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Other CAD Tools >> Entry Tools >> Silvaco (Gateway, Expert, SmartSpice, SmartView ... ) - opinions
https://designers-guide.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1445528875

Message started by Tako on Oct 22^nd, 2015, 8:47am

Title: Silvaco (Gateway, Expert, SmartSpice, SmartView ... ) - opinions
Post by Tako on Oct 22^nd, 2015, 8:47am

Hi,

My company thinks about using Silvaco software (Gateway, Expert, SmartSpice, SmartView etc.) for IC design. Has anyone have experience with this EDA tool? What do you think about it? What are your opinions?

Any advantages/disadvantages comparing to other EDA tools (Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor/Tanner...)?

Title: Re: Silvaco (Gateway, Expert, SmartSpice, SmartView ... ) - opinions
Post by Murat H. Eskiyerli on Nov 4^th, 2015, 3:10am

I would also be interested in hearing the opinions on this matter. A couple of years back we had some trial licenses, but unfortunately could not spend too much time. In general, tools look promising, but TCO was not significantly cheaper than the alternatives, such as Synopsys Custom Designer flow. On the other hand, I think there could be more available PDKs than the Mentor/Synopsys, but not Cadence.

Title: Re: Silvaco (Gateway, Expert, SmartSpice, SmartView ... ) - opinions
Post by Tako on Nov 4^th, 2015, 4:20am

Hi Murat,

From the info I gathered, Silvaco has good opinions. Tools should be very intuitive, easy to use, easy to install and Silvaco has opinion to be good in pulling PDK's from foundries.

You'll find some general info about CAD/EDA IC simulators here:
-> http://www.mtcmos.com/ic-simulators/ . Take a look also on Sources section.

and short info about Silvaco here:
-> http://www.mtcmos.com/silvaco/

There is also one more opinion from experienced designer, but it is on the other forum and I do not know if I can give a link to it here.