Cadence Selected for DARPA ERI Machine Learning Contract

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Cadence Design Systems, Inc. was selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to support the Intelligent Design of Electronic Assets (IDEA) program, one of six new programs within DARPA’s Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) to use advanced machine learning techniques to develop a unified platform for a fully integrated, intelligent design flow for systems on chip (SoCs), systems in package (SiPs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The ERI investments are the next steps in creating a more automated electronics design capability that will benefit the aerospace/defense ecosystem and the electronic industry’s commercial needs.

To fulfill the program charter over the four-year term of the contract, Cadence created the Machine learning-driven Automatic Generation of Electronic Systems Through Intelligent Collaboration (MAGESTIC) research and development program. This program will create a foundation for system design enablement by introducing greater autonomy within the design process and developing truly design-intent-driven products. The Cadence-led team includes Carnegie Mellon University and NVIDIA, two of the most renowned machine learning leaders in the world.

“We’ve been leading the industry in the development, deployment and support of electronic design flows that use machine learning, analytics and optimization technologies. This program will accelerate our roadmap toward realizing intelligent design flows for the next big leap in design productivity,” stated Dr. Anirudh Devgan, president of Cadence. “This program will set the stage for enhancing the entire span of our analog, digital, verification, package and PCB EDA technologies, providing our customers with the most advanced system design enablement solutions.”

The DARPA ERI programs address impending engineering and economics challenges that, if left unanswered, could challenge what has been a relentless half-century run of progress in microelectronics technology. It is now clear that the design work and fabrication required to keep pace in microelectronics is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. The MAGESTIC program aims to address:

• Advancing the state of the art in machine learning to develop algorithms that optimize performance
• Extending support for advanced CMOS process nodes including 7nm and below, as well as larger process nodes
• Automating the routing and tuning of devices to improve reliability, circuit performance, and resilience
• Demonstrating improved power, performance and area (PPA) utilizing machine learning, analytics, and optimization
• Staging the introductions of the technology, allowing the system to learn from the users and allowing users to gain an understanding of how to best leverage the tools to achieve desired results.

The program also will extend Cadence’s work in employing cloud-based design systems to handle large-scale distributed processing to speed design efforts.

About Cadence

Cadence enables electronic systems and semiconductor companies to create the innovative end products that are transforming the way people live, work and play. Cadence® software, hardware and semiconductor IP are used by customers to deliver products to market faster. The company’s System Design Enablement strategy helps customers develop differentiated products—from chips to boards to systems—in mobile, consumer, cloud datacenter, automotive, aerospace, IoT, industrial and other market segments. Cadence is listed as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn more at www.cadence.com.