Cool Verification

WWED Pavilion Panel: The Road to Success

2013-06-03T00:50:51-05:00

Every year at DAC, I'm amazed at how many engineers miss out on events attended by some of the most influential names in EDA. One example already this year was the Phil Kauffman award presentation earlier this evening, attended by Aart De Geus, Wally Rhines, Lip-Bu Tan, and Kathryn Kranen among others. Another example each year is the pavilion panel put on by the Women in Electronic Design Automation. This year's panel topic is "The Road to Success!". Here's the synopsis:

Don’t go it alone! How many times have you heard it? A lively panel of luminaries discuss how alliances are critical to our success, and cover networking and negotiating skills for achieving personal satisfaction and professional visibility. Also hear various perspectives on the importance of nonsense, and how to consciously incorporate humor and joy into your work life. An informative and inspiring event for both women and men, in electronics and EDA, at any stage in your career.

Moderator: Sashi Obilisetty - Synopsys, Inc., Mountain View, CA

Panelists: Soha Hassoun - Tufts Univ., Medford, MA

Jan Willis - Calibra Consulting, London, United Kingdom

Kavita Snyder - Blue Pearl Software, Inc., Santa Clara, CA

The panel will be held Monday, June 3 from 1:30 to 2:30pm at the Pavilion (booth 509). Stick around after the panel to hear an interview with Nanette Collins, the 2013 Marie R. Pistilli Women in EDA Award recipient.

What's holding back ESL?

2013-06-03T00:36:22-05:00

Earlier this evening, Gary Smith held his annual night-before-DAC talks at the Austin Convention Center . During his presentation, Gary laid out his vision of the EDA industry over the next 10-15 years. There were many interesting points in the presentation (see Richard Goering's writeup for more details). One comment in particular stood out:

"Not as many RTL guys are moving up into ESL. They're really not capable of grasping the software end of it. So what we're getting is a lot of brand new engineers, young guys... They're young guys, they can do the software, they can do the hardware..."

My question to Gary during the session was to ask whether or not he was suggesting that ESL was being held back by senior design engineers, and that the migration to ESL might simply have to wait until a new crop of engineers with a background that included both hardware and software might be required to fully make the move to the newer design style.

Gary pointed out that when synthesis started making inroads into digital design, only 40% of blocks were being synthesized, and that number increased over time as newly designed blocks replaced blocks that were being reused. He feels the same trend is likely to occur here.

What do you think? Is ESL simply going to have to wait until there start to be a critical mass of IP blocks written in that style before it really takes off? Or is the issue simply one of training, where a differently-trained group of engineers will eventually be required to really get the ball rolling?

What, if anything, is holding back the adoption of ESL?

Questions about Formal Verification? Stop by the Oski Booth

2013-06-02T23:53:09-05:00

Last year, the folks at Oski effectively locked one of their engineers in a room for the duration of DAC to see if they could formally verify a design module they had not previously seen. This year, they're focusing less on the drama and more on providing DAC visitors tip and tricks on how to use formal verification techniques on your next project by presenting episodes of their new video series "Decoding Formal" throughout the day.

Stop by and visit Oski at booth #718. Each hour, starting at 9:30am, they will show a new video from the series. Come back at 5:15pm on Monday, June 3 and again on Tuesday, June 4 to compete for prizes in the live "Decoding Formal" trivia challenge.

You can also play the challenge online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DecodingFormal

Good luck!

Free tickets to DAC HOT Zone

2013-05-31T01:13:20-05:00

Yesterday I posted some info about the "HOT Zone" within the DAC party in Austin on Monday evening of next week. As it turns out, I may have a few tickets available (normally would take a $50 donation per ticket). If you're interested in a ticket to the event, send me a note ASAP at jl dot gray at verilab dot com.

Party with us at the HOT Zone at DAC and support a good cause!

2013-05-30T01:18:50-05:00

As you probably know by now the Design Automation Conference is celebrating its 50th year in Austin, Texas June 2-6. Verilab is excited to be working with Jim Hogan and The Heart of Technology to sponsor the HOT Zone within the DAC party on Monday evening, June 3. See below for more info. If you're in Austin next week, I hope to see you there!

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Dear friends and colleagues,

The Design Automation Conference is celebrating its 50th year in Austin, Texas. On Monday night, June 3, there is a “Kickin it up in Austin!” 50^thAnniversary Celebration at Austin City Limits Live for all DAC attendees.

We are proud to be a sponsor of the Heart of Technology’s HOT Zone within the “Kickin it up in Austin!” party. The Heart of Technology (HOT) supports non-profits where all funds raised go directly back into the communities they visit. This year, HOT is helping CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County, Texas. CASA speaks up for children who’ve been abused or neglected by empowering the community to volunteer as advocates for them in the court system.

Donate to CASA and be our guest at the HOT Zone at Austin City Limits Live

Please join HOT’s sponsors and distinguished guests by donating $50.00 or more to CASA: http://www.razoo.com/story/Heart-Of-Technology-Supports-Casa-Of-Travis-County

Your donation is tax deductible. Contributions go directly to CASA to keep children connected to their siblings, teach skills for life, and provide CASA volunteers.

Then, join us in the HOT Zone at DAC’s “Kickin’ it up in Austin!” 50^th Anniversary Celebration on June 3 at Austin City Limits Live, for great food, fun, and atmosphere – all while helping CASA of Travis County.

On June 3 from 7:30pm-12:00am, present your donation receipt at the CASA kiosk outside Austin City Limits Live. You will receive a wristband to enter the HOT Zone.

What’s Sizzling in the HOT Zone

The HOT Zone is located in the penthouse Jack and Jim Gallery at Austin City Limits Live and features 30 original photographs from the godfather of music photography, Jim Marshall.

Here’s what’s happening:

Private performance by “The Red Headed Stranger”

Premium drinks including Jack Daniels for which the gallery is named

Unique food including Texas Treats on a stick and breakfast buffet on a stick

Photo booth, Airbrush tattoo artist

Entry into a drawing for a Stratocaster guitar signed by Asleep at the Wheel

Private balcony seating for main stage performances

Featured entertainment at the DAC party includes Grammy Award winning artists Asleep at the Wheel, Vista Roads Band, and Texas Terraplanes

The first 100 people to make a donation of $100 or more will receive a special event giveaway!

Find out more at www.heartoftechnology.org.

Thanks in advance for your donation. We can't wait to party with you at The Hottest Zone at the 50th Anniversary Celebration!

HOT Zone sponsors:

Atrenta, Ausdia, ChipEstimate.TV, CLK Design Automation, Cronox Group, Display Studios, EDA Consortium, IC Manage, Invarian, MOD Marketing, Nimbic, ProPlus Design Solutions, Si2, Solido, Sonics, Tela Innovations, Uniquify, Verilab, The Waves Studio

Moderator:	Sashi Obilisetty - Synopsys, Inc., Mountain View, CA
Panelists:	Soha Hassoun - Tufts Univ., Medford, MA
	Jan Willis - Calibra Consulting, London, United Kingdom
	Kavita Snyder - Blue Pearl Software, Inc., Santa Clara, CA