An economic analysis for optimal distributed computing resources for mask synthesis and tape-out in production environment

Chris Cork; Robert Lugg; Manoj Chacko; Shimon Levi

doi:10.1117/12.617132

28 June 2005 An economic analysis for optimal distributed computing resources for mask synthesis and tape-out in production environment

Chris Cork, Robert Lugg, Manoj Chacko, Shimon Levi

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5853, Photomask and Next-Generation Lithography Mask Technology XII; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.617132
Event: Photomask and Next Generation Lithography Mask Technology XII, 2005, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

With the exponential increase in output database size due to the aggressive optical proximity correction (OPC) and resolution enhancement technique (RET) required for deep sub-wavelength process nodes, the CPU time required for mask tape-out continues to increase significantly. For integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), this can impact the time-to-market for their products where even a few days delay could have a huge commercial impact and loss of market window opportunity. For foundries, a shorter turnaround time provides a competitive advantage in their demanding market, too slow could mean customers looking elsewhere for these services; while a fast turnaround may even command a higher price. With FAB turnaround of a mature, plain-vanilla CMOS process of around 20-30 days, a delay of several days in mask tapeout would contribute a significant fraction to the total time to deliver prototypes. Unlike silicon processing, masks tape-out time can be decreased by simply purchasing extra computing resources and software licenses. Mask tape-out groups are taking advantage of the ever-decreasing hardware cost and increasing power of commodity processors. The significant distributability inherent in some commercial Mask Synthesis software can be leveraged to address this critical business issue. Different implementations have different fractions of the code that cannot be parallelized and this affects the efficiency with which it scales, as is described by Amdahl’s law. Very few are efficient enough to allow the effective use of 1000’s of processors, enabling run times to drop from days to only minutes. What follows is a cost aware methodology to quantify the scalability of this class of software, and thus act as a guide to estimating the optimal investment in terms of hardware and software licenses.

Citation Download Citation

Chris Cork, Robert Lugg, Manoj Chacko, and Shimon Levi "An economic analysis for optimal distributed computing resources for mask synthesis and tape-out in production environment", Proc. SPIE 5853, Photomask and Next-Generation Lithography Mask Technology XII, (28 June 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.617132

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available