CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
18 July 2007
Implementation Investments
Toumaz Technology Achieves First Silicon Success With Cadence Virtuoso Multi-Mode Simulation
Cadence Design Systems, Inc . announced that Toumaz Technology Limited has successfully used the Cadence® Virtuoso® AMS Designer Simulator, a component of Virtuoso Multi-Mode Simulation, for mixed-signal simulation in the verification of its latest device. Toumaz, a developer of advanced RF, analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, designs and manufactures Sensium, an ultra low power sensor interface and transceiver platform for a wide range of healthcare and lifestyle management applications.
The Virtuoso AMS Designer was used by Toumaz for its top-level mixed-signal simulations, which enabled Toumaz to detect design errors prior to tapeout, leading to first silicon success, saving time and enabling the company to finalize its design within 18 months. Toumaz benefited from the flexible Virtuoso Multi-Mode Simulation token licensing model integrated in the Cadence Virtuoso custom design platform. This model offers users a choice among best-in-class Virtuoso Multi-Mode Simulation technologies: Virtuoso Spectre® Circuit Simulator, Virtuoso Spectre RF Simulation Option, Virtuoso UltraSim Full-Chip Simulator and Virtuoso AMS Designer.
During the design stage, verification of analog, digital and mixed-signal interfaces is still the cause of high failure rates in modern designs. Toumaz has implemented a comprehensive mixed-signal-verification strategy using Cadence AMS Designer technology that has enabled them to increase verification coverage and to fully verify the mixed-signal interfaces of their design.
"With the Sensium, Toumaz is delivering breakthrough technology and a fundamentally new platform for healthcare and lifestyle markets; the ability to achieve first silicon success, and to free our focus for the next stage of growth, was absolutely key for us," said Keith Errey, co-founder and chief operating officer, Toumaz Technology. "With Cadence Virtuoso AMS Designer, we were able to achieve a high-quality design and also create a reproducible methodology that will optimize our resources for future product development."
Combined with appropriate external sensors, the Sensium sensor interface and transceiver platform enables ultra low power monitoring of multiple vital signs, including ECG, temperature, blood glucose and oxygen levels, via standard PDAs, smartphones and USB-enabled computers. Devices which can be attached to the body using a sticking plaster include a reconfigurable sensor interface, digital block with 8051 processor and an RF transceiver block.
"Getting new products to market quickly is critical to the success of any company," said Charlie Giorgetti, corporate vice president, product marketing at Cadence. "Designing complex systems require sophisticated tools to aid simulation, to help debug and accelerate the tapeout process. Virtuoso AMS Designer is an essential tool to help fast-growing companies such as Toumaz get to market sooner and increase their return on investment."
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