Giving “IP” the boot: Chiplets

I’ve never been a fan of the term “IP” as the way we describe pre-built blocks used in SOC design. “IP” stands for “Intellectual Property” and its use is not unique to chip design. There have been IP lawyers for years, protecting a range of intellectual property from animated films and books to manufacturing processes and secret formulas for soda pop and toothpaste. I’m currently attending the IEEE DATC Electronic Design Processes Workshop in Monterey and yesterday, NVIDIA’s Chris Malachowsky used the term “chiplets” as a synonym for “IP block” in his morning keynote speech. I’m sold. Can we get a groundswell here? (And a big shout out to my many new Twitter followers!)