Abstract
Today’s microprocessor design is one of the most complex and computationally intensive design processes. For overcoming the design challenges, the current chip design involves significant reuse of architectural and component designs and Computer Automated Design (CAD) tools. This begs the question how does the increased level of computer assisted automation and design coordination during chip design affect the range of design activities and their structure? In this study we examine this question by exploring the highly automated design process, often referred to as “physical synthesis” (PS) design approach to the more traditional “structured digital design” (SDD) approach. Our analysis indicates that the PS approach led to smaller and more frequent iterations while the level of iterative activity remained the same across design stages.
This paper is based on work supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation under grants VOSS-0943157, VOSS-0943010, VOSS-1121935 and VOSS-1120966. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. We would like to thank Nicholas Berente, Rob Kulanthinal, James Gaskin, Zhewei Zhang, and Omri Shiv for their contributions to the project.
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Choi, Y., Thummadi, B.V., Lyytinen, K., Yoo, Y. (2012). Analyzing Complex Design Processes: The Effects of Task Automation and Integration on Process Structure in Microprocessor Design. In: Helfert, M., Donnellan, B. (eds) Practical Aspects of Design Science. EDSS 2011. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 286. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33681-2_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33681-2_4
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