In today’s fast-paced world, computing technology has transitioned from being a luxury to a necessity in our day-to-day lives. With advancements like machine learning and the upcoming 5G mobile networks, the demand for high computing performance has skyrocketed. This surge has led to the development of more energy-efficient and cost-effective systems, such as “chiplets”, to support these cutting-edge applications.
Chiplets are essentially unpackaged dies that can be grouped together inside a chip package. Each chiplet is designed to perform a specific function, and multiple chiplets can be combined to create a cohesive computing unit. The concept behind chiplets revolves around having a menu of chiplets available in a library, which can then be assembled and interconnected to form a functional system.
With the increasing complexity and demand for on-package routing density in chiplet-based systems, issues related to signal and power integrity have become more prevalent. Jingtong Hu, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, pointed out the challenges posed by the intricate interchiplet serial links in terms of signal and power integrity. Hu emphasized the necessity for more efficient analysis and validation tools to ensure robust design practices.
To address these challenges, Hu and his team have developed SPIRAL, a comprehensive framework for signal-power integrity co-analysis of high-speed interchiplet serial links. Published as part of the 2024 29th Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference (ASP-DAC), SPIRAL employs machine-learning based transmitter models and impulse response-based models for channel and receiver analysis. By co-analyzing signal-power integrity, SPIRAL aims to improve the design and validation process for chiplet-based systems.
SPIRAL represents a significant advancement over existing simulation tools like the Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE). While SPICE is a widely-used tool for circuit design validation, it falls short when it comes to accurately analyzing chiplet technology due to its relatively new nature. Hu highlighted the importance of having specialized tools like SPIRAL to cater to the unique requirements of emerging technologies like chiplets in computing.
The evolution of chiplets in computing technology signifies a shift towards more modular, energy-efficient, and cost-effective systems. As the demand for high computing performance continues to rise, innovative frameworks like SPIRAL play a crucial role in enabling the design and validation of complex chiplet-based systems. With ongoing research and development in this field, the future of computing technology looks promising with the seamless integration of chiplets into diverse applications.
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