Out in Front: August 1, 1996

Cascade Design Automation's new Impact Memories module generators let you choose from 10 types of memories and create that memory in a choice of semiconductor processes. You can create single and multiport RAMs, including high-speed and power-down versions; diffusion- and metal-programmed ROMs; and FIFO memories. Impact Memories accesses more than 200 process rules to optimize a memory module in any of more than 80 chip processes.

You configure a memory by specifying parameters such as word width and depth, chip-enabling options, drive strengths, and aspect ratio. The generator then configures a memory block as large as 144 kbits. Larger memories, using a divided-word-line configuration, will be available later. Impact Memories produces a GDSII file for layout, Verilog or VHDL for simulation, Spice for verification, and timing data. Starting price for Impact Memories is $40,000.

—by Jim Lipman

Cascade Design Automation, Bellevue, WA. (206) 643-0200, fax (206) 649-7600 Circle No. 494