. With a team of 10 engineers, the company struggled to maintain an optimised design environment, which impacted their productivity and time-to-market. They needed a solution that would allow them to focus on their core design activities without the burden of managing EDA tools and infrastructure. 

Challenges 

1. Resource Constraints: The client lacked the resources to maintain a specialized EDA or CAD team, which is typically required to manage complex design environments. 
2. Operational Inefficiencies: IC engineers were spending valuable time on software tool management, PDK installation, and maintenance, diverting their focus from core design tasks. 
3. Remote Operations: The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a robust remote working solution that could support their design activities without compromising efficiency.

Solution: Managed EDA 

EDA Solutions introduced their Managed EDA service to address these challenges. Managed EDA is a comprehensive service that provides a fully managed design environment, allowing the client’s engineers to concentrate on designing ASICs. 

Implementation Process 

The implementation of Managed EDA followed a structured four-stage process: 

1. Discovery: EDA Solutions conducted an initial discovery conversation with the client to understand their design challenges, specific environment, and resource constraints. This stage involved a thorough exploration of the client’s workflow requirements and current EDA tool usage. 
2. Assessment: Within two days of the discovery conversation, EDA Solutions provided a succinct assessment document that outlined the client’s requirements. This document ensured that all needs were fully articulated and stable, facilitating a smoother deployment process. 
3. Planning: Based on the assessment, a tailored requirements plan, functional specification, and deployment plan were created and agreed upon with the client. This stage ensured that all implementation requirements were clearly defined. 
4. Implementation, quality assurance and rollout: The final stage involved configuring the tools and environment, followed by rigorous testing and validation for full Quality Assurance. Once the setup was confirmed to be working seamlessly, the solution was deployed to the client’s engineering team. 

Key Features of Managed EDA 

• Setup and Configuration: Initial setup and configuration of EDA software, ensuring seamless integration with the client’s existing workflow. 
• Maintenance and Updates: Ongoing maintenance and software updates to keep the design environment optimised and up-to-date. 

• PDK Installation: Installation and management of Process Design Kits (PDKs) to support various design processes. 
• Technical Support: Access to expert technical support via EDA Solutions’ SupportHub, providing timely assistance and troubleshooting.
• Custom Automation: Inclusion of custom automation within the client’s defined design flow, leveraging programming languages such as C++, TCL, and Python. 

Results 

The implementation of Managed EDA resulted in significant improvements for the client:

1. Increased Productivity
   Engineers were able to focus on core design activities, leading to a noticeable increase in productivity.  
2. Reduced Operational Costs
   By offloading the management of EDA tools to EDA Solutions, the client reduced their operational costs and optimised resource allocation. 
3. Enhanced Remote Operations
   The remote service provision of Managed EDA ensured continuous support and flexibility, allowing the client to adapt to remote working conditions effectively. 

Client Feedback 

The client was particularly impressed with the level of optimisation achieved in their design environment. The close collaboration and teamwork between EDA Solutions and the client’s IT specialists ensured a smooth integration with existing systems. Regular reviews and continuous support further enhanced the client’s satisfaction with the service. 

Conclusion 

EDA Solutions’ Managed EDA service provided a  transformative solution for the client, addressing their resource constraints and operational inefficiencies. By offering a fully managed and optimised design environment, EDA Solutions enabled the client to focus on innovation and accelerate their time-to-market. This case study highlights the significant impact that Managed EDA can have on SMEs and start-ups in the ASIC design industry, providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.