Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has joined the Interoperable PDK Libraries (IPL) Alliance as the first foundry member.

The IPL Alliance was established by Applied Wave Research (AWR), Ciranova, Silicon Canvas, Silicon Navigator, and Synopsys in April 2007 to collaborate on the creation and promotion of interoperable process design kit (PDK) standards.

As the alliance describes, a PDK is a set of foundry-verified data files including PCells (parameterized cells) used in a complete analog and mixed-signal design flow.

The standardization of PDKs and design flows benefit analog and custom IC designers by removing bottlenecks in multiple-vendor flows, the alliance said, adding that each foundry is currently creating specialized PDKs for different EDA vendors and tools.

"TSMC is committed to an interoperable PDK format that maintains design accuracy throughout the custom design cycle," said S.T. Juang, senior director of design infrastructure marketing at TSMC, in a statement today. "An interoperable standard promotes reuse and reduces PDK development cost. It also promotes open innovation, enables customisation and improves productivity and efficiency. As an IPL Alliance member, we look forward to participating in the advancement of PDK standards."

Since its start, the alliance has released a proof-of-concept interoperable PCell library, demonstrated interoperability among tools from multiple vendors, and expanded its member ship to include the likes of Magma, Mentor Graphics, and Virage Logic.

"Developing effective PDK interoperability standards requires the collaboration of both EDA tools suppliers and PDK suppliers," said Rich Goldman, VP of corporate marketing and strategic market development at Synopsys, in the statement.

"The addition of TSMC, one of the industry's largest suppliers of high quality PDKs, to the IPL Alliance will help accelerate the development and implementation of standards."

The IPL Alliance is slated to present its latest update at the 45th Design Automation Conference (DAC) in Anaheim, Calif, from June 8 to June 13. An IPL lunch workshop is scheduled for Monday, June 9, from noon to 1:30pm.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News - Electronic News